Wife has a ‘14 maxima sv with 133k miles...check engine light came on...car was revving abnormally high while driving at higher speeds...plugged in my code reader...p1778 stepper motor...called a transmission mechanic...wanted to charge me $4800 for a new transmission...bought a new stepper motor and some ns2 fluid off eBay, watched some YouTube videos and replaced it myself...erased the code and took it for a test ride...ran fine...now I feel like I should sell to CarMax/carvana to unload it and get something else...wife wants to drive it longer...probably have to drive it a little longer to make sure the code is no longer in the system right?...I feel like it’s a ticking time bomb...anyone else done something similar...any advice is appreciated

 

Is this the first issue you have had with a 7yr old car? Or has this been one thing after another? My bride doesnt understand why I've kept my car for so long. My advice....happy wife, happy life. Meaning if it is running fine, keep it! I didnt see where you mentioned that you changed the external cvt filter.

 

Yea it’s the first major issue...I didn’t change the external filter only the internal one...I was planning on unloading it so I didn’t bother changing the filter...there wasn’t too much on the internal filter nor the magnets...it seems these Nissan cvt transmissions are known for dying somewhere over 100k miles

 

Change the external filter! Having a plugged filter is going to decrease oil pressure.

You dropped your CVT pan but cheaped out on the external filter....

 

He can change it out if they decide to keep it.

 

He can do the same for his engine oil filter then, too.

 

i was planning on selling it to CarMax/carvana after driving it a little while to make sure the code is cleared...if we keep it I can change the external transmission filter then...putting extra money into something you’re getting rid of doesn’t make much sense...I change engine oil filters ever oil change...lighten up Francis

 

Scribed

 

so what is the outcome?

 

Having same issue . Do I need to replace trans or replace stepper motor

 

If you have the stepper motor code, (P1778), just replace that part. It's a very easy job, while you have the trans pan removed, I would suggest you at least clean the internal mesh screen filter as well.

 

Thanks I appreciate the help.

 

Also can I drive with the stepper motor acting up or will it mess up transmission worse. I live in the boondocks and just had a new born and closest Walmart or grocery store is about 45 minutes away . Would it hurt to drive until I get stepper motor in