Hi, i got a 1994 Maxima GXE - automatic... i was leaving my school tonight after working on this project, and as i took the turn, i started accelerating, and i wasnt even pounding it, and all of a sudden, when it shifted from 1st to 2nd gear i heard a big clunk.... and now i cant get outta first gear, when u put on the gas the rpms will fly to like 5000; reverse doesnt even work.... i had to drive home in first gear, idling. My car has 75,000 miles on it, and it seems awfully early for the tranny to be goin on the car (unless the ppl that had it before me beat on it). I had my car shifting on the "power setting" can anyone tell me if that is bad for the car to have it in that gear? cuz i have noticed it shifts hard when its in power, but i like the acceleration i get outta it... anyways if anyone has any comments or suggestions, plz post, thx

 

well you've just experienced what I went through 3 times!! your particular symptoms happened on my second rebuild last summer. classic symptoms of the DYING TRANNY!! all there is to say is you now have to spend $1500-2500 if you want to replace this thing and GET A TRANS COOLER($50) installed with the new rebuild. also ask and see if the company you use to get the rebuild can "recalibrate" your trannys valve body with a Trans-GO shift kit, it'll prolong your trannys life along with the cooler! and "P" mode won't hurt, there are guys out there that have run for years in "P" mode without any probs!

 

New or rebuilt tranny should have warranty so make sure you get a good one

 

Same **** happened to me when my tranny died... I was stuck in 1st gear, then eventually got to 2nd on the freeway, and that was as far as I can do.. It died a few times on intersections and stuff, sometimes Drive wasn't working either.. That does sound like too early for the tranny to be going but these ****ing Nissan automatics suck!! Mine died at 86k. Now up to 101k, seems to be going okay.. 1,200$ for the rebuilt with 6 month warranty. That was the cheapest I can find.

 

check with Aamco, I've heard that they have financing available on their rebuilds.

 

thanks for the tip da-max, im gonna ask my mechanic about those things u mentioned... as for Aamco.... dont even get me started.... at least aroun where i live, those people dont know what they are doing. I have too many stories to tell.. anyways i go to my dad's mechanic who works on all of our cars and he knows what hes doin so we get a reliable job done on it

 

I've got 112K on an original automatic. Is it worth it to slap on a transmission cooler and Trans-Go kit? Does anyone have one of these Trans-Go deals? Any further info?

Thanks

 

That is exactly what happened to me. I purchased my 94 GXE auto in July. It was in perfect condition with 75,000 miles. My friend has a 3rd and 4th gen and after driving them both I was sold. I purchased the car for 7000 and was excited for the deal I thought I had gotten. 75 miles later the exact same thing happened. I got in the car one day and it wouldn’t shift out of 1st gear. My reverse also didn't work. I really wanted this car but didn’t want to pay $2500 for a new tranny. After talking with the seller he gave me an extra $1000 to help pay for a new tranny. In the end it worked out. Ended up payin $6000 for a perfect 94 Max, and then $2400 for a new tranny. Luckly my uncle used to be a mechanic for Nissan and installed it for free. I love my car but it seems that the trannys are ready to go at about 75,000-100,000 miles. My uncle said that the main problem that he discover when working on the 3rd gen Maxes was the tranny other then that they are great. Sorry to hear about your tranny I know how you feel.

 

it is definently worth it to get the cooler. As for the Trans-Go kit it would be of even MORE of a benefit, BUT unless you're a serious DIY, expect a tranny shop to charge some some $$$ for the job unless one of the guys on here who have done it would partake in the task for less money or some cases of beer ! for a little more info on the Trans-Go kit and its benefits go here--> Click!!

 

Man my tranny just went out two days ago so now Im freaking screwed. I loved my car and I still do but the little things are bugging me now. I guess it was comming though because of all the maxima tranny problems I've heard about and because it had 148,000 miles. I just want to know whats the best option for me...should I get it off a tranny from another 3rd gen or should I get a rebuilt one...I dont know.

 

Hi guys, i got my tranny fixed.... cost $1800 for my auto to get rebuilt and it came with a 12000 mile 1yr warranty. I only got one problem with it.... when it shifts from first gear to 2nd, it takes about 2 seconds to shift.... (i dont know if you guys think thats alot but i do), my original tranny shifted like a charm... im gonna bring it back to the mechanic and see if he can fix it. Any comments or tips?

 

The tranny that comes with the vg engine has problems with the solenoid pack and that is something that can be repaced fairly easily. Just not being able to shift doesnt mean the tranny is blown not unless u beat on it and have burnt up the bands. there is a transmission diagnostic mode that you can do yourself and also check to see if the solenoids are blown.

 

"I only got one problem with it.... when it shifts from first gear to 2nd, it takes about 2 seconds to shift.... "

No, this is not right. Make sure it shifts right. Did they put in a transmission cooler? If they didn't that new trans won't last long.

 

wow my 89 has 190,000 on it and original tranny. never makes a single bad noise or anything