Automatic Transmission Blown?

[darioism]

So there I was, late for a wedding, in a suit, in the rain, and my 240 would not budge. I had pulled it out of my parking lot and into my driveway to load my bags, and noticed a whining noise, but thought nothing of it because the car had been sitting for about 3 weeks. But then, when I put it into reverse to pull out, it was like it was stuck in neutral. I shut it off, started again, and it seemed OK in reverse and drive until I got to the end of the block, and then it just didn't move. Only VERY slightly if I revved it. Fluid levels are good. Could it be my transmission pump? Electrical? TC? I had to push it off the road and get it towed

1993 240sx SE, KA24DE, Automatic, 150k miles

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[phillip fair]

Just by chance did you have your transmission serviced recently? You can also run a transmission diagnostic through the on board computer. I had run into exactly the same thing about 2 months ago. I flushed and serviced my transmission and then went on a trip to Disney World the trip went great no problems at all. I got into the car a couple of day later and started to town then all of a sudden it was almost like it shifted into neutral I pulled of the road put it in park and checked my fluid it was perfect. I then got back in the car shut it off and sat there scratching my head trying imagine what it could be. I started back up and pulled it into gear it then went into Drive and everything worked normal. I drove the car home and hooked up my diagnostic computer but couldn't find any problems in the electrial circuit so I thought that it could be my torque converter and it also had that whine you discribed. I then ran the Nissan diagnostic procedure to check for any possible faults I came back clear. So for the heck of it I put my car up on jackstands so that I could check all of my connections and thats when I decided to drop the pan of course I expected the worse but to my dismay the pan was clean I carefully drained and inspected the fluid remarkably it was just as clean. I started checking the connections inside the transmission and thats when I noticed something the filter appeared to be clogged. I removed the filter and cut it open I was shocked it didn't just appear clogged it was almost completely clogged with old sediment. Apparently when I flushed and serviced my transmission it broke loose all of the crudd and ended up in the filter I changged my filter and reserviced the transmisson I have been driving it every day since with no problems. So the first thing I would do is run a diagnostic if it comes back good then I would drop the pan for a look see. If you need help running a diagnostic I can email you a copy of the procedure I hope this helps

[darioism]

That does sound like the same problem I'm having, except that I didn't have the transmission serviced recently. A few months back, I had a problem where it wouldn't shift out of first for the first shift of the day, but that kind of went away. Maybe it's related. It would make sense that it's a clogged filter. Would I need anything special to drain the pan and replace the filter? I've never worked on a transmission before, and frankly, they're a bit intimidating. I'll PM you with my e-mail address.

Any other thoughts?

[phillip fair]

You don't need any spiecal tools a 10mm socket ,extension and ratchet. you'll need a drain pan to catch the fluid. New fluid and filter. Your in luck these transmissions also have a drain plug. Just take your time and don't over tighten the pan bolts. In fact I would use a nut driver to tighten them that way you can over tighten. If you have any questions just let me know. I would still run a diagnostic just to be sure that there is not an electrical related problem. Also Check your Grounds it was suggsted to me to install a seperate ground from the transmission to frame. These are electrical trannys and a bad ground can cause the some of same problems.

[darioism]

The guy at the transmission shop (where it got towed to) just called and told me that it's the torque converter, which would need to get replaced along with an entire transmission rebuild or replacement. Do you think this is a load of crap to get money? I might just have them tow it back to my place so I can diagnose myself.

[phillip fair]

I don't think is intentionaly trying to pull one over on you because the way mine was acting I was absollutely convinced that it was my torque converter I almost ordered one when I decided to first speak to a good friend of mine which is also in my opinion to be one of the best transmission guys I know. He told me that torque converters in this transmission aren't bad to go out he said that it sounded more like an electrical problem which supported my original conclusion. He was the person that suggested me to check my ground and install an extra one for good measure he also suggested for me too drop the pan and make sure that it's ok. Here's what I would do since the car is already at the shop I would run the Nissan dianostic if it it comes back clear then find out how much they would charge to drop the pan and take a look. If it's fairly clean and the filter appears clogged then have them change the filter and service the transmission. Don't let them convince you at first that the transmission is shot , every transmission makes a little metal if it has less than a teaspoon of material resembleing gold dust then don't be alarmed. The transmission guy might seem very convinced that he is right but ask him to humor you. Stand right there as he drops the pan so that you can look it . Post your email and i'll send you the diagnostic procedure it's a little tricky but it works and I can walk you through it just let me know. Good luck with it

[darioism]

Thanks, Phillip. I sent you an e-mail but I think the address you have on record is misspelled... so just in case, mine is [email protected].

[phillip fair]

I sent you a copy of part 1 of 3 of the Nissan automatic transmission diagnostic let me know if you got it .

[darioism]

Nope, didn't get it. Did you get my e-mail?

[phillip fair]

No I didn't I'll try again

[240SXCL]

Hey, this is a good idea. I really should check this out on my Subaru SVX. The same thing was happening. It doesn't go fast in first or second gear but reverse wont budge and its like neutral. The SVX has been known for transmission problems but I didn't know that if the filter is clogged this might happen. About the whining noise I get that and its probably louder than your guys car since it is a bigger engine. Thanks for some refreshing on the transmission probs Phillip. I should do that and let u guys know about it later.

[darioism]

Well, I got my car back (still broken) and I'm going to do some diagnostics this weekend according to the FSM. If the problem is the torque converter, what does it take to replace it? I assumed it was just a swap, but the transmission shop guy said it would still involve taking the gearbox apart.

[LayNLow240]

to replace the torque converter, you have to drop the transmission, then there are like 4-6 bolts holding the torque converter to the flexplate. you have to get a ratched in between the engine the flexplate to access them. then it just pulls off. then reverse the procedure for installation.so no, you do not have to take the gearbox apart. you just have to separate the trans from the engine. by "taking apart the gearbox" i assume he is meaning like take it apart down to where you can access the gears themselves and what not.

[darioism]

The 240sx is all fixed. For the record, it turned out to be a $30 transmission oil filter. Once that was swapped out (and the transmission flushed), the thing runs beautifully. If this problem happens to anyone else, start by hooking up a pressure gauge. If the pressure is too low, replace your filter and flush the fluid. Don't let the transmission shop tell you that the whole thing needs to get replaced until you do your own basic diagnostics!

[donniewoodruff]

Stumbled upon this post after I had a whirling noise coming from the torque converter. I had a co-worker listen to it and he suggested it was the torque converter...soon thereafter, the transmission began to slip and I could hardly pull it into a parking spot. Had it towed to a local transmission place and they agreed with my co-worker...TC going and time for a rebuild of the transmission (original transmission with 161K on it).

I found this post and decided to give it a try. I was able to get the car home without any problems (about 2 miles away) and $36 later (filter, gasket, and fluid) she appears to be running great. No more whirling noise from the TC (or pump?) and no slippage of the transmission.

You guys saved me $1600.

THANKS!