My Tranny Was Acting a Bit Wierd Tonight...
^hey dude.
I drove the car around this morning and it didnt do it, it feels really slow but thats because i think its really loaded down, and at altitude haha.
But if i can find a dealer tonight in reno, i might stop and let them know about it, but as of now, im not gonna worry about it. I think it may ahve just gotten hot after all the driving.
If i doesnt do it the rest of the trip, i'll still consult my dealer when i get home as well.
But as of that, im not gonna worry. I'll see you all this afternoon when i get to reno.
Seeya.
I drove the car around this morning and it didnt do it, it feels really slow but thats because i think its really loaded down, and at altitude haha.
But if i can find a dealer tonight in reno, i might stop and let them know about it, but as of now, im not gonna worry about it. I think it may ahve just gotten hot after all the driving.
If i doesnt do it the rest of the trip, i'll still consult my dealer when i get home as well.
But as of that, im not gonna worry. I'll see you all this afternoon when i get to reno.
Seeya.
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From: LB NY, Currently Socorro, NM. HELP ME!!!
your gonna loose some serious power at altitude, it sucks. for me getting back to sea level was like a christmas present- in may 
as for the transmission, i would say see if it does it again when hot, if your anything like me my car was packed and well loaded, so its tugging alot of weight. it may also be trying to get used to the new powerband of your engine, i know that mine is in manual mode alot of the time, but when i got back to NY if i did WOT in drive it wouldnt expect it to accelerate so fast and smacked the rev limiter LOL
(no way to look dumber than trying to take off from a light and the damn thing hitting the limiter.... lol)
either way, good luck!
as for the transmission, i would say see if it does it again when hot, if your anything like me my car was packed and well loaded, so its tugging alot of weight. it may also be trying to get used to the new powerband of your engine, i know that mine is in manual mode alot of the time, but when i got back to NY if i did WOT in drive it wouldnt expect it to accelerate so fast and smacked the rev limiter LOL
(no way to look dumber than trying to take off from a light and the damn thing hitting the limiter.... lol)
either way, good luck!
It sounds to me like your TCM simply flaked out momentarily. It's quiet possible your car has the tranny shudder issue. You said the issue happened while accelerating on to the freeway at WOT. Had the car been parked (1 hour+) prior to getting back on the freeway? It's possible the tranny fluid was too cool and the ECU/TCM was trying to limit torque on the shift since the tranny temps were low. Or maybe the tranny temps were high (short stop for fuel, lots of grades get the fluid warm) and the ECU/TCM sensed elevated high tranny fluid temps and was dialing back torque on the shift.
As you've pointed out, you're at over 4,500' above sea level and if it's warm out, the density altitude is most likely well over 5,000+'. Are you still running an aftermarket intake? It's possible the change in elevation teamed with the higher flow intake is causing some air/fuel issues and the ECU is learning. Things I'd check would be:
1) Verify all intake fittings are secure. Very mild vacuum leaks can cause odd driveability issues, especially under WOT situations where the motor is torquing in the mounts and creating a leak.
2) Check the tranny fluid color and verify that it's still a deep red and doesn't look grungy or smell burned.
3) Verify that the tranny fluid is at the correct level. You need to check the level EXACTLY the way Nissan descirbes. Let the fluid cool, drive for about 10 minutes, stop, cycle through the gears, place in park, remove dipstick, clean off, reverse the dipstick orientation, replace, remove and check level.
I really don't see the point in going to the dealer until the problem is easily repeatable or if your tranny fluid is showing indications of excessive heat, low levels, etc.
As you've pointed out, you're at over 4,500' above sea level and if it's warm out, the density altitude is most likely well over 5,000+'. Are you still running an aftermarket intake? It's possible the change in elevation teamed with the higher flow intake is causing some air/fuel issues and the ECU is learning. Things I'd check would be:
1) Verify all intake fittings are secure. Very mild vacuum leaks can cause odd driveability issues, especially under WOT situations where the motor is torquing in the mounts and creating a leak.
2) Check the tranny fluid color and verify that it's still a deep red and doesn't look grungy or smell burned.
3) Verify that the tranny fluid is at the correct level. You need to check the level EXACTLY the way Nissan descirbes. Let the fluid cool, drive for about 10 minutes, stop, cycle through the gears, place in park, remove dipstick, clean off, reverse the dipstick orientation, replace, remove and check level.
I really don't see the point in going to the dealer until the problem is easily repeatable or if your tranny fluid is showing indications of excessive heat, low levels, etc.
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 216
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From: Mountains
I'm about 2 hours north of you right now. I'm sitting at about 4600ft. I've had the car for less than a month and i never thought about the high altitude thing. Now i want to drive to the closest sea level elevation and go nuts.
It sounds to me like your TCM simply flaked out momentarily. It's quiet possible your car has the tranny shudder issue. You said the issue happened while accelerating on to the freeway at WOT. Had the car been parked (1 hour+) prior to getting back on the freeway? It's possible the tranny fluid was too cool and the ECU/TCM was trying to limit torque on the shift since the tranny temps were low. Or maybe the tranny temps were high (short stop for fuel, lots of grades get the fluid warm) and the ECU/TCM sensed elevated high tranny fluid temps and was dialing back torque on the shift.
