My automatic transmission shifts hard in all gears all the time. I doubt that the lady that had it before me had the VB mod done.
What could it be? Trans going bad? No CEL.
(95 GXE, auto, 84K, will change ATF asap)

 

It could be you tranny or engine mounts. You might want to have them checked.

 

Possibly lack of ATF.

 

Something could be wrong with the line pressure sensor. If it malfunctions, it could make the transmission shift like it has the VB mod.

 

low on fluid..its ur tranny screaming for mercy.

 

What happens if you put too much ATF???

 

In case I need to add ATF - does anyone know what brand/grade AT fluid Nissan dealers use (I wouldn't like to mix different grades)?

 

maxeff- if you have a little bit too much its ok. if its way over..drain some out, and try to bolt on while all that fluid is gushing out.


zir- dealer ATF is overpriced. get the same grade of ATF as the one nissan recommends(dextron III) and you'll be just fine. i use vavoline(blue bottle, not the high milage red bottle) ATF for over 100,000 miles now. i drain/refill ~13,000miles though..

 

But what would happen if i put too much and how would i know if i put too much fluid because everytime i pull the stick out the thing i only see tranny fluid on the dead edge of the stick but i put in about 6 1/2 to 7 QT after i changed the gasket.

 

When checking your fluid, make sure it is warm (drive around for a little while). Leave engine running, on level surface, in park. Fluid, if new, will look mainly clear on the stick (it'll actually just look wet). Wipe off the stick, insert, then pull it out and check. I always do that 3 times or so just to make sure I'm getting a consistent reading. If it is anywhere in the cross-hatch area, it's good to go. If lower, add only a few ounces (4-6) at a time through the dipstick tube (funnel really helps). Drive around some more, then re-check.
If you put in 6 1/2 -7 quarts after changing the gasket, it may be over-filled. When I drained mine, it took exactly 4 1/2 quarts (I measured what came out). A little over full shouldn't hurt. I've heard that being really over-filled can blow seals, but I've never experienced it.

Dave

 

Thanks, i will do that but i let it drain like for 52 mins so everything came out. but when i did drain it filled up a 7 1/2 quart bucket and then i had to move that and drain more and that was from stock.
Trance

 

I have a similar problem, but instead of shifting hard in all gears, its only from first to second. I doubt it could be engine mounts, maybe ATF, any thoughts?

 

yeahh, i encounter the same problem, i was wondering what the problem was too, anyone??

anu

 

Cold, the Maxima tranny shifts hard 1st to 2nd. Once it warms up a bit, the shifts get smoother. Thats a sure sign that your fluid is at the end of it's life. Have it flushed out and possibly switched over to synthetic fluid. The shifts with synthetic fluid is a lill smoother.

 

if the line pressure was malfuntioning, wouldn't you get the CEL and flashing o/d light like with the drop resistor mod?