I have a '96 automatic (as you can probably tell) with 160k on it. At about 88k the transmission went out and I had it rebuilt by a local shop. After I got the bill I found maxima.org and have been doing my own maintenance since.

Here's the situation:
On occasion when I quickly accelerate to get into traffic and then need to quickly stop my car seems to "fall" out of gear. The actual shifter doesn't move, but the car seems to put itself into neutral. When I take my foot off the brake and try to accelerate the engine revs and sometimes pops itself back into gear. Other times when I notice it is out of gear before I hit the gas a quick shift from N back to D solves the problem.

I'm going to pull the codes tonite, but was wondering if anyone has experienced similar problems. If so, what was the fix?

Thanks.

 

Have you checked your tranny fluid lately?

 

Yep. Checked it last night after it happened. Looks good to me. I drained and replaced with synthetic about 10k ago.

 

check to see if u have code if not very possible mechanical tranny problem

 

I have the same problem except its not my tranny. my tranny ran perfect until i took out my motor and as soon as i put it back in the problem started. a couple of people told me it might be my cable came out of alignment and i have to have it adjusted. it only did it a few times right after a hard takeoff it would just go flat at a light. check your linkage that might be the problem.

 

i have the same exact problem..how so we adjust the auto tranny cable linkage?

 

i was told there is a pinhole that you have to line up when adjusting the cable. when i put the motor back in i just put the cable on. i have no idea how to correct it properly. does your car go into drive without hitting the brake.

 

i have to rev it a little to kick back into drive, or it might take up to 10 seconds to kick back into drive without revving.i am getting code 4-5. i know someone else that has this problem as well and i dont think he has a cel..these damn nissan trannies make me never want to get a maxima again

 

CEL will not tell you whats wrong with your transmission. You need to pull the tranny codes from the tranny controller, via the O/D button.

Here's how to do it.

Warm engine up to operating temp
Turn ignition off, wait 5 seconds
Turn ignition to the ACC position
Put the O/D switch in the on position (default)
Move the shift lever to P position
(the above process is basically turning your car off)
Turn the ignition to the ON position, Don't start the engine! The O/D OFF light should come on for about 2 seconds.
If the O/D light does not come on, there is a problem with the transaxle controller.
If the O/D light comes on, proceed as follows:
Turn the ignition switch to OFF
Turn the ignition switch to ON, Don't start the engine!
Move the shift indicator to D
Turn the ignition switch to OFF
Put the O/D switch in the OFF position
Turn the ignition switch to ON position,
wait at least 2 seconds and move the shift lever to the 2 position.
Put the O/D switch in the ON position
Move the shfit lever to the 1 position
Put the O/D switch in the OFF position
Depress the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and release it.
The transalex controller is now in output mode and should display any stored trouble codes by flashing the O/D OFF indicator.

If all monitored circuits are operating correctly you should see one long flash followed by onle long pause, followed by ten short flashes of equal duration with short pauses of equal duration in between.

Each trouble code is represented by the position of a long flash in the ten-consecutive flash sequence. Example, if the 2nd flash of the ten flashes is long, the vehicle speed sensor circuit is shorted or disconnected. There are 10 possible codes and 3 alternate codes that can be displayed, some pertaining to specific years.

Performing the ECU reset procedure will erase transmission codes in the transaxle controller.

 

btw if anyone needs quick future reference, this is in the Haynes manual, thanks for the writeup Tom

 

Well, chalk this one up to a stupid mistake. I should've known.

Went home, pulled out the Chilton and read up. I was checking the fluid with the car not running.

Chilton says (basic idea):
Run car to normal operating temp (No stop and go city driving or long distance)
Park car on level surface while running
With foot on brake put shifter through all gears ending in P
Pull dipstick, wipe, repeat

When I finally checked it the CORRECT way it was way low. Gotta pick up some mobil 1 syn ATF today...

Hopefully this helps someone else.