Just got back from the dealer after having my SE’s TCM replaced (03/00 build date), huge improvement over the previous one. I was a little concerned after hearing some of the comments about the replacement not doing much. I regret not buying the five speed (except when mired in Boston traffic), it no longer dwells at 6k rpm then rubber bands into second, much shorter dwell. Has been a busy week, added a Stillen intake, PIAA plasma lamps, all good. My dealer ordered the AE shift **** and sill plates, the driver side sill plates arrived, the left side are back ordered? What I want to know is, who out there ordered the left side only!!

 

Huge???man you must got a very sensitive butt, after replaced mine, i didnt' notice much difference..although slippage is reduced...

 

Sorry, I missed this the first time around... Exactly which Maximas are affected by this (I have a 2K SE auto), and I could check the date of manufacture on it tommorrow...

 

Well huge, maybe not, but certainly allot more than I expected after reading the posts here. The amount of time that the engine sits at redline is significantly reduced. I still wish I bought the five speed sometimes. And stop talking about my butt!

 

Where in Boston???

 

I didn't notice a humongous difference but there definitly is much firmer shift from 1st to 2nd. Gone is the soft mushy shift which makes it worthwhile to me.....I don't really redline it(I did while trying to prove the slippage) anymore so I haven't been able to confirm that part of it.

I too am in MA (North Shore)and wish I had bought a 5 spd. I very rarely drive in Boston and really don't ever drive in any stop and go traffic. After driving a stick for 15 years I'm actually a little bored with an automatic. I realize that some folks are displeased with their 5 spds due to the fuel cut and some other issues but I think the benefits of a car with this power and a 5spd outweigh these issues....

Then again I'm speaking from driving a 5spd for about 7 minutes during a test drive rather than owning one and driving one everyday.

Tom- the TSB came out in May 00 so probably any car built 04/00 and earlier have the older TCM. My car was a 04/00 build. If your car was built after 04/00 you can double check by having a tech hook up his consultant II and tell you what part # your TCM is. 3Y100 is the old one, 3Y101 is the newer one.

 

my car does that too it hangs out at red line for a couple of seconds that shoots on to 2nd all sloppy like. does that mean I get one of the TCM's free too. warrantee right?

 

You'll get it if they can prove it... that's the sucky part because they usually say, "everything's normal." Good luck with the fix because you'll need it.