As you've pointed out, you're at over 4,500' above sea level and if it's warm out, the density altitude is most likely well over 5,000+'. Are you still running an aftermarket intake? It's possible the change in elevation teamed with the higher flow intake is causing some air/fuel issues and the ECU is learning. Things I'd check would be:
1) Verify all intake fittings are secure. Very mild vacuum leaks can cause odd driveability issues, especially under WOT situations where the motor is torquing in the mounts and creating a leak.
2) Check the tranny fluid color and verify that it's still a deep red and doesn't look grungy or smell burned.
3) Verify that the tranny fluid is at the correct level. You need to check the level EXACTLY the way Nissan descirbes. Let the fluid cool, drive for about 10 minutes, stop, cycle through the gears, place in park, remove dipstick, clean off, reverse the dipstick orientation, replace, remove and check level.
I really don't see the point in going to the dealer until the problem is easily repeatable or if your tranny fluid is showing indications of excessive heat, low levels, etc.
As you've pointed out, you're at over 4,500' above sea level and if it's warm out, the density altitude is most likely well over 5,000+'. Are you still running an aftermarket intake? It's possible the change in elevation teamed with the higher flow intake is causing some air/fuel issues and the ECU is learning. Things I'd check would be:
1) Verify all intake fittings are secure. Very mild vacuum leaks can cause odd driveability issues, especially under WOT situations where the motor is torquing in the mounts and creating a leak.
2) Check the tranny fluid color and verify that it's still a deep red and doesn't look grungy or smell burned.
3) Verify that the tranny fluid is at the correct level. You need to check the level EXACTLY the way Nissan descirbes. Let the fluid cool, drive for about 10 minutes, stop, cycle through the gears, place in park, remove dipstick, clean off, reverse the dipstick orientation, replace, remove and check level.
I really don't see the point in going to the dealer until the problem is easily repeatable or if your tranny fluid is showing indications of excessive heat, low levels, etc.
Today, it was doing it again. Im going to run it to the Nissan dealer tomorrow and have them just check it.
Rick@Riverside said it is probably the valve body, which i guess is a known issue?
I am going to assume, whatever it is, can be fixed under warranty because the car shouldnt be doing this. I drove it again tonight (when it was around 70 degrees) and the car was not so hot, and it still had that wierd delay before it shifted.
I have no idea, Dave.
Today, it was doing it again. Im going to run it to the Nissan dealer tomorrow and have them just check it.
Rick@Riverside said it is probably the valve body, which i guess is a known issue?
I am going to assume, whatever it is, can be fixed under warranty because the car shouldnt be doing this. I drove it again tonight (when it was around 70 degrees) and the car was not so hot, and it still had that wierd delay before it shifted.
Today, it was doing it again. Im going to run it to the Nissan dealer tomorrow and have them just check it.
Rick@Riverside said it is probably the valve body, which i guess is a known issue?
I am going to assume, whatever it is, can be fixed under warranty because the car shouldnt be doing this. I drove it again tonight (when it was around 70 degrees) and the car was not so hot, and it still had that wierd delay before it shifted.
Most likely the valvebody. Should be an easy fix assuming they can get a VB quickly. I'd think they'd stock a couple.
You know whats wierd, i am in Cali now, and it isnt doing it anymore.
When i get to socal, im gonna have it checked out while they do my oil, but idk. This is really wierd. Drives better than ever now.
When i get to socal, im gonna have it checked out while they do my oil, but idk. This is really wierd. Drives better than ever now.
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: By the sea, Tx
G35 sedan w/ too much money in mods
You picked up the Cali karma!!
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 75
Likes: 2
From: So. CaLi
Take yours in now! (Long story short) I hade mine serviced at Tustin Infiniti,a week later it's shifting slow and sluggish to engages, take the car back to Tustin tell them it seems to be low on tranny fluid or something-since it's an '03 no dipstick so I want them to show me how they check it. The service writer takes it to the service area then the asst. service manager goes over, then the service Mgr. goes over, then the tech that serviced the car goes over, then I go over-F-the insurance sign. The service tech tell me "well the good news is the fluid is at the right level, the bad news is the fluid is burnt and has metal fragment in it"? My response, WTF! you guy did not see this last week when you serviced it, the service techs reply " don't worry, we are going to replace the trans free of charge.
Cool, bill Infiniti of Tustin $6K since the car has 60K mi. and is out of warr.
I now have a dipstick as all replacement '03 autos come with. I did go and witness Tustin stabbing in the remanufactred tranny. my guess is the service was not done correctly, or even at all !
119K mi. now switched to Amsoil sythetic once the 12 mo. tranny warr. was up, Runs better than ever
The only thing that saved me was the fact Tustin had just worked on the car. Take yours in now !!!! and keep all of your documentation.
Cool, bill Infiniti of Tustin $6K since the car has 60K mi. and is out of warr.
I now have a dipstick as all replacement '03 autos come with. I did go and witness Tustin stabbing in the remanufactred tranny. my guess is the service was not done correctly, or even at all !
119K mi. now switched to Amsoil sythetic once the 12 mo. tranny warr. was up, Runs better than ever
The only thing that saved me was the fact Tustin had just worked on the car. Take yours in now !!!! and keep all of your documentation.
Last edited by Awilli; Jul 8, 2009 at 03:41 AM.