I had a used tranny installed in May/08 and at the end of August the tranny just stopped working, meaning the car would rev but no go in any gear. The tranny oil level was showing high and if I let the car sit for 5 or 10 minutes with the engine off and then after re-starting the engine the tranny was good for about 20 or 30 yards and then stop working again. It was as if the torque converter wasn't getting oil. Now, here's the strange part, if I disconnect the battery and allow the computer to reset itself then the tranny will work with no problem until I get it up to highway speed then it cuts out again. Is there a solenoid I should be testing or has anyone had a similar problem with a fix?

Modified by jwallan at 5:50 AM 10/25/2008
Modified by jwallan at 5:55 AM 10/25/2008

jwallan wrote:I had a used tranny installed in May/08 and at the end of August the tranny just stopped working, meaning the car would rev but no go in any gear. The tranny oil level was showing high and if I let the car sit for 5 or 10 minutes with the engine off and then after re-starting the engine the tranny was good for about 20 or 30 yards and then stop working again. It was as if the torque converter wasn't getting oil. Now, here's the strange part, if I disconnect the battery and allow the computer to reset itself then the tranny will work with no problem until I get it up to highway speed then it cuts out again. Is there a solenoid I should be testing or has anyone had a similar problem with a fix?

Modified by jwallan at 5:50 AM 10/25/2008

Modified by jwallan at 5:55 AM 10/25/2008

sounds like the problem i had/still have. i've replaced solenoid and put a used TCM in with (what i was told) 10k miles. cars doing ok - still get the problem here and there. zerothread?id=349433

Hi Bpomps...thx for you input...I read the thread you attached and your symptoms certainly parallel mine to a certain extent...one major difference is the year of the cars - mine is a 1994 SOHC. What seems really strange with my problem is after disconnecting the battery for a while (over-nite) one of the computers, either the TCU or ECU resets itself and the tranny is good to go until I get it up to highway speed (~100 km/hr) and then it goes into the neutral state again and after shutting down for ~5 or 10 minutes I can limp along for 20 or 30 yards then neutral state again. The CEL isn't coming on and I haven't checked for codes in either the TCU nor ECU. My suspicions are that the problem is electrical (solenoid, tranny pump, bad ground, temp sensor related problem etc.) but with the tranny oil level showing high at the on-set of the problem this leads me also to believe that the torque converter isn't getting oil thru recirculation (pump crapping out or glogged lines). I thought newer technology was suppose to simplify things Anyways, if you have any insight your input would be much appreciated.

jwallan wrote:Hi Bpomps...thx for you input...I read the thread you attached and your symptoms certainly parallel mine to a certain extent...one major difference is the year of the cars - mine is a 1994 SOHC. What seems really strange with my problem is after disconnecting the battery for a while (over-nite) one of the computers, either the TCU or ECU resets itself and the tranny is good to go until I get it up to highway speed (~100 km/hr) and then it goes into the neutral state again and after shutting down for ~5 or 10 minutes I can limp along for 20 or 30 yards then neutral state again. The CEL isn't coming on and I haven't checked for codes in either the TCU nor ECU. My suspicions are that the problem is electrical (solenoid, tranny pump, bad ground, temp sensor related problem etc.) but with the tranny oil level showing high at the on-set of the problem this leads me also to believe that the torque converter isn't getting oil thru recirculation (pump crapping out or glogged lines). I thought newer technology was suppose to simplify things Anyways, if you have any insight your input would be much appreciated.

yea, i started with the problem at highway speed - same thing, shut it off for a min, restart. etc. uplugged the battery etc. i had a ''basic overhaul'' kit put on the tranny, fluid filter change and i put in a used TCM. i dont get the problem as much as before but it still happens. no mechanics can seem to figure it out. ive been to aamco and some other ''trans specialist''.

bpomps wrote:
yea, i started with the problem at highway speed - same thing, shut it off for a min, restart. etc. uplugged the battery etc. i had a ''basic overhaul'' kit put on the tranny, fluid filter change and i put in a used TCM. i dont get the problem as much as before but it still happens. no mechanics can seem to figure it out. ive been to aamco and some other ''trans specialist''.

Well, here's basically how I solved my problem...I went out and bought another 1994 Maxima, (one that actually runs) that is identical to the first one except for outside colour but interior is the same including colour so my broken down one has now escalated to my prime source parts car...no more junk yards for me...if ever I truly find out the problem with the tranny I'll post it here.