Pulsar Auto Trans Problems

[Ozzmosis]

Hello!

I just bought a 87 Pulsar with the E16i engine, and I have some transmission issues. The car will not move in Reverse, and it doesn't shift out of 1st gear while driving, and there is no engine braking either. Here is what the FSM suggests to check:

"Failure to change from 1st - 2nd"1. Control Cable2. Throttle Wire3. Detent Valve4. Oil Quality5. Manual Valve6. Govenor7. Transaxle Air Check8. Band Servo9. Band Brake10. Oil Passage Leak

"Engine brake does not operate in "1st"1. Control Cable2. Line Pressure3. Oil Quality4. Manual Valve5. Transaxle Air Check6. Low and Reverse brake7. Oil Passage Leak

"Vehicle will not run in "R" range (but runs in "D", "2" and "1" ranges) Clutch Slips, Very poor acceleration.1. Oil Level2. Control Cable3. Line Pressure4. Oil Quality5. Manual Valve6. Transmission Air Check7. Low and reverse brake8. High-reverse clutch (front)9. Forward Clutch (rear)10. Oil Passage Leak11. High-reverse clutch (front) check ball

So when I drove the car today, I checked the shifter, and it felt like all the detents were there and in the proper location, there was no binding or anything out of the ordinary, so I think I can rule out the control cable. I haven't checked the throttle cable that runs to the transmission yet, so if thats sticking open, that could explain why its not shifting out of 1st gear. One of the common things that the FSM says to check with the simptoms is the manual valve. Has anyone noticed that the manual valve is problematic in these transmissions? Do they stick, become sticky, or bind in the valve body? I kinda think that it could be the problem, but who knows...

How does one perform a "Transaxle air check"?

I checked the fluid too, and its right up to where it should be, but has a noticable burnt smell, and when i wiped the rag there were black deposits on it. Maybe I should do a service on it, and while I'm in there, drop the valve body, and have a look at the manual valve to see if I can see any problems inside. I could also adjust a band in there thats accessible when the pan is off.....

Thanks for lisening, and I hope one of you Nissan techs can help me with this one!

[NISTECH]

by your description that trans is not worth even trying to fix. primarily since it wont go in reverse and it doesnt shift. by the time your done repairing that trans the cost of parts would exceed the price of a used one. The engine braking concern indicates a possible broken hard part.(new hard parts aren't cheap)

[Ozzmosis]

Hey thanks for the reply. I'll just snag a parts car and swap the trans... One more thing, do you think I could swap the manual trans and the parts that go with it from a 86 Pulsar will fit in the 87? I know the changover occurs there, but they engines are the same... Just wondering if maybe there is a final drive or sensor difference between the 86 trans and the 87 one?

If my message isn't clear, i'll type up a better one later

Thanks alot!

[NISTECH]

I dont know for sure on the differences. but I would assume its still the same if the engine hasent changed.