I have a 1992 Maxima SE with an automatic transmission.

I am trying to diagnose a problem which I believe originates in the transmission. Several weeks ago, I started feeling the transmission "slip" when I would accelerate. I inspected the ATF, and found the ATF dipstick bone dry. After adding ATF the problem has persisted, and it's gotten worse since then, to the point that at highway speeds the car bucks almost constantly. It never slips for more than, say, half a second at a time, but it will do this whenever I am maintaining or increasing my speed.

The reason I have a question is that during each "slip" of the transmission, the tach needle goes downward, not upward. I would think that if the transmission disengaged for a second, the engine would rev more freely, and therefore the tach needle would jump upward. Am I wrong in diagnosing this as a transmission problem?

If it's a transmission problem then I am buying and using a rebuild kit. If not...?

Thanks for the help.

 

I believe that your tranny is going to bite the big one...due to the fact that you did not maintain it...which means you likely have a leak in the case. As far as the problem you're having...that seems like it might be engine related...how may miles on the car and have you ever cleaned the throttle body? changed the spark plugs?

 

I acquired this car as a hand-me-down last fall. Not sure about the mileage (the speedometer stopped working at 83K) but I am guessing about 130K. The previous owner (my girlfriend's mom) had a dishonest mechanic who wanted this machine to die.

As far as the throttle/plugs, I would guess that it's unrelated to these -- otherwise it would buck all the time (as opposed to only when I'm accelerating). I haven't looked at either though -- I planned to do plugs/wires when I do the tranny and shocks very soon.

Oh yeah -- the problem occurs once the vehicle warms up. The first few minutes of the day are no problem.

 

Ok...well first thing...our maximas have coil packs not wires..but I would suggest you start with the cheapest thing, which would be a good tune up
...if it was the tranny u would notice it all the time...so hence its probably engine related.

 

Try the diagnostic feature that came with auto trannies for your car...

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=140680

 

same ting happen to me, i tink one of ma seals is gone