2009 M35s Sputter/Hesitation @ 1100/1200 rpms from dead stop

[M35Soup]

Hello everyone. I know this topic has been talked about before, but the threads seem to die before someone definitively says what causes this issue. I just purchased this car, so it's a little concerning. It seems to happen once the car warms up, but from a dead stop, once it hits around the 1100/1200 rpm mark, it suddenly drops then sort of catches itself. It's very noticeable, and I think I remember my old Maxima doing this, but I can't remember what ended up being the issue.

I tried the ECU reset that was suggested in other threads, but so far that isn't fixing it. I might try that one more time. Any other ideas?

Here's a video. https://youtu.be/hV3NCl-Q7ts

[ArmedAviator]

Does this happen under all loads (i.e. light acceleration and WOT)?

Also, your video is Private so we can't see it.

[M35Soup]

Does this happen under all loads (i.e. light acceleration and WOT)?

Also, your video is Private so we can't see it.

Sorry, it should be viewable now. It happens under light acceleration, like from a stop sign in a neighborhood. If I lay into it, I don't really notice it, but since it's moving so fast, it might just be harder to recognize.

[ArmedAviator]

Does the car lurch forward at all when that happens? If so, I suspect the torque converter clutch is activating a bit more abruptly than normal.

How's the condition of your ATF?

[M35Soup]

Man I just looked all over that rear left corner, and I can't find the 10mm nut, or the dipstick. Does anyone have a bird's eye pic of it? As to your question, it does lurch a bit, but it's not like a slipping transmission thunk or hit. It's a lot more subtle.

[L'sm35]

Has the recall been done on the gas pedal?

[ArmedAviator]

A light, subtle lurch forward when the RPMs drop like that is likely going to be the torque converter clutch engaging. I wouldn't expect to see it at that low of an RPM, however. Does it do it in normal and sport modes?

[M35Soup]

A light, subtle lurch forward when the RPMs drop like that is likely going to be the torque converter clutch engaging. I wouldn't expect to see it at that low of an RPM, however. Does it do it in normal and sport modes?

It does it in both modes, and it's almost identical, although maybe just slightly less lurchy in sport mode. As to the recall question, Infiniti repaired the gas pedal recall in January of this year, so at least that's one issue eliminated unless the repair didn't work.

[M35Soup]

Just a quick update, in sport mode, when I slow down, the car downshifts and revs the rpms above 3000. Now, we did have a cold front come through, though I don't think it has anything to do with it. I still need to check the ATF, but I'm starting to worry about this car. I just bought it a few days ago. Any other ideas, and thanks for the replies so far.

EDIT: Just wanted to add, I know that sport mode shifts and allows higher revs, so I guess I might just be paranoid because of my original issue, but it seems odd that when downshifting, it high revs above 3000 as it gets into lower gears.