94 trans. noise

[ahardb0dy]

My wife drove the car yesterday when she was leaving her first stop and moved the shifter from park to drive and still had her foot on the brake she heard a loud rattle noise, she proceeded to drive home but the car felt like it didn't shift up, she put the gas pedal to the floor the car started to go and than finally shifted, also the check engine light was on for a few seconds than went off, after that it was fine. I checked the trans fluid the other day and it looked to be full. car has 159,000 miles on it. We just purchased this car and haven't done anything to it yet. I've read on here about doing the trans. flush is that recommended at this amount of mileage? Would the onboard diagnostic thru the odometer show a problem with the trans.? Thanks

[maxnix]

It might be helpful if you gave a brief maintenance history regarding the transmission and commented on the ATF condition.

Might also try posting in Infiniti Mechanic Forum for better response.

[911/Q45]

Sounds like a terminal trans.

[rsiwicki]

if your check engine light came on...the error code should be stored in the ECU still. check out the q45.org site or here for the procedure to check codes (takes 10 minutes), but it does sound like a transmission failure.

[ahardb0dy]

have no idea on the history of the transmission or the car, we just bought it. transmission fluid looked and smelled normal, I'll have to check the ECU codes

[maxnix]

have no idea on the history of the transmission or the car, we just bought it. transmission fluid looked and smelled normal....

Infniniti dealer performed service history available from your dealer or Infiniti cutomer service. It is the first thing a predent buyer obtains to assess the probable mechanical conditon of hte car with regards to wear and deposits.

Normal = New? White paper towel test?

All are important to assess the condition via text messages since we cannot see it.

[ahardb0dy]

we weren't prudent perspective buyers, my wife saw the car on E-bay and it was a spur of the moment decision, not the normal way to buy a car sight unseen, but we bought it and we'll deal with what ever problems it has, haven't even changed the oil since it has an oil leak right now and it doesn't make sense to change it as it would probably leak out anyway. I'm not as fanatical as it seems most people seem to be on here, never had any interest in Infiniti cars before this I owned a few nissans in my life and currently have my P.O.S. 90 sentra that I got for $580 and runs great now. What exactly is the white paper towel test?

[maxnix]

Comparing ATF from your dipstick to new ATF.

Being fanatically into preventative maintenance on these cars not only presents a great driving experience, but precludes expensive and premature repairs. When things go wrong on these cars because of neglect, it snowballs quickly.

They are precision machines and should be treated as such for long trouble free life.