Can a rock break your tranny?
08-02-2007, 02:07 AM
#1
Can a rock break your tranny?
So my transmission on two seperate occasions did a really bad thing. It would slip and rev up 2-3k and then violantly slam into gear. There are no codes and the fluid is fine. The car only has 18k on it. The only thing I can think of is a rock a ran over in a constuction site yesterday that made a huge noise under my car. Any thoughts on what it could have hit?
08-02-2007, 08:34 AM
#2
Originally Posted by Nietzsche
So my transmission on two seperate occasions did a really bad thing. It would slip and rev up 2-3k and then violantly slam into gear. There are no codes and the fluid is fine. The car only has 18k on it. The only thing I can think of is a rock a ran over in a constuction site yesterday that made a huge noise under my car. Any thoughts on what it could have hit?
myselfI definitely hope that is not the case though.
08-02-2007, 11:58 AM
#5
depends on HOW HARD you hit it...
if there is no damage to the case ... take it to nissan and tell them its slipping...
if there is damage... they prob wont fix it... but who knows...
Good luck..
if there is no damage to the case ... take it to nissan and tell them its slipping...
if there is damage... they prob wont fix it... but who knows...
Good luck..
08-02-2007, 12:10 PM
#6
Newbie just Registered
Join Date: May 2005
Location: LA/OC, CA
Posts: 2,795
I hit a metal piece on the road almost 2 years ago that took out the lower sensor and made a samll dent in the casing, but the transmission still works fine and still shifts pretty smooth. I think these tranies are bullet proof, from external causes. Maybe a service might help.
08-02-2007, 02:46 PM
#8
Took it in and they found nothing, not a surprise. I had a huge scrape on the subframe but the tranny was untouched. I guess I'll just let it go for now, 40k of warranty is good piece of mind.
08-02-2007, 06:12 PM
#9
torque converter maybe? don't know how it would get damaged, especially if all you hit was the frame/subframe.. is the shifter electronic or mechanical? (I don't know much about auto's in our cars) any way for something to make it think it's in neutral briefly?
08-04-2007, 08:57 AM
#10
The tranny is controlled electronically. Based on various sensor input, the TCM will shift the tranny through the gears. The service manual states that most intermittent conditions are cause by poor electrical connections (loose/rust). The AT section has a lot of fancy tests to measure shifting time, stall functions, etc.
Un-timely shifting is more annoying that harmfull but yours, from slip to gear at 3k, is a recipe for disaster. You said 'no code, oil is fine'. The ECM may have codes but no SES light. Did you or the dealer connect the car to an OBD-II reader? Oil is fine? The level ! You could get a kit from Blackstone to get the tranny oil analyzed (they are pretty quick). You need 3-4 ounces from the front plug. Could replace the oil anyway (3 quarts for 5sp) and see if the problem goes away.
I hope your service order clearly states the tranny upshift problem with a large shock and not a ‘rock’ problem. That is just helping them dump the responsibility onto YOU. The tranny has a lot of internal sensors to protect itself, to prevent it from doing ‘inappropriate’ shifting and self destruct. IMO, the fail safes are not working. That would make me nervous. Did the dealer only perform a visual check or were there a series of line pressure tests and other mechanical tests? Transmissions are expensive……
Un-timely shifting is more annoying that harmfull but yours, from slip to gear at 3k, is a recipe for disaster. You said 'no code, oil is fine'. The ECM may have codes but no SES light. Did you or the dealer connect the car to an OBD-II reader? Oil is fine? The level ! You could get a kit from Blackstone to get the tranny oil analyzed (they are pretty quick). You need 3-4 ounces from the front plug. Could replace the oil anyway (3 quarts for 5sp) and see if the problem goes away.
I hope your service order clearly states the tranny upshift problem with a large shock and not a ‘rock’ problem. That is just helping them dump the responsibility onto YOU. The tranny has a lot of internal sensors to protect itself, to prevent it from doing ‘inappropriate’ shifting and self destruct. IMO, the fail safes are not working. That would make me nervous. Did the dealer only perform a visual check or were there a series of line pressure tests and other mechanical tests? Transmissions are expensive……
08-04-2007, 11:31 AM
#11
The report stated slippage and shock, no mention of the rock. The ECU had no codes stored, the problems couldn't be repeated. Nothing outside of a test drive, visual, and code pull. They are not going to do full line tests unless the can replicate something.
08-05-2007, 05:26 PM
#13
Originally Posted by Nietzsche
The report stated slippage and shock, no mention of the rock. The ECU had no codes stored, the problems couldn't be repeated. Nothing outside of a test drive, visual, and code pull. They are not going to do full line tests unless the can replicate something.
08-05-2007, 10:52 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: a meadow south of Atlanta
Posts: 8,143
Nietzsche - I would be very surprised if the rock thing is involved, especially since there is no contact visible on the tranny housing. As madmik said, you don't want your tranny slipping, the revs jumping a thor or two, then the tranny gripping again with a jerk. Your tranny won't last long if that persists.
With 18K on the odo, this is an unacceptable situation. If the problem does not happen again, you are at a disadvantage in dealing with the service department, and may have to live with worrying about it. At least you have the problem 'on record' while still under warranty.
If it does happen again, I would be right back at the dealer, and tell him you can't be expected to be able to reproduce a problem that has happened three times in 18K while he is watching. Tell him that this is a very clear problem that deeply concerns you, causes your driving to be anxiety-filled, and is not the experience Nissan has promised Maxima owners. Tell him that if he cannot act on his own, then he needs to take this higher up until he finds someone willing to address the problem.
With 18K on the odo, this is an unacceptable situation. If the problem does not happen again, you are at a disadvantage in dealing with the service department, and may have to live with worrying about it. At least you have the problem 'on record' while still under warranty.
If it does happen again, I would be right back at the dealer, and tell him you can't be expected to be able to reproduce a problem that has happened three times in 18K while he is watching. Tell him that this is a very clear problem that deeply concerns you, causes your driving to be anxiety-filled, and is not the experience Nissan has promised Maxima owners. Tell him that if he cannot act on his own, then he needs to take this higher up until he finds someone willing to address the problem.
08-06-2007, 12:06 AM
#15
The car has been perfect the last few days, I used to work for the dealer so I'm not concerned with being taken care of. I'm still friends with the GM and most of the staff. If it does rear its head again I'll be there bright and early.
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