1997 j30 start and transmission problems

[lovebites]

Hi,

My j30 is usually sluggish when accelerating from a stop no matter how hard I step on the gas. About a 2-3 seconds later, however, it starts to spring out. I wonder if this is normal for most j30. In addition, when the gear is engaged into D, there's a shift shock about 1 second later not immediately.

Do I have to check the transmission or some others such as a throttle position sensor, revolution sensor, etc?

Additionally, my j30 has a hard time with start. When ignited, the car begins idling but shut off immediately. It happens especially when cold start. What's wrong?

My j30 is 1997 with 134,000 miles. I replaced timing belt and thermostat four months ago. I also changed transmission fluid at the same time. Thanks in advance.

lovebites

[driverdriver]

Are you letting your car warm up before driving off? All J's perform optimally when the fluids get warm and start flowing.

Have you had your transmission fluid changed and service done(as per maintenance)? Have you checked your transmission fluid level? Noted any type of burnt smell?

[lovebites]

Thanks driverdriver. Even before warming up, I have a trouble with ignition nowadays. BTW, I have experienced a lazy response almost all the time even when a car is fully warmed up. I'm afraid if this is a transmission problem or with some other sensors. I will drop the car at the local repair shop today and they will check what's wrong with start tomorrow morning. I changed transmission fluid four months ago and I also could smell burns but it was proved to be leaking from the rack and pinion which was fixed already. Can you think of any possible causes?

lovebites

[gniknave]

DAAAMN another Infiniti member from the east bay on NICO! Word must be gettin out! My old boss had a 97 J30 (one they nearly destroyed I might add) and it had the EXACT same symtoms yours is. They cleaned the MAF sensor first, and when that didn't work, they replaced the MAF sensor. That fixed it. Of course I'm referencing this to the accelerating problem.

We must have a Nico meet for all the east bay folks that are showing up on NICO these days.

[driverdriver]

If you strongly suspect it is a transmission problem, it may be worth giving Bill a call.

Bill is a transmission expert for Infiniti Canada. Ask for him when you call the dealer. He also is known at the "transmission expert" at the dealer.

Telephone number is: (416) 291-1188He actually works out of the Agincourt Infiniti-Nissan Dealership in Toronto.

The dealership is open from 7:30AM to 9PM Eastern Time (Monday to Friday) and from 8:30AM to 5PM (Eastern Time) on Saturdays.

There are a handful of J owners on this board who have given him a call and to my knowledge he has either (a.) provided accurate diagnosis over the phone (b.) told the mechanic what they should do in order to diagnose the problem.

I'm wondering if one of the moderators on this board can do a "sticky" or something like it with the above's contact. I get PM'ed and emailed a lot recently asking for his contact and by luck I found his business card. Thanks!

Goodluck with your problem!

[lovebites]

Thanks for you guys' comments. My mechanic said they couldn't find any problem and start was fine this morning. It might be due to insufficent cooling down since it has been garaged there. They're gonna check this up once again.

They are also suspecting the timing belt. My J got the timing belt replaced in the loacal repair shop and sluggishness problem might start from there. I will also ask a mechanic to take a careful look at the MAF sensor as a possible cause. Any other comments would be much appreciated.

Lovebites

[driverdriver]

I would strongly recommend that you have a mechanic who is at least Infiniti certified take a look at the engine/car, the engines on both the Q and the J are a very different animal from the norm. Yes you will pay a bit more, but in the long run you will save time and get the correct diagnosis and parts instead playing it might be this it might be that and replacing components at random.

[Q451990]

They are also suspecting the timing belt. My J got the timing belt replaced in the loacal repair shop and sluggishness problem might start from there.

Sure sounds like one bank is off a degree or two. With the engine putting less than optimal horsepower, some transmission issues may show up too. I'd have them check the belt first...

Heath