93 Maxima A/T "D" position Does not Drive

[thetailwind]

I recently acquired a 1993 Maxima se with 37k on the car that was a single owner. There is a problem, all other positions on the automatic transmission work with the exception of Drive or "D". I can drive the car using "1" and "2" which the transmission shifts like new. However it treats "D" like neutral. It does not drop in rpm's its just like it is plain ignoring it.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Sounds like the shift lever may just be out of adjustment. When you drive the car in "2" does it still use all 4 gears?

My car behaves similarly, though it's not as bad for me:If I shift out of anything "above" D I have to pull the lever ALL the way back to the stop/divider between D and 2 or it'll stay in neutral instead of engaging Drive. And if I tap the shift lever forward more than a tiny bit it'll go back into Neutral.

I imagine it's a simple adjustment issue.Adjustment itself is simple: you just adjust the tension on the shift control cable where it connects to the shift lever. I'm not sure how easy it is to reach, though. I've never messed with it myself and the service manual's pictures aren't much help. It can either be accessed by removing the center console (easy, a few bolts) or from beneath the car (might be obscured by exhaust or other things).

[thetailwind]

I will check that and post .

Checked. When I shift from P to R to N to D it does not drive when I shift from 1 to 2 to D it works. I suspect you are right with the adjustment. I took off the center console and looked at the shift mechanism, I think the adjustment may be under the car. Thanks I will repost once complete for reference by other users.
Modified by thetailwind at 10:45 AM 12/22/2007

[mtcookson]

37k miles?? Very nice!!

I think the 3rd gen does have an issue of a little plastic piece that connects the linkage. I think it just wears after a while... but with that little mileage I wouldn't think it could have been shifted enough to cause the issue. Definitely wouldn't hurt to check it out though.

[thetailwind]

I adjusted the lever throw underneath the car by the exhaust. Works just fine now. All I have left to do before I sell is an alignment and periodic missing.