Hello all,
I hope you can help this newbie to this forum?!
My name is Ron and why new to this forum, I have
45 years with cars. Recently my 2007 Maxima
With 106k on the odometer started running weird.
It started when cold only the cvt trans started bogging down
Like it was in high gear and when hitting the brakes
Would react like on ice with ABS noises on
All 4 wheels and the trans would keep going
When stopping. Once warmed up it would run
ok. I brought it in to my my mechanic/ friend
To have it scanned. He told me it had wheel
Sensor and trans codes present.
He recommended taking it in to the dealer since
The Cvt warranty was extended to 120k.
The dealer called to tell me the trans had failed
But it was not covered under warranty because
We had not used Nissan cvt fluid. We had changed
It using Valvoline CVT certified for use in the
NS-2 Nissans.
More to the story----ronvb

 

To get to the heart of the problem I will continue-- So i pulled the car and had it brought to an trans shop and they rebuilt the trans and returned the car but check engine lights were on. He sent out a Diagnostics specialist but he spent 3 hrs reprogramming and the car still runs the same when cold .
Anybody have any ideas to fix this once and for all??
Thanks,
Sorry for the long winded post-
ronvb

 

The symptoms you are having is because you have to replace the rear ABS sensors. This is a well documented problem and there is a lot of posts about it. The problem was not with the transmission. The dealer originally thought it was my CVT as well but after further research they realized it was the commonly occuring problem with the passenger rear ABS sensor getting all cruddy and dirty. Doesn't cost too much to have it replaced.

 

[QUOTE=mvodnansky;8887290]The symptoms you are having is because you have to replace the rear ABS sensors. This is a well documented problem and there is a lot of posts about it. The problem was not with the transmission. The dealer originally thought it was my CVT as well but after further research they realized it was the commonly occuring problem with the passenger rear ABS sensor getting all cruddy and dirty. Doesn't cost too much to have it replaced.[/QUOTE

It did show codes in the wheel sensors and while driving with the scanner on each wheel sensor was showing a different speed. And we already had the trans rebuilt!!
Thanks for your reply I appreciate the help. Was it just the rr sensor on yours?
ronvb

 

[QUOTE=ronvb;8887453]It was just the rear passenger side. Replaced it and the car drove like new. It was a design flaw on that side that was notorious for rust and dirt build-up causing the symptoms you are describing in your car.

 

Ok trans rebuilt and rear sensors replaced no check lights on now and
No codes present on scan. Had Nissan check for issues and they show none.
But still having drivability issues!!! Please help with this problem

Trans is downshifting by itself at speeds 30-45 mph.tach goes from 1500 to 2100 and back
Down again some times it will do it several times in a row! This happens when it reaches right bfore warm up point before 1/2 way on temp guage. No codes stored - Nissan cant figure out and I am struggling to fix this car. Anyone have any clue on what it can be??
Thanks in advane
Ronvb

 

If I were assuming the rear ABS problem was fixed using the TSB procedure that was called for on that problem, I would have to consider that there may now be an issue with the CVT. It sounds strange that both these issues are happening at the same time but I guess I would have to chalk that up to coincidence. I have never heard of this other trans fluid and I wouldn't have used it, but we are past that now. I would suggest going to a different dealer and get a new tech to diagnose it. You could also drive it like you stole it and let the car tell you what is really wrong!!!!

 

I have had 3 different techs look at it and they come back with trans is ok but maybe throttle body sensor or dash ground is bad. Tried the throttle body sensor and no change. This weekend we will take it out with scanner and try to nail code as it happens.
Open to all or any suggestions , similar experiences?
Thanks
Ronvb

 

Could be your MAF sensor.

But it definitely sounds like the ABS issue. I've been dealing with this for almost 2 years. A easy way to see if its the ABS is to pull the 10 amp fuse in fuse box on the passenger side under the engine plastic.

Your ABS, traction, slip lights will be on and speedo won't work but you'll be able to drive the car.

