QX4 Transmission Problem

[humsafar77]

When I start my car in morning, after driving about few minutes mostly in 1st gear, the RPM starts going high upto 3500 to 4000 rpms and the car barely moves, after few minutes it becomes okay, this happens only in Stop and Go traffic, because I get stuck in traffic jam as soon as I leave my Parking and then all the way till my office the traffic is like this, this problem only happens in stop and go kind of traffic, On holidays when there is not traffic and I dont have to stop and go every second moment, then the rpms behave normaly,

any ideas guys,

please ask if my question is ambiguous, i will try to elaborate further, I m not much of a narrator, however will try to explain as much as possible.

Edit : By the way my QX4 is 2002 (Japanese made) and have 105K Kms on it.

[Towncivilian]

You are confusing me. Your pictures posted in the other thread look clearly like a Pathfinder, Nissan logo and black handles and all. Your post says you have a 2002 QX4, but your profile says 2003 QX4. Also, all R50s are made in Japan. I will assume you have a post-facelift Pathfinder.

Does this only occur in first to second gear shifts, or second to third gear shifts, and when the vehicle is cold and has been sitting overnight? If so, it is called shift flare. The transmission slips during shifting, and the slippage occurs to the point that the engine RPMs rise and it seems as if the transmission is no longer in gear. Does this describe your issue?

[humsafar77]

The car u are referring in other post is indeed a pathfinder R50. I have also mentioned that I sold it. Now I m having a QX4. Which is a 2002 model. The problem I mentioned in above post pertains to QX4.

You have almost described it correctly, it does happen when the car is sitting idle over night, though the temp here is not much cold, it is about 75 f. I cannot tell u if this slipping occours in 2nd to 3rd gear as well because due to very heavy traffic jam. I never get a chance to cross 20 kph.

This problem was not there earlier. It started two weeks ago, when i got my car steamed washed both body and under chasis.

Is there any cure to this problem? Will it get worse with the time or will not have any efect in long run. I drive the car in desert on weekends. And it drives fine, and i dont feel any loss of power.


So what is ur opinion

[Towncivilian]

Oh, my apologies. I did not thoroughly read the post.

A 2002 QX4 should not have the infamous shift flare problem - the technical service bulletin states that it's only for 2001 QX4s. Can you provide the manufacturing date of your QX4? It is located on the driver door jamb sticker.

What's the condition and level of the transmission fluid?

1. Drive around for 10 minutes in the city after the transmission is at operating temperature.
2. Park on level surface and apply parking brake.
3. With P selected, shift through every gear and return to P.
4. Pull transmission dipstick with engine idling, wipe clean, reinsert completely, and read level. It must be within the notched areas labeled "HOT". Check for fluid contamination after wiping on a paper towel.

The fluid should be red, and not smell burnt.

[humsafar77]

Its April 2002 Manufactured.

Transmission oil and filter are changed recently, so the oil is absolutely fresh and have that Pinkish/redish colour and does not smell burnt. During the radiator change process, some oil which was in Transmission cooling lines were spilt, but I refilled it, know it is slightly over filled but not much, may be 2mm above the normal HOT mark when the car is hot.

[Towncivilian]

Strange. I would try disconnecting the battery terminal for an hour or two then reconnecting it in order to have the transmission control module relearn your driving style and to acclimate to fresh fluid. The slight overfill should not cause a problem.

[humsafar77]

Infact I had already done this, not to tackle this problem, but there was an other issue when the air bag light came one after the alignment of steering, I disconnected the negative (ground) battery terminal and kept it there for some time and then connected it again, the light went off.


As I mentioned this transmission problem occurred only after I get the car washed, do you think there might be some sensor which got damaged some how during the washing process?

[CanuckQx4]

Id say it has more to do with you changing the transmissions fluid

I had the exact same problem in my qx4 and it ended up turning into a transmission that no longer shifted at first, and at its final point couldnt put any power to the ground

$2200 rebuild cost for me

[Towncivilian]

What transmission fluid did you use?

