My 1996 Q45 will not back up even after shifted in reverse

[bigdog76]

My car does not go in reverse. I can shift it into reverse but it just acts like it is in neutral I can rev the motor and nothing. The car runs fine in drive.

Is this a serious expensive problem and is it transmission related?

Any advise please help?

[bigdog76]

I do recall the last 3 weeks ago the car would act real funny in the morning only when it was cold though.

It would act almost like it wanted to stall at stops. Once it warmed up it was fine.

[maxnix]

Any advise please help?

Without a maintenance history, tough to tell what may be causing the malfunction.

Why not run the AT diagnostic in that section of the FSM?

Then go around to the back of your car and read the trunk.

I bet it says Infiniti.

[rsiwicki]

Same thing has happened to mine and at least 7 other Q45's documented here on NICO. You need a new transmission dude!!!! Something funny about the planetary thing burning up and then causing you to loose reverse. You can get reverse to work...but it is dangerous. Leave the car in reverse while somebody is behind the wheel and then have another person start pushing backwards....the transmission will begin to catch and then you reverse as normal. Some have driven (including myself) for weeeks after this occurred with no problems while the car is in drive....only backing up is the problem.

[rubdog]

Yeap! transmission alright, samething happen to my 95 Q45 I still drove it for about 5 months without reverse runs fine on drive but no reverse, It cost me 2,000 at AAMCO with 1 year warranty. I'ts been about 1year and 7 months, drives smooth.

[Q45tech]

Everytime you buy a 7year or 100k used V8 car just assume/count on you will be replacing the transmission.

Most seem to last until 150k and some fail at 100k and some very well maintained units might make 200K.

All the multidozens of Nissan remans we buy from dealer have lasted more than 60,000 miles or 5 years so important to weigh/balance $3000 vs $2000 in some chain shop franchise where cost cutting is mandatory.

You get what you pay for............

After warranty About 9% of transmission fail each year with 140 million cars about 14 million trannies are repaired/replaced each year.

[bigdog76]

Well thanks everyone for the thoughts.

I have to weight wether she stays or goes I love this car dont want to let her go.

She has roughly 198,000 on her, I got her with 142,000 4years ago.

I did a transmission flush back in September of 05' and since then I think I drove about 20,000 or so.

So basically im looking at $2,000 huh ouch.

Now question if i decided to replace the transmission. my motor isnt going out in the next say 50,000 miles is it????

So some say she drove smooth after the replacement good to know.

For now I will keep her going in one direction.

[TXCumtrensh]

man, be it the case that my trans could go bad that quick, (140,500 miles) I keep it very well maintained, just did a flush, and filter job on it a month ago. im paranoid when it comes to auto-transmissions.. If mine does end up failing.. I see a automatic VG30DETT swap coming along

[maxnix]

She has roughly 198,000 on her, I got her with 142,000 4years ago.

So basically im looking at $2,000 huh ouch.

Cheap for a Nissan remanufactured one that will last the remaining $200K on your engine, providing you have maintained it well.

How can you complain of equipment replacement cost that runs just over 1¢ per mile?

Ought to see what 5 speed and 8 speed automatics cost to replace.

[bigdog76]

Just spoke to my mechanic he referred me to a another shop that handles transmissions.

He quoted me $1,200 if he has to rebuild the complete transmission.Does that sound like a good deal?

My engine is sound I feel strongly about it.I have had the car for 4 years and it has not burned oil or drop oil.

Can anyone give me any confidence that this rebuilt transmission will last me a while?

[szh]

If you plan to keep the car for a long time, then a simple, cheap rebuild will not be the right way to go. And, I would not trust AAmco either!

The right solution, albeit a bit more costly, is to get an Infiniti refurbished one. Costs about $1850 (with core return of the old one) from Joe Tsensky at ww.everythinginfiniti.com for example.

Then, the labor costs to get it done vary a bit depending on where you are located. I had an Infiniti dealer do it for about $800. They gave me a 1 year, 12k miles warranty.

To keep your replacement transmission going well, use a good synthetic ATF (like Mobil 1) and do regular full flushes (not just a simple replacement) every 25k miles. A flush costs about $139 to $199 - depending on the dealer with the right equipment - and well worth it in the long run!

Z

[maxnix]

No Cottmans either.

Z meant http://www.infinitipartsusa.com

Read Q45tech's posts if you have any doubt.

Replace the rear engine seal and third (transmission) motor mount and exhaust hangars at the same time.

Also a good time to add an auxiliary ATF cooler.

[bigdog76]

The car is in the shop getting the transmission rebuilt. Lets cross our fingers I can get another year out of her.

Ill let you all know how she drives after the overhaul of the transmission.

[maxnix]

Rebuilder should offer a one year warranty on parts and labor.

[bigdog76]

Ya warranty is one year or 12,000 miles.

Has anyone done the simple rebuild and had sucess with it last a while if so how many miles?

[Q45tech]

The skill of every parts replacer is different, primarily the pressure to spend the minimal amount of time at that low price point.

Unfortunately they don't know the real damage until they remove and disassemble......................hopefully you won't get an up sell call?

[maxnix]

.......hopefully you won't get an up sell call?

If you do, cease all activity and order the Nissan remaufactured. So much less expensive on the long run.

[bigdog76]

I had my transmission rebuilt last week. It seems to run great. However there is a slight difference in the way it rumbles at about 55-60 mph I informed the transmission guy that rebuilt it and he told me to bring it by and he is going to take a test drive with me.

Anyone heard of this? It shifts better but at higher speeds I hear a slight difference. I just want to make sure this isnt a problem waiting for later.

Also the transmission guy said to do a flush flush in about a 12,000 miles or so..

When is a good time to do the flush on a rebuilt transmission?

[maxnix]

Same as on any transmission. The more frequent, the better.

One would think most of the new clutch and metal parts would be worn of in just a few thousand miles.