transmission failure: Repair or buy another car?

[94q45t]

My 94 Q45 has 180K miles, but over the years I've replaced leather, hoses, gaskets, steering parts, Tokico blues, 17" wheels from last (real) Q series and so forth. Now the transmission is beginning to fail. My tech pulled the pan which had metal bits, but the fluid remains good and clear. He feels the repair could be $2-3K. Normally, I would repair it as the engine is still strong and the appearance good. However, I'm getting some electronic gremlins, too.

The TCS/ABS lights are on, 4 different shops have failed to diagnose why. The brake wear light is on even though the brakes are new. Seat/wheel memory is gone (BCM, I guess), and I'm 65 and losing the nimbleness to crawl over it and do the work myself. As you all know, many parts are no longer available from Infiniti, so available parts either are reasonable, expensive, or used and quality unknown. I've consulted the famous T3 here, but with time, they are losing their skills on this model as well as their parts inventory.

The tech gives me a month before predicted catastrophic failure (it's still my daily driver). I'd enjoy an opinionated discussion of the options as well as anyone offering a known good transmission at a decent price.

Thanks, y'all.

[3Q Jay]

I have not heard of the RE4R03A shedding metal in the absence of other problems like overheat, but I suppose it's possible.
metal 'iron' filings on the magnets is normal--were these actual chunks?
other trans driveability issues?
got nothing on your BCM. they are a b**** to diagnose.
TCS lights---you already replaced the two blue relays under the battery tray?
Brake pads worn light--just disconnect the sensors if you like. are you certain that the sensors were replaced (they need to be) when the pads were changed?

[Rixmax1992]

Beside the shrapnel is the transmission slipping? I bought a JDM transmission back in 05 in its still going strong and was only $600 bucks. I put a B&M trans cooler on at the same time to insure longevity.

[94q45t]

Yeah, the trans works fine when cold. When up to operating temp, the 1-2 shift is a real bump, then the engine freewheels to about 2500rpm, then it will shift to third if I'm going fast enough. If I let off the gas in second, the engine will drop to idel then bump from idle to 1200 and back. Very occasionally, it's reluctant to shift into reverse from a stand still. The blue relays have been replaced as have TPS 1&2. I've had it at two dealers and two independents, none of which have been able to diagnose the codes. The trans was rebuilt in 10/2013, 14,000 miles ago. It's out of warranty, but I took it back (they do the dealer'e work inder contract, have been here 30 years). They thought the symptoms were electronic, based on the symptoms, but then pulled the pan which was full of metal filings.

[GoadQ45T95]

For the slip/tcs lights, I'd recommend taking a look at the alternator. Common issue when the alt is on its way out. I've replaced it least 5 times because I run an audio system in mine.
If the alt isn't functioning correctly, it can turn all kinds of lights on and be a real pain to accurately diagnose.

If the alt checks out, I'd take a look at the abs sensors. I'm having that issue with mine when I go over railroad tracks.... hit a bump severe enough and those lights are almost guaranteed to show themselves.

[elwesso]

The electronics on the Q trans have proved to be pretty reliable over the years, so I suppose it's possible but unlikely IMO.

For whatever reason it doesn't seem like rebuilds work out very well on the Q trans, not sure what makes them complicated but historically only a few places seem to be able to rebuild them right.

Seems silly, but with the seat memory have you tried unplugging the battery for a while and plugging it back in? I know on my Q I would periodically have those issues and usually were remedied by unplugging the battery...

Seems like JDM trans were a good idea a long time ago (circa 2003) but I don't think AT's fare well with long storage times especially if the fluid wasn't fully drained.

Certainly hard to drop 2-3k in a car that's barely worth that, especially knowing that parts are getting very expensive and NLA.

[J30tChumpCar]

I know this is contrary to opinion of elwesso, no disrespect meant, just sharing our experiences

A good rebuilder can do a trans to last.
1.5 yrs ago I had a properly working used unit refreshed with a shift improve-r kit and dropped it into a track car, it has been flawless for over 6000 full race miles, red fluid and all. Prior to this unit we were getting anywhere from 1000-6000 race miles from this units smaller cousin (attached to a V6)
Saying that, if it were my decision
Check a place called car_part.com for a reasonably priced used unit.

On another note
elwesso, can you please contact me, time to turn up that ECU to #3, I have tried a couple times and failed (old email?) Check your mail for old conversations from edsworld
Thanks

[94q45t]

I really appreciate all the help. I ran across a (gasp) 1993 Lexus SC400 with 35K one owner miles, all documented, which cost only a little more than a transmission repair. So now, what to do with the Q. It has new Pirellis, a new audio system, new leather on the seats, and other than the above issues, runs like a scalded dog. With me approaching 70 and Q45 expertise fading away, I could take J30T's advice, put a used part in and give it to my son (a much younger, mechanically gifted adult); put the audio and 17" wheels & tires on the Lexus (I have the original Q wheels and tires), and try to gt a grand as is, or just donate it to a charity. Any thoughts on that? Thanks!

[J30tChumpCar]

SC400 is a stellar car!
Your call, the wheels should swap between cars with no drama, unfortunately the last clean q45 I bought with a injector misfire and bad trans only cost me $250 so beware, the market may or may not support your asking price. Donating will at least get you a write off.
If you lived in S Fl I would make a offer but I would be using it to support our racing effort rather then repair.

[elwesso]

I know this is contrary to opinion of elwesso, no disrespect meant, just sharing our experiences

A good rebuilder can do a trans to last.
1.5 yrs ago I had a properly working used unit refreshed with a shift improve-r kit and dropped it into a track car, it has been flawless for over 6000 full race miles, red fluid and all. Prior to this unit we were getting anywhere from 1000-6000 race miles from this units smaller cousin (attached to a V6)
Saying that, if it were my decision
Check a place called car_part.com for a reasonably priced used unit.

On another note
elwesso, can you please contact me, time to turn up that ECU to #3, I have tried a couple times and failed (old email?) Check your mail for old conversations from edsworld
Thanks

Great experience there! I defintely agree that a good rebuilder can make the trans last (as Level Ten and Import Performance Transmission, both out of NJ, have demonstrated), it just seems like most "local" rebuilds don't go well for whatever reason.. I don't have any experience with it first hand (because when my AT went out I put in a manual trans... ), however I know more than a handful of people that had local rebuilds in various parts of the US that didn't last more than a year.

BTW- I did find an old email, I just sent you one..

[OwnerCS]

Wes - Your old automatic transmission that Level 10 rebuilt many years ago is still working like a champ. It has well over 40,000 miles on it now. As Pat recommended, I've been using Matic-S from the start. It just now feels like its through its break in period.