[humsafar77]

@Towncivilian I used AC Delco Dextron III Transmission oil and Original Transmission oil filter. the OIl Cost aprrox. US$2.76 a liter and the filter costed around US$27/-

[Towncivilian]

You replaced the O-ring for the new filter/strainer assembly during replacement, correct?

The fluid you picked should be adequate, as the service manual states Dexron III is a suitable replacement.

[humsafar77]

Well, I guess no one here knows how to resolve this problem.

[Towncivilian]

You can try measuring line pressure or having a shop do it. See AT-62. You can also try adding a bottle of Lubegard Red if it is available in your area; many transmission shops use it, and I've read no bad anecdotes about it. Often, it lowers operating temperatures and can mitigate some other issues depending on the transmission in question.

[humsafar77]

well the flare thing is still there and now another issue. whenever i switch the transmission back to 2wd from Auto or 4wd, i feel a big jerk in transmission and some time the switch simpli needs few tries to switch it back tom2wd

any ideas, is my transmission on verge of dying ?

p.s I do use 4x4 a lot since i drive the vehicle in desert

[humsafar77]

Guys waiting for your feedback on my above mentioned problem

[Empty V]

Replace your fuel filter and clean or replace your MAF. Also change out the x-fer case fluid and front + rear diffs.

[Alfredo24.pr]

well the flare thing is still there and now another issue. whenever i switch the transmission back to 2wd from Auto or 4wd, i feel a big jerk in transmission and some time the switch simpli needs few tries to switch it back tom2wd

any ideas, is my transmission on verge of dying ?

p.s I do use 4x4 a lot since i drive the vehicle in desert

maybe a shift kit will help? I am searching for transmission upgrade since I turbocharged my pathfinder and it slips at redline. Check this out.

http://transgoonline.com/products.php?c ... ent_id=134

From what I have researched the pathfinder's transmission is the RE4R01A

[yeldogt]

Was the transmission working correctly prior to the fluid change?? I don't think it is a water issue from washing the car.

Did they change the fluid in the auto transfer case? How many miles on the truck? Why did they remove the hose to the radiator?

Whenever you have a transmission issue it needs to be looked at ASAP -- as any slipping is very damaging to the clutch pack.


When I service mine -- I just do a simple fluid change from the pan drain and change out the transfer case and differentials -- I don't open up the transmission ... on any of my cars that have a drain. I also use the factory fluid Matic D -- requires 6 quarts for the trans and transfer case.


I have driven a few Pathfinders that had a harsh disengagement from 4x4 - but it should not stick.

[humsafar77]

Was the transmission working correctly prior to the fluid change?? I don't think it is a water issue from washing the car.

Yes, It was

Did they change the fluid in the auto transfer case? How many miles on the truck? Why did they remove the hose to the radiator?

The radiator was removed because it was damaged in a front end collision, basically a front TOP collision as I was on one side of the Dune in Desert and then a Range Rover came Flying from the other Side of Dune and Landed on my Bonnet (Hood) thinking of it a Landing Strip hehehehe

Whenever you have a transmission issue it needs to be looked at ASAP -- as any slipping is very damaging to the clutch pack.

have been Driving it like this for 2 months now, and you seem right, since earlier this Jerk (while Shifting Back to 2wd) was not there and this had developed just a week back, other than these two issue I don't feel any lacking in transmission performance

When I service mine -- I just do a simple fluid change from the pan drain and change out the transfer case and differentials -- I don't open up the transmission ... on any of my cars that have a drain. I also use the factory fluid Matic D -- requires 6 quarts for the trans and transfer case.

I bought this vehicle 3 months back and the earlier user Just changed the Oil and Oil Filter then, still I can see that the Oil colour s absolutely good and no burning smell

I have driven a few Pathfinders that had a harsh disengagement from 4x4 - but it should not stick.

I have driven my earlier Pathy (basic model) Auto Transmission with Stick (not the Knob) for 4x4 engaging / disengaging, for three years and there was no jerk at all.