 

Great point! I didn't even think about the MAF but it could FOR SURE cause these symptoms. I had one go bad in my last car that caused symptoms like this. As for pulling the fuse, do it, it's a great way to isolate the problem and you won't hurt anything by pulling it out to check the ABS.

 

Hmm We tried a MAF early on when the ABS issues started
It made no difference.Rr hub and wheel sensir replaced and LR sensor too. I would think MAF and AbS would trigger lights or code to come up?? If ABS related would it be a sensor or module to be replaced? Maybe it is MAF again?
Will see if anything pops up with scanner on while driving at 30-45 mph this Saturday??
Any other ideas?
Thanks
Ronvb

 

If the fluid used was the same SPEC then they can't deny warranty service regardless of what name it has on it. Was your valvoline fluid within spec? Please post the name of the dealership because I and others do not want to go there because of bad customer service described here.

 

We used Valvoline CVT trans fluid part # 705233.
But the dealer said they found some red fluid in the trans and therefore the fluid was contaminated and not covered under warranty.

 

What does that mean? Is cvt fluid a diff. color? I don't have much experience with cvt's.

 

The fluid fir this vehicle uses a green fluid Ns-2 trans.
Valvoline was clearish- green. They said somewhere someone must have put a red fluid in.
But we did not use anything but the Valvoline 705233!
It just seemed like a way to get out if honoring the extended warranty.
Either way we are past that now and trying to diagnose the current problem.
Thanks
Ronvb

 

That's horrible.

 

Yep like 4000 dollars horrible.

 

Did you try pulling the 10 amp ABS fuse?

This would be a very easy way to isolate the problem from the ABS.

 

Tried maf sensor today ran stronger but still have issues of it downshifting @ 30-45 mph. It goes from 1500 rpm to 2100 rpm and back down to 1500 in seconds.
Pulled fuse to ABS and car ran well no issues and had more power on low end too. Next we will try tp pull wite from ABS actuator and run again with scanner.
Thanks guys for idea of pulling ABS fuse!!
We are getting close to solving this problem!
Please post any other ideas related to ABS as well as I dont want to just throw $450 dollars at it for nothing for an actuator.
Thanks
Ronvb

 

I seriously have been down this road for way too long.

I know all about this crap.

I actually just replaced both sensors yesterday along with new rear hub assemblies, just to be safe. So far its been running ok.

If you haven't replaced the sensors yet, be prepared for the bolt that holds them in to brake. You may have to drill and tap the hole. Also make sure the new sensor is straight when you put it in. Everything is aluminum and strips easily.

 

Bootz trans and both rear sensors replaced months ago.

 

Right rear hub also

 

Does anyone know of related parts to ABS controller that could cause these auto downshifts That are driving me crazy?I would hate to have to replace whole actuator/ controller if not needed?
Anyone?
Thanks in advance,
Ronvb

 

I'm telling you… I went through the exact same thing.

At about 8 sec watch the RPMs.


Its definitely the speed sensors. They are getting a funny reading. My car was doing this while the mechanic had the scanner hooked up and it showed normal readings.

I replaced the sensors and it was good for awhile then it started doing this. Now both sensors are replaced again with new hubs. So far so good.

 

Geez Bootz
How many times are we to replace these sensors?
My car has been in the shop so to speak since November on and off and hardly driven by me?
Are you continually replacing the RR sensor or all 4?
Thanks
Ronvb

 

Haha. I know man.

I've only replaced the rear twice. I replaced both rears hubs too partly outta frustration and just wanted to start fresh again.
I think I messed one up when I installed it the first time. But it's ridiculous how easy they get dirty and start to act up again.

I'm hoping I've finally taken care of this crap.

 

I was wondering if cam sensors could have something to do with this? I have seen other posts with similar symptoms?
Thanks
Ronvb

 

All fixed runs like a rocket once again!
Thanks to all for the help!

 

what ended up being the fix

 

[QUOTE=ronvb;8887453]

 

Replaced 2 front wheel sensors