My 1990 NA 2+2 auto will not shift into overdrive

Nissan 300ZX technical discussion forum: Maintenance, performance, installations, modifications, how-to's and troubleshooting.
nismo300zx1990
Posts: 79
Joined: Sat Jun 09, 2012 1:20 pm
Car: 1990 300zx NA

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So my trany in brand new. Well rebuit anyway. I was driving it today and it was shifting fine and i turned the car off went inside for a few hours when out to go to work and started the car put it into drive and started on my way and was going about 60the and still no shift.... might i add i checked fluid level it is fine and still very pink being it was rebuilt. Has about 30the miles on the trany. Any ideas why this would all the sudden stop working. Oh ya the button works too.


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Ziggy1621
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I know im pointing out the obvious, but could you have bumped the OD button on the shifter?

nismo300zx1990
Posts: 79
Joined: Sat Jun 09, 2012 1:20 pm
Car: 1990 300zx NA

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No i made sure that the switch was on. I have been reading that it could me a bad temp sensor. Any thoughts on this

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Ziggy1621
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No clue on the temp sensor, but how about the speed sensor? Would seem to be a legitimate guess, but just a guess.

nismo300zx1990
Posts: 79
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Car: 1990 300zx NA

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Well my speed odometer works is that the same thing

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Ziggy1621
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Pretty much. Have you run an ecu test?

nismo300zx1990
Posts: 79
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Car: 1990 300zx NA

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No that is my next step i will let you know on that

nismo300zx1990
Posts: 79
Joined: Sat Jun 09, 2012 1:20 pm
Car: 1990 300zx NA

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Ok i just checked my codes and the only code that comes up in mode one is # 13. which is my engine coolant temp. sensor circuit. I will order a new one of these and hopfully it will fix this issue. any other thoughts would be very appritiated

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Ziggy1621
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Wouldn't think it is related, but def replace! You said its fresh rebuilt. How many miles since the rebuild? I've heard of worn out oil doing that, but if your oil is still new, ie not broken down, then that wouldn't be it. Was it a local shop that did the rebuild?

nismo300zx1990
Posts: 79
Joined: Sat Jun 09, 2012 1:20 pm
Car: 1990 300zx NA

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I have 35the miles on rebuild. My oil is very pick still. I also drove it to day and it did shift into overdrive. I looked it up and someone said that the engin coolant sensor will not let that tans shif into od when the engine is cold but i was unsure about this. I was driving wondering if anyone has heard that too.

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Ziggy1621
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I believe you have pinpointed it my friend! http://www.2carpros.com/questions/1991- ... ansmission

Get that thing ordered :)

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t.mcginley.jr
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Car: 2002 Altima 3.5SE
1990 300zx NA 2+0
1966 Mustang
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Yeah I wouldn't have thought the engine temp sensor and trans overdrive would be related... but that just goes to show you Nissan's overengineering skillz

nismo300zx1990
Posts: 79
Joined: Sat Jun 09, 2012 1:20 pm
Car: 1990 300zx NA

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Ok so i put the new ECS or (engine coolant sensor) in today and it shift pertectly now. nice that was crazy i would have never thought i coolant sensor would be the corprate lol anyway thank you all for your replys

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t.mcginley.jr
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1990 300zx NA 2+0
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I wonder if that fix is in the tech/FAQ section anywhere yet... might be useful for someone in the future

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Ziggy1621
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nismo300zx1990 wrote:Ok so i put the new ECS or (engine coolant sensor) in today and it shift pertectly now. nice that was crazy i would have never thought i coolant sensor would be the corprate lol anyway thank you all for your replys
Sweet brother, congrats!


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