Loss of power

[frustratedaf]

Hi all,

I have a '12 Altima with about 54k miles on it. About 2 years ago, on a 3.5-hour trip, the car just suddenly wouldn't accelerate for anything. Middle of the freeway going 70, I couldn't accelerate to pass, and if I dropped speed to accommodate someone braking or something, it just would hardly accelerate even if I floored it. If I'd had to go up a steep bridge I might not have even made it. Obviously super dangerous not to mention irritating. This only happens when I am on trips of some duration.

I got to where I was going, after limping along, and the next day everything was back to working fine. This happened on another trip, and finally I started googling around, saw that there are overheating issues with the CVT, and took it in to the dealer.

By this time (it had been several months), the brake light was on. I just figured the brakes needed servicing. Turns out the fluid was low. The dealership told me the car went into "limp home" mode, but claimed the two issues (brake fluid and loss of power) were linked and that I needed to get my brakes serviced and that would take care of it.

I wasn't convinced, but ok. I did that, but it wasn't until Memorial Day of this year that I took another trip of any distance. Same thing happened, about 2 hours in it failed, same stuff. Can't accelerate, won't "downshift" to pass, floored would barely accelerate, RPMs wouldn't go much above 2200 even pegged to the floor. Then I took another trip a couple weeks ago, same thing happened. And this never happens other than on trips of more than an hour or so. Around town, it's fine.

Took it in to the dealership today expecting to hear that they're going to install the cooling assembly I keep reading about. Instead they claim that the valve body needs to be replaced and that's what is causing the problem.

I have serious doubts that this will fix the problem, but maybe. My car is 54000 miles and I have an extended warranty so it's being replaced under warranty, so it's no monetary loss to me, but I just can see myself having to go back and back to the dealership to get this really sorted out. Plus, I have a very long trip coming up week after Labor Day and I really can't have this happen on a 7-hour trip. So I guess I'll have to take a weekend trip when I get it back to see how it really does before this planned trip.

Anyway, I guess my question to y'all is could the valve body really be what's causing this? Or am I looking at more wrestling with the dealership to get this sorted out?

thanks...

[lexcrob]

Im not familiar with your problems but a valve body in a CVT doesn't sound quite right. Ill assume its called something different which controls the transmission.

My only advice is keep every single record of repairs done. Dates names mileage receipts everything. Keep it all in a folder bring it all with you every time you revisit the dealer. Ask questions get answers in writing. Tell them you cannot have your vehicle down and are very concerned. Take notes of there responses ask for their names write everything down.

Sadly they will likely try to wait out your warranty or just let you take it somewhere else because they can't figure it out.

Just make sure you cross all your T's. If it continues to go down on you then you can possibly file an auto insurance claim that the vehicle is damage beyond repair. The darker side is seeking legal help with a lawyer. Sadly it will cost a fortune and its not a nice route. Maybe even politely ask the dealer if they think you have legal grounds for repeated breakdowns. There are lots of things that can go bad for you in this situation and for the dealer.


As far as what the problem could be a long shot is to put a brand new battery in the thing. There is normally 30 computers or more that need smooth power from it. I've seen a tested bad then good then bad battery cause crazy stuff.

[lexcrob]

With today's cars running CAN systems 30+ computers and thread sized wires and pins sometimes nobody can fix them. I've seen a few go down now that even manufacture engineers couldn't figure out.

[frustratedaf]

Thanks, I actually just had a new battery put in a few months ago so I don't think it's that.