Qx4 Transmission Shift Issues

[firemed55]

Hello, I have a 2001 Qx4. When I start going, there is a delay between 2nd and 3rd gear when shifting. The rpm's go up and then it shifts. Infiniti service has told me this is "normal" when it is cold. True it is worse when it is cold but I never driven a car that did this. Also, it does it when it's not cold as well. I have read that it might be the transmission control module.... Any suggestions? Please advise. Sick of payin Infiniti money to do nothing. Thanks

Andy

[bmlawless]

There is a technical service bulletin number ITB01-051a that deals with this specific issue. It goes through the exact steps a mechanic should go through to diagnose and repair the problem.

In general, it looks like the solution is to replace the transmission control module and possible the solenoid control valve assembly. Keep in mind that a TSB is not a warranty or recall item. It is a notice to mechanics of a common problem. You will likely pay for any repairs.

[02QX4ME]

......I never driven a car that did this......

Andy

I drive a car similar to this, my 00 RX300. When engine just starts, transmission will not even shift into overdrive (4th gear), and it take much higher RPM to shift into 2nd and 3rd gear for the first few minutes. When temperature needle reaches a quarter scale from the bottom, it will shift into overdrive.

It is designed to do that to warm up transmission faster, stated in the owner's manual.

I don't notice anything like that with my QX4.

[bmlawless]

You learn something new everyday. Although I do not have what appears to be the "transmission flare" problem that firemed55 is referring to, I did check my owner's manual and my vehicle is designed not to shift into overdrive until the engine warms up.

[SnowSurfLax]

How funny... I was just noticing that this morning on the highway and was thinking of why the hell my QX was doing that...

It's like you guys are psychic! haha

[firemed55]

So from the rest of the posters, this is supposed to be a normal thing? I had a 1998 Pathfinder with a similar engine and it never did this. I can understand that this may be normal till the engine warms but when it does shift finally, it shifts very hard. I don't know. I am not sure I am convicned this is normal for this truck. If that were the case they needed to sell it for about 25000 less money. Thanks for the postings. Learning many useful things..like, post something here before going to the dealer!!

[bmlawless]

One additional note, mine shifts pretty hard from 1st to second when cold. 2nd to third is what I would call normal compared to my other vehicles.

From what can gather, these vehicles seem to often have shifting patterns that don't match the rest of the world, but the transmissions rarely die.