transmission doesn't want to shift qhwn car is cold - 1990 Q45

[DrewQ45]

Times like this make me happy I got a Jap takeout, even if it did take two attempts to get it right.

It's got to be disheartening to spend big $$$ on a Level 10 unit and have to deal with a transmission issue whether it's related to the rebuild or not. I agree with Jesda. While there may be an optimal operating temperature, the unit should still shift until it's reached. One shouldn't drive aggressively or jump on the highway with a cold transmission but the transmission should shift under gentle (or even aggressive) driving until the temp is reached. The same goes for the engine.

The transmission drain plug should not be leaking. Maybe they didn't bother to change the copper crush washer or tighten it enough? Try tightening it a smidgen, or if you have the time, take it back. Seems to me you should be taking it back and having them do what you asked for in the first place.

...Drew...

[JohnPa]

So is it the 2-3 shift thats starting to get iffy? how and when is it making noise?

Not to muddy the water, but my 90 Q45t transmission with about 63,000 miles (replaced by dealer at about 33,000 miles) takes a second or longer to shift from 2nd to 3rd when cold. Takes longer the colder it is. Seems fine when warmed up, but it is worrying me enough to think about a replacement. The fluid was flushed about 4,500 miles ago and the pan cleaned and filter replaced. There was nothing in the old filters and no signs of debris in the pan (did the filter/pan clean myself). I am running Royal Purple synthetic.

Could the shift valves be sticking? What about pulling the pan, removing the shifting bodies and cleaning/replacing same?

Thanks for any feedback..................John

[maxnix]

While there may be an optimal operating temperature, the unit should still shift until it's reached. One shouldn't drive aggressively or jump on the highway with a cold transmission but the transmission should shift under gentle (or even aggressive) driving until the temp is reached.

Let's have a realtiy vs. expectations check here:

Why do you think Nissan implemented an ATF heat exchanger?

Hint: The answer is in one of Q45tech's posts, and the question itself.

[elwesso]

the reality is that drew is correct, and thats the end of the story.

[Q45tech]

I wouldn't think I'm easy on a transmission, my second one [new in 1994] is still functioning in a customers car with [ 185,000 of my miles and now 3 years later in his car with another 41,000 miles that's 226,000 miles in total.

My current used reman has 70,000 of my miles and had 32,000 miles when removed from the wrecked donor car in 2002. 102k currently. Over the last year the Q was subjected to serious 7 day per week stop and go traffic and over 33,000 miles only half of which was highway.

Synthetics, flushes, trimode [locked in 1st gear high pressure mode] and of course a nice big external only [no looping thru rad unit] heat exchanger cleaned at least twice per year along with rad fins compressed air and manual leaf trash removal. Currently with conventional ATF and Lubeguard Red since I forgot to buy synthetic and had time to do a flush last fall.

Time to drop pan and change filter and renew with synthetic as summer is coming.

Unfair to blame Level 10 until we see 4-5 with 150-200k to compare.

[JedCoop]

Not to muddy the water, but my 90 Q45t transmission with about 63,000 miles (replaced by dealer at about 33,000 miles) takes a second or longer to shift from 2nd to 3rd when cold. Takes longer the colder it is. ...

My '92 Q has been doing that for 50K miles while being driven on mountain roads.... its now over 192K. Hasn't really gotten worse or better. I haven't done a professional flush, but have dropped the pan and changed the fluid with Mobile 1 synthetic three times over those same 50K miles.