93 Q45 Transmission replacement

[Que-45]

Hey guys, My 93 q45 is going to need a transmission real soon. I have a transmission malfunction error message on the dash, it reads: line pressure soleniod. Anyone know about this? I'm probably going to replace the whole transmission, it has 200,000 miles on it anyways. Anyone have a full write-up on a q45 transmission swap?

[ejXa q45]

don't get one used and go with an older one 90 to 92, not sure but i think they may line up and have better gearing.

[ejXa q45]

Internet explorer will not let me open file to previewsorry my bad

[mattd1979]

I have a 1990 Q45 that I bought a month ago. I did a diagnostic scan on the computer just to see if there were any codes and I also got a line pressure solenoid message and a knock sensor message. Neither of which were displayed on the dash. If I didn't perform that diag I wouldn't have known anything about the transmission. My car has 160,000 miles on it. I am still trying to figure out where the sensor is to test it. Let me know what you come up with so I can compare your test results to mine.

MattJacksonville, FL

[Q45tech]

The problem with used is if they sit too long without rotation, the seals rot and the fluid turns to gum.

As to JDM rip outs it might have been years since they were last used. Lots of difference between a transmission and an engine with 60,000 miles of abusive stop and go city driving. Shifts per mile

Always do a BG machine flush after a pan drop and filter change before you even try to drive a SINGLE MILE. Then monitor the new ATF closely for any signs of a minute color change and plan on another flush at say 5,000 miles or 90 days..........asumming the used one functions in the first place.

I always try to find a domestic recent wreck with an already replaced transmission vs a JDM.

Of course ideally one would just secure a Nissan/Jatco Tennessee rebuilt from the dealer which could last 100k+..............never accept a other than Nissan rebuilt.

[DrewQ45]

The problem with used is if they sit too long without rotation, the seals rot and the fluid turns to gum.

As to JDM rip outs it might have been years since they were last used. Lots of difference between a transmission and an engine with 60,000 miles of abusive stop and go city driving. Shifts per mile

Always do a BG machine flush after a pan drop and filter change before you even try to drive a SINGLE MILE. Then monitor the new ATF closely for any signs of a minute color change and plan on another flush at say 5,000 miles or 90 days..........asumming the used one functions in the first place.

I always try to find a domestic recent wreck with an already replaced transmission vs a JDM.

Of course ideally one would just secure a Nissan/Jatco Tennessee rebuilt from the dealer which could last 100k+..............never accept a other than Nissan rebuilt.

I agree that it's a risky proposition when buying a used Transmission, however the cost deferrement may make it worthwhile if the moons are aligned in your favor.

Of course I would prefer going with a brand new OEM but it was twice what my entire car was worth installed, not to mention that the shipping on top of that would have killed me!!! Not saying one should watch the car value at this point but that's a serious outlay of capital and it's a good reference point! If going that route, I would probably be more prudent to part the car on ebay and use that income plus what what would have been spent to buy a new car. Shoot... Jesda sold his whole car for what my (used) transmission job cost me. If my engine goes at this point it's goodbye Q.

I have a JDM take out and made sure the seller drop the pan so I could examine the magnet. That was the 2nd attempt btw as the first was a piece of junk. Even with labor x2 which worked out $900 (on the high side), the total was $1500.... substantially cheaper than an OEM unit.

Can't agree with "seals rotting and fluid turning to gum" since the transmision are drained as a soon as they are removed and stored dry.

"I always try to find a domestic recent wreck with an already replaced transmission vs a JDM."..... Yeah...would have loved to, but where? Not an easy thing to find and how do you tell it's been replaced? Sounds riskier to me as domestic junkyard Q does not have the mileage allure of a Jap take-out whether real or perceived.

I'm totally in agreement with the double-flush, but suggest 2nd flush after 500 miles... the thing has been sitting for years.

...Drew....

[Q45tech]

Stored dry....[maybe pan is dry but the TC internals are full] how would you drain everything without a pan removal without destroying the internals--pump dry?].........some drained to save transport weight.........when the 100 or so are throw literally into a 44 foot ocean going container and spit on for good luck................poouuuu and good riddance, we will get even with stupid Americans they buy our junk.

Members should visit an importer and view the rehabilitation process that makes them LOOK very good on the outside. Watch them being off loaded from the container then the cleaned up product.

[elwesso]

Thanks for posting tech.... It seems to me that its almost smarter to get a freshly wrecked trans (with good fluid) with 100k miles than to get a JDM takeout which could have been sitting for a long time....

[DrewQ45]

Stored dry....[maybe pan is dry but the TC internals are full] how would you drain everything without a pan removal without destroying the internals--pump dry?].........some drained to save transport weight.........when the 100 or so are throw literally into a 44 foot ocean going container and spit on for good luck................poouuuu and good riddance, we will get even with stupid Americans they buy our junk.

Members should visit an importer and view the rehabilitation process that makes them LOOK very good on the outside. Watch them being off loaded from the container then the cleaned up product.

Actually, the transmission wasn't power-washed until I purchase it. Most were greasy and dirty sitting on the racks. Yes, there is probably fluid left in the torque converter but what seal is that touching? Thats what the two flushes are for. I disagree with them being "literally thrown into ocean containers".... remember, the resellers will have to provide refund if the things are damaged. I think they'd be having a talk with Japanese boys, or send the whole lot back. One should buy with 6 month warranty then beat the crap out of it to make sure it's good.

Lets talk price of new OEM shipped? I installed two for less half the price of new! It's worth the chance.

Drew


Modified by DrewQ45 at 10:37 AM 1/2/2006

[DrewQ45]

It seems to me that its almost smarter to get a freshly wrecked trans (with good fluid) with 100k miles than to get a JDM takeout which could have been sitting for a long time....

That's a lotta "withs" Wes. Can you say needle in a haystack? Sure you might find one with all those requirements but your car may sit for years. Oh, don't forget the other withs.... Must be 90-92 with 51x65 tag for preferred gear ratio.
Modified by DrewQ45 at 11:02 AM 1/2/2006

[Q45tech]

No such thing as a new RE4R03A transmission everyone is a reman as I understand it the last 96 production run for replacements was 1998. Usually they make new units up to 2 years after the obsolete run.

Hard to evaluate total cost until the used unit fails. True a $2000 unit vs a $500 unit [with warranty] allows up to 3 additional $500-$600 swaps [you repay the labor each time] until you get a decent one.........still that doesn't reflect what could happen after the usual 30 day [or 6 months] warranty expires.

Things must be evaluated per 100,000 miles to get a true picture.

Personally, enough other stuff fails, to not want to deal with a transmission except every 4-5 years............some of my years have over 30k and some 20k thus the 4-5 years.............my reman #2 was last replaced at 235k and only has 68k now, so maybe I get another 2 years?