Hey I'm new to this but I've been having problems with my 05 Maxima SL with tranny and shifting. I took it in to auto body and they say I need a new valve body, and new one costs about 1000 from Nissan. Plus labor and fluids around 1600 total. I have a close family member who claims can do it himself for around 700 or so, but wanted some opinions on if I should go with aftermarket or factory? Please help thx

 

Age old dilemma, friend or shop. First off, how well do you believe the valve body diagnosis? If you ask your "close family member" to replace the valve body and it doesn't fix your problem, who do you blame? Your close family member who did exactly what you asked them to do or yourself for telling him to replace a specific part that was not the problem?

If you are certain that the valve body is the problem AND you trust the abilities of this close family member, go for it.

However, I really do question the bad valve body diagnosis. The valve body is a chunk of metal with holes and tunnels drilled in it. Without someone having effed with it, how does something like this go bad?

Since you didn't mention any exact symptoms, my first wild guess would be the shift solenoids. Another guess - the TCM (Transmission Control Module).

Is your check engine light on? Does your check engine light work? Maybe just go to an auto parts store and ask them to read the codes. They do it for free, except maybe California.

After you accumulate all the information, post in the 6th gen forum where you will have more experts reading your post.

 

Thank you for your insights, I took it to a transmission shop in CA where I live, and they did tests on it over a couple days, shifting problems from 1st-3rd gear I believe, and when coming to a stop really bad kick when it finally gets to 1st gear. Anyways they did tests and said forsure 100% valve body needs to be replaced.

Check engine light has been on, and I got it read by friends who have the equipment to check, and got a reading for bad catalytic converter bank 1, I think the code was P0420. But after having it in the shop and the owner doing tests, he had told me that the transmission was not the problem, that it was 100% valve body and that I need to get the Nissan one and not aftermarket b/c aftermarket ones don't fix the problem and if it does, it will need to be replaced again and again.

 

Visit the 6th Gen section ,,,,HUGE problem


http://forums.maxima.org/6th-generat...ssion-fix.html

 

I learned something myself, but I got something right.

 

is there a phone # where I can speak to someone more directly? Having trouble finding the information I need. Thank you

 

hey wondering if you had the same issue, same car or did u just find this information? Basically I found out my valve body is the problem, but should I have the autobody do the work they quoted me for around $1615, or can I get a reliable/fixable aftermarket part if available?

 

It is based upon you how to judge whether or not the ‘family member’ is experienced or certified with working on automobiles. If you have any previous records or have personally seen his work then it might be worth taking the risk.

The quote which Nissan has given you i.e. 1000 is quite high considering the fact you can get a complete tranny for around 1300 albeit used. If you ever change your mind for a transmission change, do check out http://www.automotix.net/usedtransmi...inventory.html for used spares and more.