M56x hesitation

[vp007]

I have been complaining to the dealer about a hesitation with my car for over a year and they always tell me yeah it's the transmission and that's the way they all are. The problem is more tied to the traction control than the transmission - has anyone else experienced something like this?

I am now driving the car in sport mode and I press the button to turn off the traction control each time I drive the car - this makes some improvement.
The button gives me a yellow light of the car with wavy lines under its wheels.

The hesitation is more like a complete lack of power although sometimes the car surges after a brief pause.
I can't reproduce it on demand, but most of the time this happens it is after hard breaking, a sharp turn, going over a crest in the road while turning or when hitting a pothole while accelerating. Pretty much if the car is off balance or spins a tire it shifts the car into a lower gear and the acceleration is almost zero.

The car is a 2011 M56X. The mechanics always say wow this car has so much power. How can you complain about the acceleration??
This has been very frustrating. Anyone?

[The Bodyguard]

I've had very similar situations with my M45S.... I've noticed better acceleration when I hit the pedal with ease rather than try and floor it while passing.... The power being transmitted to the rear wheels is so effortless no matter what speed I feel like I'm Cruisin'!!:crazy: ! It just glides down the highway!! You have to kind of "learn" to manage all this power...

[m4m]

I would go back to dealer (may go to diffent one, since this won't even bother to check on it for you) and make sure your car has the following latest software update for Transmission Control Module (TCM):
ITB11008
The 7 speed automatic transmission in an Applied Vehicle has one or more of the following conditions: - Excessive engine braking felt after lifting off the accelerator pedal - Hesitation when accelerating from a stop - Harsh downshift from 7th gear during hard acceleration - Excessive vibration during light acceleration.

HTH

[vp007]

m4m do you know when that update came out? They updated the transmission last year and I was told just a few months ago that everything was up to date. I have just a few months and a few miles to decide if I will go through their arbitration program.

[m4m]

vp007,
there is a dedicated forum for 2011and up M series:
http://www.freshalloy.com/forums/showth ... p?t=201953
check it out for dates and more info in general...
GL

[vp007]

I'm going to try driving in manual mode...have not tried that yet.
Should be interesting. I got a list of updates and there have been a few since my last oil change. WIll bring the car in for service soon. Thanks for the info. Good stuff.

[qship96]

duplicate post

[qship96]

I have been complaining to the dealer about a hesitation with my car for over a year and they always tell me yeah it's the transmission and that's the way they all are. The problem is more tied to the traction control than the transmission - has anyone else experienced something like this?

I am now driving the car in sport mode and I press the button to turn off the traction control each time I drive the car - this makes some improvement.
The button gives me a yellow light of the car with wavy lines under its wheels.

The hesitation is more like a complete lack of power although sometimes the car surges after a brief pause.
I can't reproduce it on demand, but most of the time this happens it is after hard breaking, a sharp turn, going over a crest in the road while turning or when hitting a pothole while accelerating. Pretty much if the car is off balance or spins a tire it shifts the car into a lower gear and the acceleration is almost zero.

The car is a 2011 M56X. The mechanics always say wow this car has so much power. How can you complain about the acceleration??

This has been very frustrating. Anyone?

Based on your description of when the "problem" occurs, it sounds normal,and due to the traction control sensing that one/both rear wheels has momentarily lost grip therefore the traction control system cuts the engines power{and you feel it as "hesitation" until tire regains grip. This happens even with my old 1996 Q.....

[vp007]

UPDATE - I have tried shifting the car and the results were interesting.
It seems the car gives me one shot to drive the wheels off of it and it responds perfectly.
I can get the car completely sideways in first gear.
Unfortunately, reality kicks back in and then some.
On two different attempts, I have let loose, broken traction and was able to drive without any adjustments from 'the computer.'
After each time I have done this, the car hesitates badly, but not until I have stepped off of the gas.
This is different from the original complaint that the car would not accelerate from a stop.
The car gets jerky the next time I accelerate after backing off of the gas. Performance continues like this for a few minutes. After each test, I put the car back into drive and the car goes back to normal without the bad hesitation.
My main original complaint is a hesitation after a harsh stop and then jumping back on the gas.

[racerbeav]

@vp007, any chance you made some headway on this? I have a 2012 M56S that's doing all of these same things that require the same steps to resolve. I'm looking for some more info before I go to the dealer.

Anyone else experienced this with their M56? Any suggestions on TSBs, etc?

[Ilya]

Moving this thread to the right section (it was missed when the Y51 forum was created).

That being said, my 2011 that I just picked up had the torque converter replaced by the previous owner under warranty as they were describing something similar to the dealer.

[NoTalentLoser]

Moving this thread to the right section (it was missed when the Y51 forum was created).

That being said, my 2011 that I just picked up had the torque converter replaced by the previous owner under warranty as they were describing something similar to the dealer.

Hmmm... do you know if there's any way to discern between the symptoms of a bad torque convert and simply needing a software update? Are there one or two distinct symptoms/occurrences that indicate the torque converter needs replacing?