[GregQX]

Sorry, but It sounds like your trans is on its way out. Sometimes putting fresh fluid in a trans that may have not been serviced at proper intervals is actually bad for it and can kill it.

I recently had issues when mine sat overnight. in the morning the trans would either slip, rev real high, or completely miss 2nd gear and shift directly to 3rd. I also had a failing torque converter which was staying locked up and causing it to stall. All of my problems cleared up once the truck was fully warmed up.

[Towncivilian]

I recently had issues when mine sat overnight. in the morning the trans would either slip, rev real high, or completely miss 2nd gear and shift directly to 3rd. I also had a failing torque converter which was staying locked up and causing it to stall. All of my problems cleared up once the truck was fully warmed up.

Depending on your R50's year, those issues might have a fix; see this TSB.

Regarding fresh fluid in a transmission, if the fluid was pitch black I would hesitate (because the trans is probably on its way out already)... but a fluid exchange in essentially any other condition (red, brown, smells fine, smells burnt) shouldn't kill a trans - otherwise it was going to die regardless.

[GregQX]

Shift flare is completely different from what I had. I previously had a 2001 QX4 which had the shift flare and it ended up being a solenoid pack. The 02 QX4 I have now , The torque converter was on its way out and took the trans with it. Eventually it totally lost 2nd, OD and Reverse (all driven by the sun gear)

There's a lot of thoughts on the fluid topic. Over time, clutches wear. If the fluid hasn't been changed in a long time, the clutch material now becomes part of the fluid, and keeps the clutches somewhat together. Fresh fluid now doesnt have the "grip" that the dirty fluid does and just helps the process along.

[Towncivilian]

Ah, ok then. That's unfortunate. Did you tow a lot with your QX4? How was the fluid condition? I assume you're not the original owner of it.

Yes, I've read of that "clutch wear material is the only thing allowing friction" theory. I suppose it's viable if things are worn enough. That's why I would hesitate if the fluid was pitch black - it likely contains a lot of clutch material, and also has oxidized significantly due to heat (which explains the color). But if your fluid is red or you catch it when it's just brown, then you're most likely fine if you change out the fluid.

[Buzzman]

There's a lot of thoughts on the fluid topic. Over time, clutches wear. If the fluid hasn't been changed in a long time, the clutch material now becomes part of the fluid, and keeps the clutches somewhat together. Fresh fluid now doesn't have the "grip" that the dirty fluid does and just helps the process along.

Don't have an answer for his problem, but have to comment on the whole fluid change thing.
Every vehicle I've ever owned where I did a trans fluid change/flush, the transmission failed within 6 months.
Every vehicle I've driven where I left it alone has never failed.
Not sure what that means, but I don't think I'll be replacing my transmission fluid on my ('02) Pathfinder (with 250,000 Kms.) anytime soon.
It still shifts perfectly, and the transfer case/4WD system still functions like new.
Cheers.

[Towncivilian]

There's a lot of thoughts on the fluid topic. Over time, clutches wear. If the fluid hasn't been changed in a long time, the clutch material now becomes part of the fluid, and keeps the clutches somewhat together. Fresh fluid now doesn't have the "grip" that the dirty fluid does and just helps the process along.

Don't have an answer for his problem, but have to comment on the whole fluid change thing.
Every vehicle I've ever owned where I did a trans fluid change/flush, the transmission failed within 6 months.
Every vehicle I've driven where I left it alone has never failed.
Not sure what that means, but I don't think I'll be replacing my transmission fluid on my ('02) Pathfinder (with 250,000 Kms.) anytime soon.
It still shifts perfectly, and the transfer case/4WD system still functions like new.
Cheers.

Were you using OEM fluid? Did you do a fluid change/flush because there were symptoms of failure, or just out of preventative maintenance? I think that if the trans exhibits signs of failure and one opts for a fluid change (not having any service done previously to the trans), that's essentially playing Russian roulette as to whether it'll die soon or not.