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James77
Novice
Dec 31, 2013, 4:28 PM
Post #1 of 12
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Transmission no good?
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Transmission shot?
Brief history on car/tranny:
Car is 2006 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE auto tranny with 255,000 on car. Tranny was replaced with a used tranny at 65,000 miles with a tranny 35,000 miles on it. Throughout this tranny’s life, it has occasionally slipped, where the engine revs up briefly (about 1-2 seconds in 2nd to 3rd). Last fluid change was 90k ago, though I did have a seal replaced maybe 45k ago so they may have changed it then. I don’t change regularly because it slips for a couple thousand miles afterwards.
Blah, blah, blah  ….here is today:
Today after getting off the highway, it was making a sound (like a pump would), kind of a whining/whirring sound mostly at low acceleration. It has done this maybe 4-5 times in the past, and it goes away within a couple hundred miles.
Today……within a mile or 2 of that sound starting, it was slipping out of gear badly to the point where I had to pull it into a parking lot. There it lost all ability to engage into gear or drive, the engine would only rev up. I did not check tranny fluid as I was freezing to death….I just called for a tow. I had checked tranny fluid this past weekend, it was fine...clear pink and no funky smell.
After sitting for 90 minutes waiting for a tow, I tried starting it and driving it in the lot. It immediately went into drive, no noise, and drove perfectly fine and shifted smoothly. I only did this for less than a minute as I don’t want to screw anything more than it has been.
Your Thoughts? Car is at a transmission shop. I hate not being knowledgeable about what may be going on with it and would rather be armed with some ideas on when I talk with them. If needed, I am leaning towards another used tranny to keep this car going, as everything else is in great shape and maintained well. But I don’t want to dump $1500 on that if it may be something simple.
Thank you!
Happy New Year and be safe :)
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James77
Novice
Dec 31, 2013, 4:57 PM
Post #3 of 12
(2283 views)
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Re: Transmission no good?
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Thank you for the reply.
The original died in the same fashion though I never was able to test it again after it cooled like I did this time. But there was zero attempt to repair it, they basically said (dealership) it needs a new tranny the second I towed it in. I have found since that dealership are totally dishonest, easiest example being they were going to have me replace engine mounts(because of shuddering) for $1,700 when it was an axle for $180 installed(I had even suggested axle as it has happened on my other cars, and has been fine for 50,000 miles since).I have no idea what failed on the 1st transmission.
The slipping has been happening for about 150,000 miles on this replacement tranny(rough estimate). It happens maybe 2 or 4 times a month, but was more frequent after fluid changes. I have not had it checked out since it has been so minor and so sporadic. It has not been any more frequent lately. Oh yeah....about 3 times in the last 3-4 months, it has hesitated while in reverse. Meaning while engaged in reverse, there will be significant "resistance". Waiting a minute or shutting off the car and restarting eliminated this.
Sorry...I know it is nearly impossible to diagnose this crap by description. I have a trusted mechanic, but he does not do trannys...so he sent me down the road and I have no idea what they are like. I'm just looking for possibilities ( so I can pretend I know what I am talking about :) ) rather than walk in there with wallet open.
(This post was edited by James77 on Dec 31, 2013, 4:57 PM)
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kev2
Veteran
Dec 31, 2013, 5:09 PM
Post #4 of 12
(2275 views)
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Re: Transmission no good?
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a 2006 with the issues you describe would likely have set a diagnostic code AND turned on the ck eng light, that would be a place to start, a simple scan then it gets 'mechinical' checking pressures etc. I feel there is some information missing
A question- the CK eng light work- comes on at EVERY start ?
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 31, 2013, 5:16 PM
Post #5 of 12
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Re: Transmission no good?
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Interesting that the original transmission has the same symptoms. A tear down and inspect of the old transmission should have been done to see what actually failed and why. Sounds like they just wanted to swap and shove it down the road on that one.
It is possible that something outside the transmission is the cause of whatever is going on inside it. Cause and effect. When someone tears down a transmission for inspection and finds burnt or smoked frictions, it doesn't mean just slap some frictions in and go. There is a reason why these things happen from line pressure not being properly controlled to contamination by a transmission cooler that wasn't flushed out before a replacement was installed to modifications and upgrades that were not addressed that correct common failing parts.
