Maxima transmission troubles

[xxvy10xx]

I posted here awhile ago and you guys helped me, i was wondering if anyone could help me this time...I have a 96 maxima and the other day my transmission started shifting really hard into 2nd gear. It doesn't rev high or anything it just shifts really hard. My overdrive light blinks 16 times when i put it on the on position and i got a code that read solenoid valve a. i was wondering weather or not this will fix the problem. I don't want to spend money on a new transmission if i don't need to, cause then I'm going to have to junk the car and i love it. I read up about this and heard something about limp mode, but i don't really know what that is. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

[maxhopper]

I would check the magnets on the inside of the trans pan to see if there is a lot of material on them. If they look pretty good I would go ahead and replace the solenoid. If there is a lot of material on the magnets, then you probably have internal issues.

If you do get a new trans, I would try to find a low mileage one out of a junk yard. http://www.car-parts.com or http://www.lkqcorp.com

[zul8tr]

I posted here awhile ago and you guys helped me, i was wondering if anyone could help me this time...I have a 96 maxima and the other day my transmission started shifting really hard into 2nd gear. It doesn't rev high or anything it just shifts really hard. My overdrive light blinks 16 times when i put it on the on position and i got a code that read solenoid valve a. i was wondering weather or not this will fix the problem. I don't want to spend money on a new transmission if i don't need to, cause then I'm going to have to junk the car and i love it. I read up about this and heard something about limp mode, but i don't really know what that is. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

How often have you been replacing the fluid and what type and brand have you used?

I have had good service with the latest Castrol blend made for imports that is equivelent to Nissan matic D fluid. They sell it at Wal Mart.

As noted by maxxhopper97 look into the magnet sludge and determine if an issue. If sludge appears excessive I would clean out the pan clean the stainless steel filter still do a fluid change (using the Castrol I noted) and see how that works. A lot cheaper than a transmission purchase and replace.

Note with pan removal and pulling the filter for cleaning you should expect to put back about 6 quarts. That is what my 98 I30 took with such a service.

Might also want to retreive the transmission diagnostic codes and see what is stored. Haynes manual describes the process

[bpomps]

im having this same issue on my 00' max. let me know what you find/figure out!

edit - code im getting is P0720 - which i dont see listed in the code list on here!
Modified by bpomps at 3:20 PM 4/16/2009