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nissan transmission

2K views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  smj999smj 
#1 ·
I have a 2000 frontier when the truck is cold the transmission shifts and works perfect but within roughly 8-10 miles it starts slipping and will get worse the farther you go. After it cools down it will work perfect again someone told me it might be the cooler but not sure cause there is no coolant in fluid and no fluid in coolant any ideas ?
 
#2 ·
Assuming AT, right? If so,, check the correct AT fluid level. Drive for about 10 mile's or so, at moderate speed, stop, leave motor running, move the shifter through all the gear's,, and back to park, with motor running check the AT fluid level useing the Hot Range. If the Fluid is low,, then it might be slipping because not enough AT Fluid.

Did the dipstick have a burnt smell, or look cloudy or dirty? If so it may be time to get it checked out by a professional. Might be time for a Rebuild or New Transmission.

How many mile's on the Truck?

Hope you have good luck.
 
#3 ·
You don't see leaking coolers on 2000 Frontiers; that was an issue with 2005-2010 models. Obviously, check the fluid leve and condition as already suggested. I worked on an older Pathfinder that did the same thing years ago. The high clutch was bad and contaminated the trans fluid with fine particles of clutch lining. At start-up and for the first 10 minutes was fine, then it started slipping and then wouldn't move at all until it sat for 20-30 minutes. What was happening is when the vehicle sat, the clutch debris sank to the bottom of the pan. When you started it up and started driving, the pump pulls the fluid through the strainer at the bottom of the valve body until clutch debris clogs the screen, causing the line pressure to drop and the trans can no longer operate. Shut it off for a while and the debris falls of the screen back into the pan. This can be tested using an oil pressure gauge at the line pressure port on the transmission. If this is what's happening, the transmission will need to be replaced or overhauled.
 
#4 ·
Frontier trans

Thanks for all the info I replaced the trans fluid, filter and bypassed the trans cooler today. So far its working like it should I drove it about 30-40 miles ( could usually only go about 8) without any slipping.I will probably get an external cooler and install it. I'm sure I will be replacing the trans in the near future the truck has 274k so it is probably time, but so far that was a fix. Thanks again for all your help
 
#5 ·
I really don't think you needed to bypass the cooler; like I said, it wasn't any issue on pre-2005 Nissan trucks. Keep in mind that the radiator cooler not only cools the ATF, but it also warms the fluid, keeping it in the proper operating range of 175-200 degrees F. One of the reason they do bypass on the 05-10 models is that they come with a factory external cooler. I would not recommend bypassing and operating the vehicle with no cooler at all installed.
 
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