93 J30 Transmission Won't Engage

[randomshots]

Make Model Year: 1993 Infiniti J30Mileage: 110KIssue: Transmission will not Engage

Background Info:I was driving on the freeway at 70MPH. Released the accelerator to allow for slow traffic to enter the lane, when I stepped on the accelerator again RPM increased but car speed did not.

Problem:- Will not engage any gear (R D 3 2 1)- Driveshaft will not rotate- No trouble codes from the AT Self Check Diagnostic- Proper Transmission Fluid Level (Not Burnt)- No sudden jerk or noise when the transmission gave out.

I am thinking this may be a worse case scenario where I have to swap out the transmission but I'd figure I ask the forum before I went in that direction.

Any help is really appreciated.

[SteveTheTech]

Hey there sorry about your luck.

When you put it into gear and try to hit the gas nothing happens?

Without checking the line pressure and performing a few tests giving you any indication would be a shot in the dark.

If you want to get into this more, check out AT-13 for the beginning of the trouble diagnosis. Get yourself familiar with the diagnostic procedure and try to get some more results.

Good Luck.

[fixer]

if thwe fluid is at the proper level and the flywheel did not break, you can resolve the problem with another trans and converter. it may be the valve body also. you can try ans save some money and try a valve body but it may not fix the problem

[Infinitiguy19]

Do you know what a flywheel is?

If the fly wheel broke the car wouldn't start, so he wouldn't discover the problem till after he replaced the it.

[windowlikker]

Sounds like the exact same problem that just happened to me 2 weeks ago.

1993 J30Ran fine, no warning. Pulled into a shopping center driveway, went to give gas and nothing. Won't ngage in any gear. Although, there is a slight whining noise coming from bellhousing area. AT diagnostics came back normal (no bad sensors)

Keep me up on how it goes.. If you are able to find a cheaper solution than a whole new transmission.

Thanks!!-kyle

[maxnix]

Keep me up on how it goes.. If you are able to find a cheaper solution than a whole new transmission.

A whole new remanufactured Nissan transmission form Joe is the cheapest solution, other than pushing it over a cliff.

Just ask the guys who have used AAMCO or Cottman's or 3 used ones in a year.

[maxnix]

RS, please post the MY in your profile. Thanks.

[randomshots]

Hey there sorry about your luck.

When you put it into gear and try to hit the gas nothing happens?

Without checking the line pressure and performing a few tests giving you any indication would be a shot in the dark.

Correct, the engine revs but no movement. The gears will not engage.

I must have missed that in the FSM. Can you point to the correct page so that I can perform the line pressure test?

windowlikker: If I find a solution I will update the thread. Hopefully my experience can help others.

maxnix: $3,500 for new remanufactured Nissan transmission from Joe is not an option (Bought my J30 four years ago for $4,000 with 83k miles). I could buy a well maintained 1997 J30 for the price of one transmission (although not without its risks) I dread the idea of taking the J30 to the glue factory.

[windowlikker]

... $3,500 for new remanufactured Nissan transmission from Joe is not an option .... I dread the idea of taking the J30 to the glue factory.

Ditto here...

[Q45tech]

Automatic Transmission failure is the number one reason cars are junked since transmission usually fails before engines.

[maxnix]

Ditto here...

That'a two of you in cars you cannot afford to maintain and thus drive.

Complete swap out should be less than $3K. If you can't spend that every 150K miles, than you didn't save or are too poor to drive any car. $0.02 per mile shouldn't break the bank.

[randomshots]

That'a two of you in cars you cannot afford to maintain and thus drive.

Complete swap out should be less than $3K. If you can't spend that every 150K miles, than you didn't save or are too poor to drive any car. $0.02 per mile shouldn't break the bank.

Sorry there, Maxnix! Don't see how I earned that response. I can easily afford to buy a new transmission ($3500 figure is based on Infiniti of Scottsdale pricing) and the labor is not an issue (this is not my first dance changing a transmission).

Now let us take a look at my scenario:

I have a 17 year old car. Am I going to drive it for 15 years/150K miles? Doubt it. Even if I did the maintenance expense would increase each year to keep my J30 on the road.

It is not about being poor or financially irresponsible. It is actually quite the opposite as I am looking it at from a feasibility standpoint.

[maxnix]

It is not about being poor or financially irresponsible. It is actually quite the opposite as I am looking it at from a feasibility standpoint.

I understand, but your choices are (assuming you want to continue driving) to not do anything and drive a malfunctioning beater, repair it and maintain it for another 7 to 15 years, or ditch it for scrap and get into debt or part with some serioius cash to replace it.

I fully expect to keep my Q45 (all 3) another 10 years at least, if there is still suitable gasoline. Spending or sequestering in reserve the $3K each per year for maintenance is preferable to parting with $225K to replace them with a less durable car in my case.