1994 Maxima SOHC Automatic Transmission Problem

[jwallan]

I had a used transmission installed in May/08 and at the end of August the transmission just stopped working, meaning the car would rev but no go in any gear. The transmission 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 transmission 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 transmission 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 5:57 AM 10/25/2008

[574-240sx]

Sounds like the pump in the trans is crapping out and not building enough pressure. I have had this happen on 2 cars, they would work until the trans started to get warm. Its really hard to say what is 100% the problem. It could be TCU, harness, trans pump, filter clogged, etc.

[jwallan]

Thx for your response "574-240x". What bothers me about the problem is the fact that resetting the computer by dis-connecting the power gets the transmission back into operation. One would think that if the pump or filter were clogged the transmission wouldn't work at all.

[574-240sx]

You could look into the TCU, transmission control unit.

[jwallan]

ya, could be something as simple as a bad ground. New technology really adds to the problems rather than simplifying it