94 Maxima transmission problem. Please help!!

[canucklehead]

driving along today and pulled out to pass a semi. hammered the gas and the car downshifted into passing gear. I was going 50-60mph. Right after, I heard a clunk, or bang or pop noise. It wasn't super loud, but a noise. then I lost power to the wheels. engine revved, but no drive. I coasted to a stop and tried EVERY gear and not one of them works. It really seems like a transmission issue, altho I will check CV shaft too.

some background: this is a '94 Maxima with VG30E. At 92K miles, the transmission was rebuilt (before i bought it). My friend said the transmission guy told him he'd never seen one go that way (an electronic controller of some kind??). In the past week r two, it's been sticky to push the shift lever into park. Only at the end spot between R & P. There have been several occasions where car wouldn't crank over in P, and I'd put it in N or push on the gear selector fwd a bit, then it's start easy. I assumed this was due to a neutral safety switch issue, so I didn't worry about it. The car now has 125K miles. So this is 33K miles on a rebuilt transmission.

so what's wrong? what was that noise? I don't trust any transmission mechanic to tell me the truth. How can i tell if this is a simple, minor problem, or a major issue. Hints on easy checks on how to repair? why is this going thru trannies??THANKS!

[loystock]

Transmission repair is best left to the pro. Ask your friends for a reputable shop in your area. You can do an internet search but I'm not sure if you have BBB (Better Business Bureau) in BC. Stay away from AAMCO as much as possible.

Having a rebuilt transmission failing this early may be due to previous owner abuse or improper rebuild.

[canucklehead]

reputable and trustworthy are like oxy-morons when it comes to transmission guys. they know the avg consumer, even mechanically swift people, know nothing about trannies, so they have you over the barrel before you start.

i'll look in my Nissan trouble guide in the repair manual.

[mtcookson]

Most likely the transmission is gone. However... by the sounds of your shifter issues there could be a possibility that the shifter linkage messed up. I recall there be a plastic piece on the shifter that would go out causing the shifter to not engage the gears correctly.

You might get lucky and it simply be that. I would inspect the linkage and see if that is the case... otherwise I would probably start saving for a rebuild.

Mine died in a similar fashion. I didn't get on or anything and didn't hear a noise but I was driving along, went over some railroad tracks, got back on the throttle after going over those and had nothing. Had to get the transmission rebuilt after that.