2004 Pathfinder transmission issues - hard 1-2 shift

[Gdparks89]

I just bought a 2004 Pathfinder LE with 121,000 miles. Great shape, no known issues, other than a lot of underside rust (Duluth, MN car). However, I am having an issue with the transmission shifting hard on the 1-2 shift. All other shifts and aspects of the transmission are seemingly fine. It's just the 1-2 shift, always hard and even somewhat violent. Any ideas why? Is the whole thing about to go? If anyone has a clue, please email me: [email protected]

[fleurys]

I have seen before that the cleaning of the maf sensor reduced greatly the 1-2 hard shifts... It is not an uncommon issue with the 01-04 pathfinder with the 3.5... Have a try , it is not a difficult task.

Cheers,

[barnaclebob]

I agree to try cleaning or replacing the MAF sensor. Use the maxima part for replacement (google search). However I had codes and cleaning didn't work for me, just the replacement.

My issues were only when the car was cold, I would give it gas, it would kind of rev high then slam into second.

Also you may want to do some fluid changes just as a matter of good maintenance practice and check for the front strut rust issue.

[nickelghandi]

Not to scare you, but I had a hard 1-2 shift for about 1000 miles and cleaning the MAF did nothing. Finally, one day on my way home from work, it just no longer shifted between 1 and 2 and started making a sound like a dump truck when it tried to. Eventually it would skip to 3rd gear and that shift was really hard. It felt like I was running over a log. The whole truck bucked and heaved. My transmission was shot. $2500 and a month later and it's back on the road with a used/overhauled transmission from a wrecked Pathfinder and some engine maintenance. Mine is an 04 and has 137000 miles on it. I would have it inspected as soon as you can. Any decent mechanic can tell you for free or cheap if it is your transmission or something else.