Auto-trans sticks sometimes

binardo · Feb 6th, 2006, 04:04 PM

My '95 PA won't shift into 3rd gear sometimes when the car is cold. I figured the tranny fluid and filter needs changing, but the local mechanic would touch it when I told him what was happening... Has anyone else experienced this problem (I'm going to change it myself anyway and see if it helps)?

capl3790 · Feb 6th, 2006, 04:49 PM

I talked to Nissan today and apparently the filters in the 95 tranny are just screens. So you you can wash it out and dry it good. I would replaced to fluid to start as a start.

Zilverado · Feb 6th, 2006, 04:57 PM

Since you're talking fluid and filter, I assume you are talking about an automatic? How many miles on it? Our '92 started acting up at around 90K miles (140K kms), and required a rebuild. It went out again about 50K miles later. Both times it dropped the reverse circuit of the automatic.

I have no idea what the previous owner had put it through, but the hitch looked well used, so I assume it did a fair bit of towing - - probably in O/D, cooking the tranny.

Now, while I typically do most of my own repair work, tranny work is a little out of my league. I would recommend you find a good (trust worthy) tranny shop in your area - preferably one with Nissan experiance - and see what they say. Many will do a test drive diagnosis for free.

Let us know what you find out.

binardo · Feb 7th, 2006, 06:15 AM

Thanks for the info. It is an automatic with 120k miles.
I bought it used, but a lady drove it and didn't tow with it (I couldn't imagine towing much with that engine), so I'm hoping its the screen.
My regular mechanic wouldn't touch it when I told him the symptoms, so I'm taking it to a dealer. A $99 drain and flush coupon on the internet made it too easy...

Zilverado · Feb 7th, 2006, 08:25 AM

Hope things work out for you. It may be disappointing to you that your regular mechanic won't touch it, but you've got to respect the guy for knowing his limits. I have a shop here that I occasionally bring my vehicles to(when I can't fix them). They are very good - particularly with Nissans and other imports - but they would not tackle a tranny job either. Auto trannys are an animal unto themselves and leaving this work up to people who specialize in it (or a dealer) is a good idea. Kinda like having a cardiac surgeon as opposed to an optometrist working on your heart....

Keep us updated.