Torque Converter Twitch?

[MinnyQ]

The '95 Q is now at 270k ... with the original transmission. I owe Dennis a huge thanks for tipping me early -- at 57K when I bought it in Jan. '99 -- to regular flushes. The other day, the morning after a three hour drive through steady rain, I could feel -- not hear -- a shudder/twitch coming through the transmission. It kicked in around 55 mph. The tach would bob ever so slightly.

I took it to the dealership, which ran $200 of tests and concluded the torque converter was toast. New transmission? $10k. In other words, say goodbye to the cabernet road warrior. ****.

But because they had also declared the transmission toast 28k miles earlier when it was something that had nothing to do with the transmission, I went for a second opinion. Small-ish transmission shop. As I drove over, on a nice warm dry day, I noticed the twitch was gone.

The small shop kept it a day, ran a couple tests, drove it, charged me ... nothing ... and said they couldn't find anything wrong with it.

And nothing was. It ran fine up to Duluth and back, just like old times.

Until it rained again yesterday. And the shudder/twitch came back.

At 270k I'm thinking this thing can't last forever. But what are the chances something down there is being effected by wetness?

Anything? Anyone? Beuler?

[Q451990]

First of all 10 grand for a transmission???? That's American Dollars? Your price from Infiniti of Scottsdale is about $3300 for the part. Labor should be about 8 hours book time. So even at MSRP parts price, of $3742 they're charging you about $780/hour to install it! Even if you're getting a new radiator - that's still an amazing quote.

I would think your twitch is more related to the temperature than dampness. Was it substantially cooler on the rainy days?

The only other suggestion I have is to check the electrical connections on the bottom of the transmission. It's possible that the mositure is causing something to act up if there's corrosion or moisture getting in there. It might be worth unplugging each one to check, and then putting some dielectric grease on the contacts before you plug them back in.

Have you tried running the self diagnostic on it on a rainy day? Check your FSM for the instructions... you can do it all from the comfort of your driver's seat using the dual trip meter display.

In any case 270K is excellent for any transmission. If it cratered tomorrow, you got more than your money's worth. That said I would love to see a 300K transmission still going strong!

Good luck!

Heath

[Jesda]

Wow, 270k. Its a JATCO miracle! (Okay, not a miracle, especially with proper maintenance.)

I couldnt tell you what it is, but this sounds nothing at all like a failing TC.

[Q45tech]

With a Consult set on Transmission Signals easy to correlate TC lock up solenoid signals and rpm [engine input vs rec sensor rpm [tc output]].

Try a can of LubeGuard RED ATF additive!!!

[Haitian_King]

Jesda,

If you wouldn't mind, could you tell me what the symptoms of a failing Q transmission are?

I'm a hypochondriac. I'm vacillating between replacing the whole shebang, or just getting it fixed. I've been calling Van Meter, but he won't call me back.

[elwesso]

are you sure its not just bucking a little? Are you sure its transmission related? Could be a dirty intake/bad knock sensors or maybe a possible MAF problem starting to creep to the surface.

Normally trans issues are a lot more obvious if they are indeed "issues"

[Haitian_King]

I don't think it's a KS. Those usually don't go until 100K right?

I'm fairly certain it's the trans, as I've had engine work done recently and everything is in order.