Need a new transmission, but its a 96! No one can solve

[CollinBoz]

Hey guys, Im new to the forum and I searched this question on the site but found no answers. I have a 96 300zx N/A and am now experiencing transmission problems. From talking to every Z mechanic in NC and VA, that will listen or I can find, I have come to the conclusion that I need a new transmission. No problem right? Well I have a 96 Z32 and I can not find a matching 96 transmission. Apparently there is a sensor on the 96 transmission only that i must have or it will throw a code. So if I dont get another 96 transmission the car wont run.
So does anyone even know what this sensor is or what it does? So far no one can even answer that. And secondly can I purchase a 90-95 transmission and some how put the sensor on that bell housing. Any other suggestions of how I can find a new transmission to get my baby working again would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Collin

[t.mcginley.jr]

Do you have a 5-speed or auto??

Either way, I've never heard of the 96 having a different transmission.

[CollinBoz]

I have a 5 speed. And I havnt heard of it either, but so far all of the Z specialists in my area say that there is a sensor but have no idea what it does. I have laid eyes on a sensor that I can not find out what it does on drivers side of bell housing, I assume this is the sensor.

[Ace2cool]

If it's on the bellhousing, you can swap that. Not too sure about that though. OBDII doesn't really affect much on the transmission.

[CollinBoz]

So does that mean I can buy just any old 90-96 (0r even 90-99 jspec) transmission and put the sensor onto the new transmission?

[Ace2cool]

Well, what I'm saying is if the sensor is specifically on the bellhousing, then the bellhousing itself will swap over.

What is happening specifically that requires replacement?

[CollinBoz]

It is very hard to explain and maybe you could help me troubleshoot this. My transmission one day felt as if it were, with lack of better words, getting harder to shift. Each gear change took slightly more effort to get it out of one gear and into the next. One day it suddenly locked up, luckily within my driveway. I put it into gear and couldnt get it out, no matter how much you pushed and pulled it was locked in gear. Well after leaving it in this condition for a few days, without touching it, it popped out of gear on its own. So I cautiously drove it around the neighborhood for a while, and it felt perfectly normal. The process slowly began to repeat itself again (normal-->hard to shift-->then locked in gear.) And now, after 3-4 days of sitting is now feeling normal again. Knowing that this cycle will probably repeat itself again I have parked it in the driveway and have resorted to this site for help.
Sorry about the long read, best to just catch you up on the background info.

[Retro-Cow]

If I recall correctly I remember reading that the sensor looks for the teeth on the flywheel. If one breaks off for example and doesn't pass in front of the sensor it throws a starter related code.

[CollinBoz]

That would make sense! So could I somehow drill my sensor into any 300zx transmission so as not to waste my time looking for a 96 trans?

[NolimitZ32]

Your best bet is to get another trans from any year car and swap the bell housing off of your trans onto the new one. Magnetic sensors such as the one that is likely used here (just like an ABS sensor I imagine) have very tight tolerances and if placed 1/32 out of spec will likely give bad or inconsistent readings.

[Retro-Cow]

What else have you checked?
For instance is your clutch disengaging all the way?
If it's not a hydraulic issue (and if you have another means of transportation) then I'd recommend pulling the transmission and checking the clutch.
If you're sure it is the transmission then do what the others have said and simply swap the bellhousing.

[CollinBoz]

I do have another daily but my garage space is full with a 73 240z that I'm restoring. But I believe the clutch is ok. Does not feel different and it just feels like the transmission. Hard to describe.