Your best bet is to find a transmission shop that specializes in Asian transmissions and let them have a look at it. Explain to them that the original transmission had the same symptoms before it let loose. It is important to nail down the cause once they figure out what has failed.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Dec 31, 2013, 5:18 PM)
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James77
Novice
Dec 31, 2013, 5:22 PM
Post #6 of 12
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Re: Transmission no good?
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Yeah, I think they even stated it on the phone. I am as dumb as a brick as far as transmissions go...so I just assume that such a complicated think would be shot. I do small repairs on my car like brakes and whatnot, but have always assumed auto trannys are non repairable.
I believe I mentioned the replacement tranny in the drop off letter...but I will call them first thing Thursday to talk with them on it being very similar. This is a transmission only mechanic, Portland Transmission in Providence RI, and they have been around for over 60 years. I'll see what they think. Thank you :)
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 31, 2013, 5:29 PM
Post #7 of 12
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Re: Transmission no good?
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What separates a technician from a swap monkey is that a good experienced technician always tries to figure out what caused a part or item to fail. If this means taking the failed component apart to see what failed, so be it. It is so important to test, test, and test. Test to see what failed, test to see why it failed, and test the system after the new part is installed.
Let us know what turns up on that.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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James77
Novice
Jan 2, 2014, 2:17 PM
Post #8 of 12
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Re: Transmission no good?
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Well. This shop took a look at it, tested it, checked diagnostic codes and all they could find is that is was low about 2/3 a quart. Other than that, they said it was running like a top for them and they tested it a few times.
He said the fluid being that low would not cause something like I described. IMO it cannot help it. He basically said to not take a long trip until it behaves as it is now for some time.
Edit:
quick little update....I have been driving this around(in the stupid snow no less) and it is running as smooth as ever. Immediate engagement when I put it in drive, and smooth shifting with no noises.
(This post was edited by James77 on Jan 2, 2014, 6:09 PM)
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James77
Novice
Jan 4, 2014, 7:41 PM
Post #10 of 12
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Re: Transmission no good?
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The transmission is working, however it seems to be slipping more than it used to. This is a slip between gears(usually 2 and 3) that cause the engine to rev up slightly. This is when under very light driving(meaning old lady gas pedal). If I drive with faster acceleration ( not flooring it) there is not a slipping issue and it shifts very well.
I'm going to touch base with the shop that looked at it on Monday to see their thoughts.
What does the total cost of a rebuild go for(removal and reinstall, plus rebuild kit and all labor) on a car like an 06 Nissan Altima? Doing a rebuild is basically an all but new start, correct? I need this car to last me about 75-100,000 more miles(3 years of my driving) and I am very uneasy about having a problem lingering over my head of a tranny problem when I am 200-300 miles away from home.
(This post was edited by James77 on Jan 4, 2014, 8:09 PM)
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James77
Novice
Jan 5, 2014, 7:11 PM
Post #12 of 12
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Re: Transmission no good?
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Not for nothing, but this transmission has done a similar thing for nearly the whole time I have had it...190,000 miles. It gets worse when I have had it flushed and serviced. It is also a pretty common problem on Altimas/Maximas like mine, in the 05-06 year.
But that matters not, as it did the same thing again tonight as it did last week, luckily I was able to get it home. Even when in park and the engine is rev'd up, it makes a strange whirring sound. I am going to tow it tomorrow and hopefully they get to hear/experience it for themselves. Total inability to go into gear....but I am sure it would if I went out and tried it right now. Weird piece of crap.
Again, I would like to ask.....what is the ballpark for rebuilding a tranny like mine? I understand that it could involve more or less depending on what is actually screwed in there...it may not even be practically rebuilt for all I know. I am just wanting to know what would a fair price be for say a complete clutch and seal kit? I hate not knowing what is fair price when I am unfamiliar with something...as I either look like a jackass for saying it should be cheaper or a sap for accepting whatever they say.
(This post was edited by James77 on Jan 5, 2014, 7:21 PM)
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