My Q will not reverse, and sounds like it is in neutral...

[HooverSA]

A few days ago, I made a road trip in my 1994 q45A and had no problems on the way there. When we left, I put it in reverse and it acted just fine. Pulled over in a gas station to get some food and when we tried to back up nothing happened, just lots of rpms... it sounds like it is an neutral and does nothing. No grinding, whining, or any odd noises . At this point I am hoping it may be a solenoid or something to that nature but I am worried this may be a problem beyond my abilities. I have heard rumor that you can convert this car to a 5 speed with the 300zx tt transmission and a hand full of other parts. If it will be cheaper, I very well may do that as I am under the impression to rebuild my transmission will run me between $1,300 and $2,000. I am open for as many suggestions as can be thrown my way. Please please please someone give me some advice. I am not made of money lol. Thanks!

_Andy_

[evand]

I think my car is starting to do this (01 y33). Reverse works fine but when i put the car into drive it always take 1.5+ seconds to actually go into drive and sometimes it takes 3-5 seconds to shift into drive. I am in the same boat as you but as I am in college working a minimum wage job so i definately wont have the money to fix this if it is anything major

[HooverSA]

I hope to solve my problem by putting in another transmission, torque converter, and drive line from a car that worked. Wish me luck!

[micheal066]

HooverSA,
I just haad the same thing happen to my 07 M35x this past weekend. I drove it to and from Ohio from Charlotte, NC during the week and took it to the Infiniti dealership on saturday for an oil change and multi point inspection... the inspection said my transmission was fine. After I left the car wouldn't go into reverse. I took it to them again today and they tell me its just coincidence. COINCIDENCE MY A*S.. I'm trying to fight them and am contimplating going to the investigative reports at the loca news channels but wanted to look at all my options. Did you pick up a used transmission? The dealership told me $4,900 + tax for a new one installed. If you or anyone else knows if there is an electronic reset or a cheaper way to fix this please let me know. I'm no way able to swing $5k right now and I can't sell a car that won't go in reverse.

Thanks for your help!
Curtis

[240RB1]

Check the transmission fluid level.if there isn't enough fluid the pump can't do its job to pump the reverse section of the valve body-check the fluid.....obvious things first.

[HooverSA]

I can tell you that the way MY transmission is set it is as follows:
First and second are regular gears, 3rd (had lots of vibration) is a direct link with the motor, and 4th is a gear. Reverse is a direct link with the motor. My reverse is gone due to some bands going out and i picked up a used one thanks to the nico forums. Someone was parting their q out, i went and pulled it and moved on from there. What I am getting at is, does your 3rd gear have vibrations in it as well? If so this is more than likely your problem. My suggestion to you is check all the basic parts, do a diagnosis on it according to the manual, and if you are still have the same problems, I suggest find a local mechanic who will do it for you or get your hands dirty. All else fails, sell it on the nico forums. God knows I would buy it and put one in it without a second thought. Word of advice, Post on the forum under your car section and ask people to walk you through changing your transmission so you get an idea of what you are getting into before you do it. Hope this helps. Any other questions, ask away. I am still learning about my car as it is but I can research this stuff all day long and never mind it at all.

[HooverSA]

Oh and another bit of info, Infiniti quoted me $4,999 for a new transmission, PLUS labor of $1,999 AND $165 for fluids... another $499 to dispose of my old transmission, and another $200 to put it on the rack and "Break in my new transmission" Non of this came with a warranty due to the age of my car and they said as of next year, they will not be allowed to service my car (including oil changes) due to the age... grand total is 8,589.26 after my state taxes... yeah... used transmission with me doing the labor it is.

[Rex]

I find lots of problems witht he #'s and info they provided you, but that's not much help to you.

What may be helpful is, Infiniti of Scottsdale was able to under bid my local dealer (by 50% or so) a few years back when I replaced a transmission. I used a local Transmission shop to do the installation. They agreed to do it for a flat fee ($350 labor and fluids) if I exclusively used "new" parts ... they didn't want to be blamed for any used parts issues.

Unfortunately, at this point a transmission repair cost exceeds most peoples value of the car regardless of what the repair costs'.

[elwesso]

Unfortunately, at this point a transmission repair cost exceeds most peoples value of the car regardless of what the repair costs'.

That's really the unfortunate part. I guess you have to evaluate of the car is worth the repair cost to fix or just get rid of it and cut your losses.

If the car is in good shape, spending a few grand on a new trans isn't so bad considering you wouldn't be able to get CLOSE to as nice of a car for that money.

[HooverSA]

Good news. I finished putting my transmission in and got my car ready to drive, tested it, and ta-da! It shifts and you can`t even feel it. It's like there isn't even a transmission there. Amazing! Labor intensive, yes... but worth every sleepless night. As far as the value goes, there is a reason I was working on my car in 20 degree weather outside over night for more than one night... and no it's not because I am a moron, it's because there really isn't another car close to the quality, ride, and power all in one package that I know of.

[OwnerCS]

Congratulations! Always cool to see a good guy get a win.

[HooverSA]

Thank you!!! I love this car!

[Romeo5k]

DAMN!!!!!!Well with this thread, im screwed. I thought there was a maybe a small remedy.. NEW transmission? Out the question. Im at almost 290k Car wayyy too old for all that. So what i tried was draining about 2 quarts of transmission from the car (at the drain under tha car of course) And pour the whole thing of Lucas i bought today in the transmission. Car still wont reverse:-( Got 1st 2nd 3rd, and a slight delay into drive. Reverse sounds like neutral!Well, looks like i might need to start writing out the divorce papers

[Q451990]

Time to go all Wes on it and do the M/T conversion!

[Romeo5k]

How much is that gonna cost? How long is the process?

[Infinitiguy19]

Why not flush the transmission till the fluid comes out as clean as it went in?