Max_Gator-

I think I may have the VIAS problem that you did, although mine appears to be intermitent. Sometimes above 5K, the car pulls very hard. Other times, particularly in 2nd and 3rd, the car just seems to be making noise above 5K. It also seems to take forever for the engine to go from 5K to redline. When the car seems to be running fine, the tach shoots from 5K to redline.

I may just be imagining it, but I noticed the 2nd and 3rd gear lack of power before I read any of your posts. Now I'm paranoid.

I don't have a baseline dyno. I have 38K miles. First gear stll feels as quick as ever, and I haven't tried to go above 5K in 4th (Officer, I was speeding so I could test my VIAS ).

Anyway, my question is this: I saw in your original post the VIAS Diagnostic Procedure. If I take that procedure to my dealer and pay them to perform it, will they be able to determine if my VIAS system is malfunctioning? I don't want to have to dyno, pay to have the unit replaced, and then dyno again to prove it was a malfunctioning VIAS. Even if I had hard evidence, I don't think Nissan would reimburse me for the repair and I have a funny feeling it won't be covered under the 60K powertrain warranty.

I need to get a dyno done to see if it looks like your "low power" run, but I'm hoping the diagnostic is the sure fire way to go.

Thanks for the help!

 

hope u dun mind if u put my comments here....I dont have VIAS problem but I did read thru the entire dicussion about it and I did the test as well.

1.have u done a DIY test? have someone to rev it to 5k @ N and see if the VIAS valve will open? If u dunno the location, I will be happy to show you...took me a few times to find out.

2.max_gator's situation is different and complicated. he's DIY test indicate the the valve switch was open when the engine runs above 5k...however the VIAS didnt kicked in. He had to run another maxima side by side and disable the VIAS to locate the problem.

3.Nissan techs will check for u....but their diagnostic is the same as our DIY test...if the switch opens...then u shouldnt have a problem. That's why it took soo much time and efforts for max_gator to persuade them the problem does exist.

alright...hope I can help..let me know if u need hlep on finding the switch...

 

I don't mind the input...I appreciate it!!!

I have not completeed the DIY test. I couldn't find the valve

I think you hit the heart of my question though. The Diagnostic that is decsribed in the other threads is not a fool proof way to determine the existence of a problem. I can't imagine going through the steps Max_Gator did. I think I would prefer a root canal without without novacaine!

 

alright...just did a little art work.

here is the link (geocities, cut and paste the URL to another browser)
http://www.geocities.com/doctorkiwi3238/vias-switch.jpg

alright...good luck.

I think the ideal test will by dyno...where u can see the line moves down after reaching 5k rpm....yup a painless root canal without any sorts of happy drugs. but may cost u someting.

 

Link isn't working...thanks for the help!

 

cut and paste the link and paste it onto a new browser..

if it doesn work....keep hitting refresh.