J30 third gear

[Chris Halkides]

Hello Everyone,

I have s 1997 J30t with 54,000 miles. The check engine light come on twice in the last few days, once while slowing down or stopping at an intersection. The code that came up was PO733, which has something to do with the car's not being able to find third gear. I have been perusing my FSM, but with only modest success. What is the most likely problem?

Chris

[Q45tech]

PO733 also might indicate that the down shift [when coming to a stop the transmission does 3>2>1 didn't occur at the time the tcu thought was appropriate.Probably just dirty ATF...[slow shifts]......was the transmission ATF replaced at 30k, if not it is surely time for a pan drop, filter change and flush........assuming you want it to last as long as possible.

Remember you are dealing with a $3,000 cost to replace so spend PM money now to defer this expense.

Lubeguard red/black [half bottle] additives are worth while additions after the flush.

[Chris Halkides]

Hello Dennis, The fluid was replaced at 45,000 (a little over a year ago). However, that was the first time it had been replaced, if my records are accurate. I bought the car used, and made the assumption that since the car had a 30,000 mile service at an Infiniti dealer in Atlanta, they would have flushed. That was a dumb assumption in hindsight, since I would like to keep the car for a long time. Should I flush again anyway? Who makes lubeguard? BG?Chris

[Chris Halkides]

Hello, My shop changed the fluid and cleaned but did not change the filter (I thought I made it clear to change the filter, but...). So far the check engine light has not come back on. However, I feel very foolish about the filter, since I have passed along the advice to change the filter without understanding why cleaning the filter is not as good as changing it.1. Does cleaning the filter fail to remove small particles? I have read posts here by Maxnix and Q45tech that implied something to that effect, but I am not sure.2. Q45tech alluded to a TSB that discusses the problems with not changing the screen. How do I access this and other TSB's?3. Should I just wait until my next flush/pan drop to get the filter changed? I was thinking of doing so in 12-18 months (8-12k miles).Thanks

[maxnix]

1.) Yes, not all particles can be freed, so filtering action is compromised. And what if they do become free later in your transmission?

2.) By purchasing a one day subscription to http://www.nissan-techinfo.com/infiniti/ or do a search at the federal site (NHTSA ?) for some bad faxed copies.

3.) With that many miles, I would replace the filter soon. It will only cost you a few quarts of ATF and the labor.