96 Maxima shifts hard from 1st to 2nd?

mikejj · Oct 28th, 2009, 04:33 PM

My 96 Maxima shifts hard going from 1st to second. The other gears shift OK. Any suggestions?

**JNCoRacer** · Oct 28th, 2009, 05:29 PM

Depending on your mileage it could be fluid related or it could be the valve body.

Another possibility is that it could be the drop resistor.

travis3113 · Oct 29th, 2009, 01:24 PM

I seem to have a similar problem. I'm thinking it's the synchros going because it feels like it resists going into the gear.

**JNCoRacer** · Oct 29th, 2009, 01:56 PM

Travis3113, I'm assuming you have a manual transmission?

mikejj · Oct 30th, 2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JNCoRacer

Travis3113, I'm assuming you have a manual transmission?

automatic.

**JNCoRacer** · Oct 30th, 2009, 01:03 PM

Mikejj, I knew you had an auto by your reference of hard shifts from 1st to 2nd. I had similar problems with my 96 and 98. Do you have a vibration when the car is in gear and stopped with your foot on the brake...but it goes away if you put it in neutral or park?

mikejj · Oct 30th, 2009, 01:27 PM

No, there are no vibrations in the transmission. It just bangs hard going to second gear. The only way to mitigate it, is to accelerate really slowly, then you do not feel it as bad. It also downshifts hard, but not nearly quite as hard, when you stop.

jdgrotte · Oct 30th, 2009, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JNCoRacer

Mikejj, I knew you had an auto by your reference of hard shifts from 1st to 2nd. I had similar problems with my 96 and 98. Do you have a vibration when the car is in gear and stopped with your foot on the brake...but it goes away if you put it in neutral or park?

Ya thinkin' motor mounts?
That's what I'm thinkin...

**JNCoRacer** · Oct 30th, 2009, 07:38 PM

Motor mounts or the drop resistor.

jdgrotte · Oct 30th, 2009, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JNCoRacer

Motor mounts or the drop resistor.

What is this 'drop resistor'?
If I had to guess, I'd say it was hooked up to a shift solenoid and/or governor and modifies the line pressure for shifting. If you pull the drop resistor, line pressure goes up all the time and the shifts get crazy hard?

**JNCoRacer** · Oct 30th, 2009, 11:41 PM

You are correct. Its located on the drivers side strut tower, facing towards the front of the car, behind the air intake filter box.

mikejj · Nov 3rd, 2009, 12:41 PM

Thanks,

I replaced the motor mounts a couple of months ago. I will find and replace the drop resistor.

Mike

mikejj · Nov 13th, 2009, 03:03 PM

JNCoRacer, thank you again. I replaced the resistor, and the vehicle shifts fine now. I owe you one. Mikejj

**JNCoRacer** · Nov 13th, 2009, 04:22 PM

Thats awesome. Happy to hear you got it fixed. It shouldve been a cheap part. And thats the best way to start trouble shooting when replacing parts...cheapest first.