[Ilya]

Moving this thread to the right section (it was missed when the Y51 forum was created).

That being said, my 2011 that I just picked up had the torque converter replaced by the previous owner under warranty as they were describing something similar to the dealer.

Hmmm... do you know if there's any way to discern between the symptoms of a bad torque convert and simply needing a software update? Are there one or two distinct symptoms/occurrences that indicate the torque converter needs replacing?

I can read through the service history of my car again when I get home and see if they added any other notes.

[veery]

Moving this thread to the right section (it was missed when the Y51 forum was created).

That being said, my 2011 that I just picked up had the torque converter replaced by the previous owner under warranty as they were describing something similar to the dealer.

Hmmm... do you know if there's any way to discern between the symptoms of a bad torque convert and simply needing a software update? Are there one or two distinct symptoms/occurrences that indicate the torque converter needs replacing?

I would expect issues at a complete stop in drive - vibration, lurching, surging, if the TC is malfunctioning, and perhaps a lag between hitting the gas and leaving the stopped position.

[agoodall]

Sometimes my M37x will be a little hesitant, but I have noticed its also how I use the gas pedal. Try pushing the gas from the top of the pedal rather than the bottom. The response from the top of the pedal is a lot better than the bottom IMO.

I keep mine in Sport with Traction turned off,unless there is 3"+ of snow on the ground.

[racerbeav]

Thanks for the tip agoodall - will give that a try...I've found that it happens mostly when I'm turning and getting on the gas. I don't even get on the gas hard but the car (computer, torque convertor, or whatever) knows better than me so it bogs for literally a second or longer - won't accelerate at all...not so fun when you're turning out into traffic and expect the car to go! I literally have enough time to cuss at the car while it's stalling to encourage it to move along.

BTW, disabling VDC doesn't fix the issue nor does removing the two VDC fuses to completely disable that "feature". It acts as if there's some other VDC or traction control kicking in that's not based off of those fuses...or perhaps it's a software or torque convertor issue.

The thing I'm dreading is taking it to the dealer and trying to get them to replicate the problem. I went down this road with an '09 Dodge Ram with a similar issue and no one could figure it out so I sold the truck. I doubt they'll be able to or they'll say it's fine. I know it's not. I leased a 2012 G37S with all the same nanny controls on it and it *never* had this problem. Any thoughts on the approach I should take with the service advisor and tech I speak with would be much appreciated...thanks!

[NoTalentLoser]

I would expect issues at a complete stop in drive - vibration, lurching, surging, if the TC is malfunctioning, and perhaps a lag between hitting the gas and leaving the stopped position.

Hmmm... in that case, I'm wondering if I may be experiencing an issue with the TC. I notice sometimes that when I'm either accelerating from a stop or slowing to a stop, the car will sometimes do three "mini-lurches," where it seems like it goes back-and-forth for a second or two. It's hard to explain, but it's more than just a vibration... more like a back-and-forth shake, maybe?

[veery]

Torque converter converts centrifugal energy into hydraulic pressure which in turn drives the car forward (simple analysis). Don't know if this will help you diagnose, but that is what happens.

[racerbeav]

In the event anyone else is having the same issues, I took my M56 to the dealer, and thankfully I connected with a mechanic that knew his stuff. This is a known issue with the engine and transmission computer firmware. He applied the updates and, low and behold, I have my hot-rod sedan back!!

In the event you need to visit the dealer and ask about the TSB, my work order says: "Reprogrammed TCM and ECM per ITB12-021B". Hope this helps someone out there!

[Ilya]

In the event anyone else is having the same issues, I took my M56 to the dealer, and thankfully I connected with a mechanic that knew his stuff. This is a known issue with the engine and transmission computer firmware. He applied the updates and, low and behold, I have my hot-rod sedan back!!

In the event you need to visit the dealer and ask about the TSB, my work order says: "Reprogrammed TCM and ECM per ITB12-021B". Hope this helps someone out there!

Was this free of charge?

[AlphaSnacks]

If you're warrantied, yes.

[Ilya]

Nice. I am.

[Raran1]

Gentlemen
I test drove an 2011 M56x (105k) that I had posed some questions on between that and a TL 6 spd. The timing chain has been done along with all hoses, belts, spark plugs, fluids. Guy bought a truck. The only thing I noticed (and don't know if it's the same issue) was a little hesitation or shudder/shaking from 1-2nd shift. All others seemed fine, thing is powerful and ran like stink. Only been serviced at Infiniti dealers it's whole life. Beautiful shape. Cheap - compared to anything else out there. Divorce situation.

Ideas?

[Ilya]

I have a tiny bit of shaking when going from a stop but Infiniti techs did a ride-along and said it was normal behaviour. If it's really pronounced, it might be the torque converter as previously mentioned (never experienced it, just going off of what the work history for my car reads in terms of customer comments).

[Raran1]

Thank you sir, I will take possession on Monday! As you described, it is barely noticeable, but I did 'feel' something. I will check with the dealer to see if the above TSB has been done and if not I will probably have them do it. Can't imagine it's too outrageous.