Y33 Jerks when lifting off the gas

[rover3l]

My 67000 mile 2000 Y33 is not the smoothest in the transmission department. In the winter when cold the 1-2 shift is quite severe. However, even in the summer I notice that when I lift off the gas the tranmission sometimes reacts with a little jolt. Is this possibly a sign of wear or do Y33's exhibit this behavior as a characteristic?

[BlueC]

My 67000 mile 2000 Y33 is not the smoothest in the transmission department. In the winter when cold the 1-2 shift is quite severe. However, even in the summer I notice that when I lift off the gas the tranmission sometimes reacts with a little jolt. Is this possibly a sign of wear or do Y33's exhibit this behavior as a characteristic?

My 2000 AE does the same exact thing. I've heard flushing out the transmission fluid for Redline synthetic ATF makes a huge difference with that issue, thats next on my list of things to try.

[maxnix]

So how about some maintenance history? ATF cooler? Fluid condition?

[paranoidjack]

My 2000 AE does the same exact thing. I've heard flushing out the transmission fluid for Redline synthetic ATF makes a huge difference with that issue, thats next on my list of things to try.

Same here. I've changed to synthetic ATF. I've had transmission flushed. I've done it all. Feels the same old same old.

Drives me crazy because the transmission on the 5.9 brute durango shifts like BUTTER compared to my 50k luxury vehicle.

[Skibane]

Until the engine warms up, mine occasionally does the "little jolt" thing - more so when I ease up some on the throttle, rather than when lifting entirely off it.

I don't think it's a transmission issue - feels more like a momentary engine stumble.
Modified by Skibane at 10:10 PM 9/17/2006

[BlueC]

I'm going to assume its the transmission, considering on how there's not one shift point that makes me happy. 1->2 shift is too hard, 2->3 shift takes hours, 3->4 shift.... well thats another story.

Nissan didn't put much money into the transmission when they built the Q45. They focused more on the engine it seems.

[FarFetched]

I could only wish that all vehicles had AsianWarner (in particular AW4). I've delt with them in Jeeps, Toyotas, they are as reliable as they come with proper maintenance of course!Cheers!

[laszlo]

jerky huh? on a 2000+ model? whoo scarry scarry.

[maxnix]

My 67000 mile 2000 Y33 is not the smoothest in the transmission department. In the winter when cold the 1-2 shift is quite severe. However, even in the summer I notice that when I lift off the gas the tranmission sometimes reacts with a little jolt.

Why one should always warm to operating temperature before....well....operating.

Perhaps you are experiencing torque converter lock-up.

Only lack of smoothness in mine (M1) is at light partial throttle when it is slow to up shift. AT WOT, it is crisp. Think it may relate to the 2nd gear solenoid speed issues discussed by GQ Jay in his thread in IOM.

[sijoko]

You need to make sure that the TPS is adjusted properly. It has a tremendous effect on shift quality.

[maxnix]

You need to make sure that the TPS is adjusted properly. It has a tremendous effect on shift quality.

True, and this is paint sealed so you can tell if anyone has been messing with it.

[rover3l]

Maintenance history is up to date with all work carried out by Infiniti dealer. I am second owner and service records show that at 40,000 miles previous owner complained of occasional jerky transmission. Service documents state that fault could not be reproduced but they did change the transmission fluid at these miles.

ATF cooler is OEM and yes I know it would make sense to upgrade it.

ATF fluid level is normal and has good color and no strange smell.

Hope I didn't give the impression that my Q is a bucking bronco, it is just an occasional unexpected effect when I lift of the throttle say when I am slowing for a turn. Instead of the Q slowing down progressively it first reacts somewhat suddenly.

The best way I can describe it is the effect you get with a British Classic which has a SU carb set up. If the dashpot oil is not kept full then when you back of the throttle the piston in the carb drops suddenly and produces a similar effect of an abrupt slow down. If you look at my sig you will realize that I have first hand experience with this!!!!

[maxnix]

Maintenance history is up to date with all work carried out by Infiniti dealer.

ATF fluid level is normal and has good color and no strange smell.

I lift of the throttle say when I am slowing for a turn. Instead of the Q slowing down progressively it first reacts somewhat suddenly.

Well without a confirmed mechanical fluid exchange we would have to rely on the white paper towel test knowing allthe while the ATF is functionally expired.

Any of the Q45 engines should not be lugged around in town below 2500 RPM so I will always shift down to 3 before I power through any corner under 60-70 MPH.

[96Qowner]

lHope I didn't give the impression that my Q is a bucking bronco, it is just an occasional unexpected effect when I lift of the throttle say when I am slowing for a turn. Instead of the Q slowing down progressively it first reacts somewhat suddenly.

The best way I can describe it is the effect you get with a British Classic which has a SU carb set up. If the dashpot oil is not kept full then when you back of the throttle the piston in the carb drops suddenly and produces a similar effect of an abrupt slow down. If you look at my sig you will realize that I have first hand experience with this!!!!

This isn't unheard of. Paranoidjack asked about it back in March. Here's that thread with some links to older threads:

zerothread?id=172279

[maxnix]

This isn't unheard of. Paranoidjack asked about it back in March.

Interesting that these are from newer members with cars in various stages of as new OEM restoration, but none of the old time FY33 members who have completed the resotoration report this behavior.

Verrry interesting.

[96Qowner]

Interesting that these are from newer members with cars in various stages of as new OEM restoration, but none of the old time FY33 members who have completed the resotoration report this behavior.

Might be worth following that train of thought. If this symptom is due to a degraded resistor value and/or gummy solenoid action, what lack of maintenance could cause that? I also wonder about general ATF type and the frequency of flushes. It seems to be due to a lazy solenoid (or a degraded resisor triggering it), but I suppose it could also be inside the transmission - ie, the transmission doesn't react to the solenoid as crisply as it needs to.

So, maybe adding some Lubeguard might solve it. A flush and upgraded fluid is certainly worth trying, as BlueC suggested.

[BadQ45t]

Odd my 97 shifts smooth as butter.

[Falkdesigns]

Yeah, I didn't bother to reply because my car shifts like butter as well. ONLY time you feel shifts is the 1-2 shift for about the first 4 minutes driving the car from cold in the morning and that's honestly it. The rest of the time it feels like a bullet train; linear, smooth power with no bumps or sense of feeling on any shift, up OR down.

[paranoidjack]

Interesting that these are from newer members with cars in various stages of as new OEM restoration, but none of the old time FY33 members who have completed the resotoration report this behavior.

Verrry interesting.

Update....my car no longer does this. I have only flushed the transmission fluid (all vehicle fluids) twice since then (30k ago already), but this is no longer a problem at all. It disappeared.

Also, the y33 burp in idle is also gone after essentially only fluid changes. I did change a few o2 sensors that were throwing codes, other than that, only fluid.

However, both problems have disappeared.