2009 M35x Transmission Issue - Slow to go in Reverse

[mattd860]

09 M35x with 137k miles on it. Had transmission flushed at dealer around 125k miles. Car has been running great and transmission has been smooth even up until today when I drove to work. Car sat in parking lot all day but when I went to leave at the end of the day I attempted to back out of my parking space and noticed a long delay when I shifted in reverse. I shifted in reverse and the car sat for about 5 seconds before going anywhere.

I drove the car forward and backwards a few times in the parking lot and there was a delay every time I shifted it in reverse. I then drove home (about 40 minutes) and tested it again and it's WORSE. Now I have to rev the engine to 3,000 rpms just to get it in reverse.

Once it's in reverse it works fine and there's no slipping. It just can't seem to get itself into reverse.

Any thoughts?

[mattd860]

I also want to note that shifting into all forward gears is quick and smooth.

[pedsemdoc]

Definitely not an expert...hopefully EdBwoy or Steve will comment and at least help narrow down your issue.
But in the meantime,

Transmission fluid too low or overfilled? Transmission leaks?
Loose throttle cable?
Stripped or worn out reverse gear?
Problem with clutch or transmission solenoid, or valve body?

[ae7456t]

mattd860...That is no fun, and ask me how I know that it is no fun...

topic613147.html

The link above is my own escapade with almost exactly the same issue 8-9 months ago with a little higher mileage. The silver lining is that my car is running great with the swapped out transmission (knock on wood), but as you can read, the fix didn't come without some $'s and a fair amount of frustration.

Having gone through it, happy to answer any questions you have, or simply offer some encouraging words.

It is a great car, and I despite all the hassle, I am glad I invested to keep it running!

[mattd860]

Thanks for the link. I'm definitely fixing the car because I love it too much and I also just installed brand new tires, axles, wheel bearings, steering rack, brakes, front drive shaft, and more. So I'm in too deep to walk away. I'm going to bring it to a reputable transmission shop tomorrow morning but I already know it needs to be replaced and found several replacements in the vicinity of where I live. If the shop quotes a reasonable labor rate then they can do the swap but otherwise I'll just do it myself. After recently dropping the exhaust and front driveshaft myself it really doesn't seem like a difficult job but honestly I don't have much willpower anymore. I must be getting old or something. I was hoping that it might be a solenoid or something similar but there is no CEL so it's got to be a bad reverse clutch. I just hope it goes into reverse tomorrow morning so I can back it out of the driveway and get it to the shop.

[ae7456t]

Good luck with the shop...A couple of notes from my experience ...

1. My transmission shop was ok, but, in hindsight, I should have gotten multiple quotes
2. The approach from them was to check out the transmission for "free", at which point they will likely confirm what you already know...Then they offer to remove the transmission and inspect it for ~$500, at which point, you are somewhat committed, unless you want to have the car towed elsewhere...If you don't like what they tell you, they will charge you another $500 to reinstall. Not the end of the world, but once they remove the transmission, your options get a bit limited.
3. Only other word of advice is to get them to replace the rear main seal on the engine while the transmission is out...Easy enough to do, and worth it since it is exposed, anyway.

If you decide to go the DIY route, you have my utmost respect...I contemplated that, as well...Does not seem that hard, just a little heavy and a bit of a challenge to access all the necessary parts...Let us know how it goes!

[mattd860]

Yeah I'm not going to pay to have them take it out just to inspect it. I just need them to give me a quote on replacing it or rebuilding mine. Nothing else in between. Just dropped it off and the shop will call me later with their thoughts.

[EdBwoy]

Solid info. You've experienced this in a way us RWD-ers haven't.

..
3. Only other word of advice is to get them to replace the rear main seal on the engine while the transmission is out...Easy enough to do, and worth it since it is exposed, anyway.

I know the Pathfinders with the 3.5 engine had rear main seal issues. Was yours leaky/ seeping when you replaced your transmission?
I'd say OEM or bust on that job. If they have to touch the RMS, ensure you order a factory Nissan one to be on the way & have on hand as you wait to source the transmission.

[mattd860]

Shop just called. Need a full rebuild. $3800! Or I could go with a used one for $1000(labor) plus whatever the cost of the transmission is.

[ae7456t]

Ugh...Unfortunately this story has a very familiar tone. Full rebuild would be nice, but there is a lot you can do for $3800.

I am sure you have other options, but for reference, here is an option from the place I got my used replacement...Not without risks, but they were very good to work with, and it looks like they have 3 that will fit your car, so, worst case, you can exercise their warranty. From experience, they handled my initial order and the warranty extremely quickly and professionally.

http://www.benwoodautoparts.com/used-pa ... eFKQF-nGUk

[mattd860]

Thanks. The problem is that all the shops around here charge for labor to remove and install the transmission(s). So if I buy a used one that doesn't work for whatever reason, the shop will charge about $1000 every time they take it out and put another one in. The companies that sell used transmissions only warrantee the parts, not the labor so it could still cost me +$3,000 if I end up with a series of bad transmissions.

I'm seriously contemplating rebuilding it my self. Most of the rebuild parts are for sale on Rock Auto and elseware. Just waiting for a quote from one more shop before I ultimately decide.

[EdBwoy]

...The companies that sell used transmissions only warrantee the parts, not the labor so it could still cost me +$3,000 if I end up with a series of bad transmissions...

... and sometimes they have it in their terms that they only warranty defective parts if the labor was done by an ASE certified technician. Mostly for rebuilt drivetrain items, but I have been seeing less of this stipulation. Competition can be a beautiful thing.

Rebuilding an auto transmission if not for the faint of heart. At the price AE's link shows, I would take the gamble and buy the used trans. Again, most times a shop will not intentionally sell you a bad unit. Just drop the pan/ check the fluid when the item arrives, etc.

These transmissions are usually stout. The few failures we have seen reported have been with AWDs, and even then, not too many in my book. I wouldn't think of it too risky to get a used one.

[mattd860]

I found a transmission from a 09 M35x with only 22,000 miles on it! I verified the mileage from the local dealership and they confirmed that it's accurate via the service records. Car was recently hit on the front left so it was deemed a total loss. Since there won't be any rebuilding, just swapping, I'm going to allow my mechanic to handle it. He says the 'book' quotes it as a 6-hour job so that's all he's going to charge. I should be in and out for less than $2,000 and I'll have a transmission with only 22k miles on it! This is something that I could and probably should do myself but for $600 (labor charge), it just makes sense to have someone else do the work. I've swapped out several transmissions in the past (on the garage floor with jack stands) and I can't say I ever had FUN doing it lol.

[ae7456t]

Holy cow! What a great result!

Hope the swap goes smoothly, and you are back up and running in no time!

[mattd860]

All fixed. About $2300 total. Did a new rear main seal and crank position sensor while they were in there. Car drives and shifts better than ever. It also down shifts (engine brakes) when coming to a stop which is something the previous transmission never did.

[ae7456t]

That's fantastic...Definitely a chunk of money, but well worth it to keep a great car running.

Good to hear it all worked out for you.