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SES light, bad tranny shift & "P78" code?

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Old Aug 15, 2012 | 11:19 AM
  #1  
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SES light, bad tranny shift & "P78" code?

Hey all... driving in traffic this morning my max was acting up (the tranny issue nightmare) and she shifted REALLY hard between 2/3 and the SES light popped on and she wouldn't accelerate or shift. Fail safe mode, I guess? Limped her to work at about 30 mph in Atlanta traffic. Took her down to the AAMCO across the street a few ago and they have pulled a code "P78" which he described as a "bad shift code"? I don't know anything about codes and I'm not finding this code with Dr. Google. He said he reset it and she's driving like her normal bad-shifting self. He said they get about 5 or so max's in the shop with bad tranny's a month and is aware of the solenoid body replacement as a "fix"... said he'd be happy to get her in the shop and go over the tranny (no cost) and see if she's a candidate for the swap or if there's more damage to the tranny.

Guess who's new car shopping this weekend.
Old Aug 15, 2012 | 02:18 PM
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Originally Posted by kdmall
Hey all... driving in traffic this morning my max was acting up (the tranny issue nightmare) and she shifted REALLY hard between 2/3 and the SES light popped on and she wouldn't accelerate or shift. Fail safe mode, I guess? Limped her to work at about 30 mph in Atlanta traffic. Took her down to the AAMCO across the street a few ago and they have pulled a code "P78" which he described as a "bad shift code"? I don't know anything about codes and I'm not finding this code with Dr. Google. He said he reset it and she's driving like her normal bad-shifting self. He said they get about 5 or so max's in the shop with bad tranny's a month and is aware of the solenoid body replacement as a "fix"... said he'd be happy to get her in the shop and go over the tranny (no cost) and see if she's a candidate for the swap or if there's more damage to the tranny.

Guess who's new car shopping this weekend.
I guess the code pulled is P0780. You need a new valve body. So much on this in the sticky
http://forums.maxima.org/6th-generat...ssion-fix.html
Old Aug 15, 2012 | 02:20 PM
  #3  
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Originally Posted by kdmall
Hey all... driving in traffic this morning my max was acting up (the tranny issue nightmare) and she shifted REALLY hard between 2/3 and the SES light popped on and she wouldn't accelerate or shift. Fail safe mode, I guess? Limped her to work at about 30 mph in Atlanta traffic. Took her down to the AAMCO across the street a few ago and they have pulled a code "P78" which he described as a "bad shift code"? I don't know anything about codes and I'm not finding this code with Dr. Google. He said he reset it and she's driving like her normal bad-shifting self. He said they get about 5 or so max's in the shop with bad tranny's a month and is aware of the solenoid body replacement as a "fix"... said he'd be happy to get her in the shop and go over the tranny (no cost) and see if she's a candidate for the swap or if there's more damage to the tranny.

Guess who's new car shopping this weekend.
The code was likely P0780, which indicates an issue with your valve body. Is this the first time that the car has given you this problem?

Sometimes when the car enters failsafe mode, it may also have faulty camshaft position sensors.
Old Aug 16, 2012 | 06:26 AM
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This was the first time the SES light has come on and she went into the failsafe mode. The shifting issue has been ongoing since Jan/Feb. I've been trying to save up the $$ to either get it fixed or just bite the bullet and use that money towards a new car.

About the code, all the guy said was "P 78" so I have no idea. He called it a "bad shift code"? No clue really what that means.
Old Aug 16, 2012 | 10:03 AM
  #5  
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Originally Posted by kdmall
This was the first time the SES light has come on and she went into the failsafe mode. The shifting issue has been ongoing since Jan/Feb. I've been trying to save up the $$ to either get it fixed or just bite the bullet and use that money towards a new car.

About the code, all the guy said was "P 78" so I have no idea. He called it a "bad shift code"? No clue really what that means.
Here are the main points of a TSB issued by Nissan in 2011

NTB11-035 April 7, 2011
2004 – 2006 MAXIMA; 5-SPEED A/T SHIFT ISSUES
APPLIED VEHICLE: 2004 – 2006 Maxima (A34)
APPLIED TRANSMISSION: RE5F22A 5-speed A/T
IF YOU CONFIRM: Harsh 1-2 and / or 3-4 upshifts during moderate acceleration from a stop and / or
Harsh 4-3 and / or 2-1 downshifts when slowing to a stop.
Are any one or more of the following DTCs stored in ENGINE or TRANSMISSION: P0731 through P0736; P0780
Replace the control valve assembly (valve body).

Now, does this throw light on your issue?
Old Aug 16, 2012 | 01:30 PM
  #6  
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Originally Posted by Costee

Now, does this throw light on your issue?
lol looks like another victim
Old Aug 16, 2012 | 08:30 PM
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Damn lol .Just get a new valve body I replaced mine in Feb and never looked back .
Old Aug 18, 2012 | 10:06 AM
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PO780 is the code.

AAMCO gave me their diagnosis. New valve body ($1100) and a rebuild because the fluid smells burnt. Said they'll replace all the "soft parts"... Est total cost $3500.
Old Aug 18, 2012 | 12:54 PM
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From: Lagos, Nigeria
Originally Posted by kdmall
PO780 is the code.

AAMCO gave me their diagnosis. New valve body ($1100) and a rebuild because the fluid smells burnt. Said they'll replace all the "soft parts"... Est total cost $3500.
Rip off!
Old Aug 19, 2012 | 09:46 AM
  #10  
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Just get the valve body trust us . Oh and Costee you were right about the re learn after the valve body my old one was bad .
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