03 M45 Transmission

[jhoppa]

Guys,

My transmission seems to take a long time to switch gears. Merging onto the highway I have to anticipate the delay so I don't get rearend.

Anybody else have this problem?

Is there a fix or computer upgrade?

Thanks

[auditech10]

When I first bought mine two and a half years ago, I noticed right away that when driving and trying to pass somebody else, the trans would hesitate insanely then go. I remember other people posting about this as well.

[xerexabante]

There is a TSB for this. The dealer will reprogam your TCU and ECM. You have a 8/80k for ECM's and emmisions if I recall.

Or try this a 170*F thermostat, makes the motor a little cooler. OE temp is 180*F. I got this by mistake and ordered a 170*F. Well it was too late not to install, I needed to go home from our shop. The car was prepped to intall to go home(getting late). The drive home was so much fun way faster and better shifts.

You call, I choose to keep my 170*F, other people did not like the idea, but I like my 170*F.

[CakeDaddy]

When I first bought mine two and a half years ago, I noticed right away that when driving and trying to pass somebody else, the trans would hesitate insanely then go. I remember other people posting about this as well.

so...... what did you do to resolve the issue? I think he is looking for a solution/fix and not a "me too" story

Jhoppa,

I was thinking of resetting the ecu or simply disconnecting your battery cable for 5mins or it maybe something simple as your trans fluid. Also, Xerex has a good point with the TSB. Worst case it would something with the TCU/TCM module, but I'm shooting from the hip. good luck on the car and the sale of it.

[szh]

1. I would definitely get the TSB done.

2. One other thing to consider: the car has a "learning" transmission that figures out the shift points you "want" based on your driving habits. If you baby the car for 15 minutes or more, then it learn the baby methods and applies them. So, when you want the oomph of a non-baby response, it hesitates.

3. Try driving around town with the car in Manual mode (set in 4th gear on the 2003, since it will still do down and upshifts without your having to move the lever). This leaves the transmission out of 5th at low speeds - without really affecting your mileage too much - so there is no searching for the "right gear" when you need to accelerate.

Z

[MaxBolus]

...Try driving around town with the car in Manual mode (set in 4th gear on the 2003, since it will still do down and upshifts without your having to move the lever). This leaves the transmission out of 5th at low speeds - without really affecting your mileage too much - so there is no searching for the "right gear" when you need to accelerate.

Z

fwiw... I have found that the trans is much more reluctant to downshift *automatically* while in manual mode. Really gotta stab the pedal to get it to do so. I guess my transmission and I have agreed to disagree, and we just kind of tolerate each other these days..

[jhoppa]

Thanks for the responses. I am glad to hear about the TSB. I was just at Infiniti getting an oil consumption test. 2 quarts every 1000 miles...

I will have them do the TSB when they replace my engine.

I am familiar with the learning transmission and tried to drive the car in manual mode, but it was really annoying waiting for it to shift... It is the worst I have experienced, so hopefully the TSB fixes the problem.

[szh]

One more thing: please make sure that you have good Premium gas in the car. If you do 87 or 89, then the engine electronics will retard the ignition (to prevent engine-damaging knock) to the point where it may cause problems with hesitation and power delivery under acceleration. The user's manual explicits warns about keeping a light foot on the accelerator when you use less than 91 gas.

Z