please help with transmission...

[1991q45]

i have a maxima se with 126k on the odometer.fluid has always been changed regularly.this problem started yesterday and hopefully someone can shed some light onto this.

when you first start the car. put it in drive and take off once you get to about 15-20mph it feels like it goes into 4th gear and the torque converter locks up.THIS IS WHEN THE ENGINE AND TRANS ARE COLD (AND IT'S VERY COLD OUTSIDE).

if you floor it (which i hate doing on a cold motor) it'll take awhile to down shift but once it does everything is fine from there on out.

but if i let the car run for about a minute it's fine.

reverse works fine.fluid is fine, no burnt smell.trans shifts fine.

please help and thanks in advance

[jltibbs]

You say the fluid is changed regularly, what about the filter?

[loystock]

Better do a pan drop, clean the pan and magnets and replace the filter. Then re-install with new gasket. When removing the filter bolts, take note of their length and location. Some of them may have differences in length and may even have a nut installed. You need good lighting while working down there. You might as wel check the condition of external electrical connectors and cables and clean as required.

After servicing, add an exact amount of ATF drained. It would be advisable to flush the transmission fluid, then add Lubegard Red (not black) at the end of the flush.

[1991q45]

yea filter too.i did a pan drop about 4k miles ago.

it had a little bit of material. not alot. barely covered the magnets

[loystock]

Which type of fluid/brand did you use? Did you add Lubegard Red after the fluid replacement?

[1991q45]

the person before has receipts of her taking it to have the fluid changed out.

but i used regular trans fluid.did'nt add any additives.

a lil update.today i did the same thing. this time i put it in 1st.it down shifts into first. but it felt like it was going from 1st to 4th. it did it about 4 or 5 times.like i said if you floor it it'll downshift but it'll be fine after that.

also if you let the car run for about 30 seconds or so, it's fine.

[loystock]

If the ATF color is still pinkish red, I'd say just get Lubegard Red (@ $14 from Napa or other stores).

If the ATF color is faded or dark, you might as well do a flush or just do multiple drain and refill (run engine for @ 100 secs, then drain and refill, repeat 3-4 times). Multiple drain and refill will not match an ATF flush but much better than a single drain and refill. Nissan Matic-D is the preferred fluid but Dexron III or the newer and better Dexron VI will do the job. Mobil 1 and AMSOIL ATFs are expensive but cheaper brands are now available. Even Walmart sells Dexron VI - your call.

Are you using synthetic oil? 0W-30 or 0W-40 are well suited for cold weather.Or maybe the weather is just too cold for your engine and transmission. For as long as you can get normal shifting within 30 seconds, I personally, wouldn't be concerned, unless it remained in warmer weather.

[1991q45]

i use 5w-30 all year round.and it's never too cold for the maxima engine. lol.i plan on adding an external cooler (stacked plate design). but as i noticed it seems the max runs decently cool at normal temp.

[1991q45]

well a little update.today the t/c locked up between 25-30mph.when i let go of the gas it released.then when i put my foot back on the gas it locked.i did this a few mores times and it kept doing it.

lower speeds it did'nt do it.so i just floored it and it was "normal" again.