2001 QX4 hard shifting, runs at high RPM (over 80kmph) and won't go past 120Kmh

[vexman2k3]

This has just happened recently... The car has well over 200K km on it.

It shifts smoothly in the first, and unless I have to hit the gas HARD (but not too hard because it just revs and goes nowhere) to prevent it from taking 3 - 5 seconds to shift from second. Then, once I get to 80kmh, it stays above 4,000 RPM if I want to go fast. So, I can't travel on the highway because my engine will be at 5,000RPM to do the speed limit. The fastest I can go is 130kmh, but that's at almost 6,500RPM steady.

And the worst thing is that since this started, it consumes twice as much gas... as if the fuel economy wasn't s***ty to begin with.

Anyone have any idea what might be going on?

Also, theres some sore of problem with the overdrive function. When I start the car, I have to shift in and out of gear multiple times to finally get the light to go off. If I drive when it's on, it sort of jerks a little when I release the gas pedal. This becomes more noticeable at higher speeds.

[Buzzman]

Sounds like your overdrive is not letting go.At 100Kms/hr (62 mph), my engine is revving at around 2,200 rpm's. If I shut off my overdrive, it goes up to over 3K rpm's.First thing I'd do is check the fluid and maybe have it flushed.After that, you may be going to a transmission shop.The gas mileage problem is to be expected when you are revving at those numbers.Keep us up to date.

[REZN]

same problem with the pathfinderhighways are so hard for me to drive on because merging into the highway i cant floor my car because the rpm shoots up to 4k and car wont go anywhereive been told i have a air leak somewhereim guessing a vacuum hose leak?

[qx4piff]

This has just happened recently... The car has well over 200K km on it.

It shifts smoothly in the first, and unless I have to hit the gas HARD (but not too hard because it just revs and goes nowhere) to prevent it from taking 3 - 5 seconds to shift from second. Then, once I get to 80kmh, it stays above 4,000 RPM if I want to go fast. So, I can't travel on the highway because my engine will be at 5,000RPM to do the speed limit. The fastest I can go is 130kmh, but that's at almost 6,500RPM steady.

And the worst thing is that since this started, it consumes twice as much gas... as if the fuel economy wasn't s***ty to begin with.

Anyone have any idea what might be going on?

Also, theres some sore of problem with the overdrive function. When I start the car, I have to shift in and out of gear multiple times to finally get the light to go off. If I drive when it's on, it sort of jerks a little when I release the gas pedal. This becomes more noticeable at higher speeds.

Any updates on this I just started having the same exact issue....it just came out of no where I have a 2001 QX4 with 158,000 on the clock.

[slickroger]

REZN

I have been getting this problem and i believe that the problem is the TPS sensor. I've been playing with this sensor and my idle and wacky shifting changes all the time. My truck used to rev at about 4000 and go nowhere after a slight adjustment my truck now goes at the 4000rpm, but now it seems to sputter sometimes at low rpm's or in first gear under 25km.

this sensor seems to be really sensitive and difficult to get in the right position because i'm still trying.

vexman2k3

Your situation really sounds like a transmission problem or overdrive. from what your describing it sounds like your not using the fourth gear this could be because the overdrive wont turn off even when it says its off or your transmission is s***tin on you.

good luck all
Modified by slickroger at 10:13 AM 9/18/2009