'94 auto trans just died!!

[honeybus]

It was 06:00 Sunday morning, cold, dark, northern Virginia.

This was low speed, quiet, back road driving for just five miles from home. I pulled up to a stop light and the 240SX lost all forward power. I got it around the corner, but I had to call a tow. I had absolutely ZERO in reverse, drive, 1st or 2nd. Park and Neutral were fine..

I ran the code check where you put the shift in Drive, turn the OD on, and turn the key on. Then go down to 2nd, and 1st and the accelerator pedal and all that. I got a clean set of one long and ten short blinkings of the OD light. Nothing to report there.

Could it be something mechanical with the AT linkage?? I had the AT replaced a few months ago, and then installed another ATCU and ECU from another '94. It ran very righteously until that moment yesterday morning.

Thank you for your comments.

Barry sends

[HashiriyaS14]

I just had my AT replaced....hopefully it goes the distance.

Let us all know what happens.

[honeybus]

Well, my mechanic took the 240SX for a test drive on Monday late afternoon, and it ran perfectly.

What to do, what to to ? ? ??

I was hoping that the problem would be something mechanical which he would see, like a loose connection in the shift linkage, not allowing it to keep in gear. Apparently not the problem.

It was running PERFECTLY until this Sunday very early.

If you are a believer in such thinks, perhaps I was prevented from going to my destination for a reason . . Weird . . . . I was headed for the emergency room at the military hospital at Ft Belvoir.....

[180fan]

yeah dunno what to say. Weirder things have happened where they disappear after a little bit. Could it be possible that your torque converter ran low on fluid or the metal contacts loosened up on the at control when it got too cold?

[Chaotic_Warlord]

Time to do a 5 speed swap....

THe best thing about a manual trans is if the trans dies, it means either the clutch/flywheel are toast or the synchros are dead. New synchros are dirt cheap and can be replaced in about 3 hours at home and a clutch/flywheel replacement take about the same amount of time.

Auto's almost always have to be repaired by a professional and replacement parts are stupidly expensive.

[MagikDragon]

Barry, Sorry if this was my transmission that went on you... I don't know what to say. I might be able to source another one for you, or maybe I can help you out with a 5 speed swap, if you want. depending on whats going on, I have some time off in early march.

[s14_240sx]

5 speed swap FTW!

[Chaotic_Warlord]

Need more proof why 5 speed swap is FTW...

manual trans:

ATC-PRO-KING Manual Transmission Rebuild Kit for a 1994 Nissan/Datsun 240SXUnit Price: $122.99Core Value*: $0.00Part No.: BK133BWSWeight: 4.75 lbs.Warranty: 3 MO

Auto trans:IPT Performance Transmission Rebuild Kit (RE4RO1A)Price: $499

and that's just the rebuild kit for each, but again keep in mind that while the IPT kit is a performance rebuild, you would still need to have it professionally done no matter whether it was OEM or IPT's kit. Yeah clutch and flywheel can be expensive but an OEM clutch is like $90 while an OEM torque converter (which coincidentally your would have to get when you have the auto rebuilt) will cost you:

PTS TORQUE CONVERTER SERVICE JA310R-4000S1 $598.00

yeah the slush box is definately FTL

Oh and the rebuild kit doesn't include the valve bodies, hell it's almost cheaper to buy a new slush box for the price it would cost you to do a quality rebuild, or you could save $1200 and just do the 5 speed swap for $650.

My 5 speed swap cost me around $1200 but for that 1200 I installed a lower mileage KA, the 5 speed trans, a driveshaft shop 1 piece drive shaft, Nismo motor and trans mounts and a Buddy Club Pro-Spec II exhaust.

[honeybus]

Barry, Sorry if this was my transmission that went on you...

Sean, thanks for your post, all is cool ! ! !

I gave my mechanic another ATCU and the old transmission. I am keeping my fingers crossed. He is really a fine mechanic, but it is impossible to find a competent 240SX person around here.

[They DROVE it into the bay and put it up on a lift. They wanted to drop the transmission pan to look for shavings. They saw that there was just one quart of AT fluid coming out and laughed, and lowered the 240SX and put 2 quarts of AT fluid back in. BTW, the 'helper' was going to put in power steeraring fluid until someone caught him....

They tried to back it out and nothing. Then they got it to catch and backed it out of the bay and wanted me to take it for a test drive ! ! ! !

It took four of us to push it into a parking space...

Please pray for me]

Last month I took the 240SX into a reputable shop for an analysis of why it was bucking and stuttering and all. After $195 worth of testing, he said my number 1 fuel injector was not grounding out, and for another $200 he would put in another fuel injector!! He was surprised when I told him to just button it up and let me have it back. I mean. $195 is at least 3 hours of work by anyone's book. But that's not to compare with the $350 I paid another 'mechanic' to get to get the temp sensor replaced ! ! !

At least we have a fixed price for an AT R&R: $380.

And I would LOVE to have a stick shift. My other vehicle is an old stick Volkswagen camper bus I had for the past 12 years, with 220k miles on it, and 60 mph top speed

I am NOT going to call him until the snow melts enough to get the 240SX into a parking space at home.

Sean, BTW, Jenna [my daughter for all you others out there...] just had eye surgery yesterday, Valentine's Day, and she is being driven home this long weekend because of her eyes.

Fully 1/3 of the cadets at West Point are offered vision correction surgery, and most take it. Not like the Naval Academy, where they keep you out of programs because of poor [correctable!!] vision.

Life. Gotta live it to the max.....

[MagikDragon]

I need to get eye surgery. I'm glad Jenna had a good turnout. Keep me informed on what you want to do, we can source some 5 speed parts, and I will ride down for the install. Good luck!!

[honeybus]

I need to get eye surgery. I'm glad Jenna had a good turnout. Keep me informed on what you want to do, we can source some 5 speed parts, and I will ride down for the install. Good luck!!

MagikDragon, I am in Northern Virginia, so i don't think your gracious offer is logistically feasible.

I had my previous transmission re-installed and the 240SX runs acceptably.

I would LOVE to have a 5-speed swap, but I am really dark on the prospects.

I bought this 240SX over 4 years ago, after a serious search. I would love to keep it. I had the engine reworked about 20K miles ago. It has 165K miles on the clock.

I am pressured by the wife to get rid of my toys (240SX convertible and '79 VW camper bus) and to get a reliable vehicle to get me to work and back. Bummer..... I have the 240SXfor the past 4+ years, and the VW camper bus for the past 12 years.]

I am talking with Sean from CT, but if anyone can help, I would appreciate it. The 240SXis now drivable, and I would like to get a 5-speed swap. Northern Virginia or lower Maryland.

Barry

[breadbox]

I have an s13 auto transmission that was going to replace in my car but now am trying to do a 5spd swap. I don't "know" it works but its a good bet.

[honeybus]

Thanks, breadbox. I am back on the road again. I don't think I will go with another auto transmission replacement again. So far this was four in the past two years!! I guess I am going to have to realize that this 240SX is not for me. With my VW laid up in the parking lot at my office, I guess my next car is going to be a Honda Civic!!

I guess I am getting kind of old to be having dreams of a sharp convertible and of a surf wagon.. Time to start closing up shop.

Thanks all for your kind attention.

Barry sends