350pete Posted August 29, 2010 Share Posted August 29, 2010 Hi all, I am the new owner of an 03 JDM Auto Zed. Unfortunately it has a gearbox issue which I'd like to get some advice & tips on. The upchanges are sometimes very jerky (maybe it's me or I need to get used to it) but the showstopping issue is that if you floor the throttle to wot I get loads of revs but no acceleration. The box seems to change down in D but whatever gear or speed if I hit the pedal I just produce noise & no acceleration at all. I can only make progress by accelerating very calmly & carefully. I have checked the ATF fluid level and there seems to be enough of it - it has gone brown but doesn't smell burnt. Can anyone on here give me any ideas what they think it could be and I'd be interested in a worst case scenario cost-wise...? Has anyone had to have a new auto transmission here? Also any suggestions on where to take it (I'm in Norfolk) would be handy - I want to avoid driving it too far in current condition but also want someone who knows what they're looking at & I guess the local dealer may not... Thanks Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marzman Posted August 29, 2010 Share Posted August 29, 2010 Hmmm.... In my 3 years on here, i've never read of a gearbox issue like this with the Autos. There is an excellent section of the service manual (section 'AT') which can be found on here, which should be your first port of call. It will allow you to diagnose most issues. Let me see if i can find the link to the manual... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marzman Posted August 29, 2010 Share Posted August 29, 2010 Okay - couldnt find the link - so ive attached my copy of the AT section. You just need to download and unzip it. I will also say that what you're describing sounds quite bad to be honest. I would say worst case scenario you'd be looking at a replacement box... but im sure you'll be able to get one of these quite easily... You can PM a member on here called R35LEE whi breaks 350z's. I know he's had some auto's in the past... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captain Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 It probably isn't this, but what driving mode have you got this in? Normal, Sport or Snow? Try all 3 and report back any differences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demolition49 Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 it sounds like the clutch is slipping? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dblock Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 it sounds like the clutch is slipping? its an auto unless something is ruined like the torque convetor. You sure its not wheel spining? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andlid Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 wheel spinning = class Could be sensors, valves, fluid, software... Not sure re Z but the Vovlo T5 Geartronic I have now has oil 'for life' which is absurd, changed the ATF fluid and the gearbox is much better now, didn't do a full flush yet since it can disslodge crap in the gearbox if you dont know the full story of it is so currently only done plug out and and in and replaced about 1/2 of the total ammount of fluid. Whats the history of the car/gearbox and oil changes? As I said not sure if there is a service interval for oil change, could even be dodgy oil used in the last change, went around to some of the bigger garages looking for ATF fluid for mine and the @*!# stuff they put in the auto boxes I'm NEVER handing my in to a non trusted mech ever... anyway. What year car is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
350pete Posted August 31, 2010 Author Share Posted August 31, 2010 Hi Guys, Thanks for the replies - it's an 03 JDM. I have been using it in normal mode, problem got much worse today - didn't think I was going to make it home, getting slip in all gears & tip with any amount of throttle Was very difficult to move the car today. Have been in touch with a couple of mechs who have basically said it sounds like burnt clutch linings/bands and will need a total transmission rebuild/overhaul. Not sure where is best to take the car (if I make it at all) & figures like £1500+ have been mentioned. I am thinking maybe I should buy this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 2761.l1259 and then just need to find someone who can fit it for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dblock Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 Hi Guys, Thanks for the replies - it's an 03 JDM. I have been using it in normal mode, problem got much worse today - didn't think I was going to make it home, getting slip in all gears & tip with any amount of throttle Was very difficult to move the car today. Have been in touch with a couple of mechs who have basically said it sounds like burnt clutch linings/bands and will need a total transmission rebuild/overhaul. Not sure where is best to take the car (if I make it at all) & figures like £1500+ have been mentioned. I am thinking maybe I should buy this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 2761.l1259 and then just need to find someone who can fit it for me! You are buying a box which you know nothing about but if you get it cheap go for it. I'd PM the Zman as he will give you an informed decsion of whats up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
350pete Posted August 31, 2010 Author Share Posted August 31, 2010 Hi Dblock, Yeah that was my thought (no history/warranty) but no way I can afford to shell out £1500+ & I'm thinking if I can get a replacement box for a good price 300-400ish then my theory was that the labour to fit the replacement is likely to be less than dissecting & overhauling my AT... don't know if this is true.? 800-900 would still be a serious PITA but do-able... Have pm'ed Lee to see what he thinks on supply/install. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dblock Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 Hi Dblock, Yeah that was my thought (no history/warranty) but no way I can afford to shell out £1500+ & I'm thinking if I can get a replacement box for a good price 300-400ish then my theory was that the labour to fit the replacement is likely to be less than dissecting & overhauling my AT... don't know if this is true.? 800-900 would still be a serious PITA but do-able... Have pm'ed Lee to see what he thinks on supply/install. I know what you mean mate, Im gutted for you. Hopefully its not too much damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronzee Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 Did you buy this car privately or via a dealer? See where I'm going with this. As the others have commented, it's pretty rare for the tip-tronic boxes to croak. Get it to someone who knows the cars, not just talking through a hole in their heads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andlid Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 Did you buy this car privately or via a dealer? See where I'm going with this. As the others have commented, it's pretty rare for the tip-tronic boxes to croak. Get it to someone who knows the cars, not just talking through a hole in their heads. hole in the head... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
350pete Posted September 1, 2010 Author Share Posted September 1, 2010 bought from a dealer but no warranty... :-( I don't know of any Nissan specialists locally & auto tranny places seem to be few & far between down my way. Problem now is its difficult to get the car anywhere to be looked at and even harder to take it elsewhere if I don't like the answer... gutted... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andlid Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 bought from a dealer but no warranty... :-( I don't know of any Nissan specialists locally & auto tranny places seem to be few & far between down my way. Problem now is its difficult to get the car anywhere to be looked at and even harder to take it elsewhere if I don't like the answer... gutted... if you have to 'replace' it why not just convert it into a manual ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
350pete Posted September 1, 2010 Author Share Posted September 1, 2010 I assume that was a joke (i actually enjoyed the auto - briefly!!) but anybody know of someone who has done this... Is it even possible to change 5at to 6mt...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andlid Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 I assume that was a joke (i actually enjoyed the auto - briefly!!) but anybody know of someone who has done this... Is it even possible to change 5at to 6mt...? I'll dig up the thread... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marzman Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 Dont convert it. The auto is great. If i was you i would buy a used auto box because as i said, i've never seen or heard of another auto problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dblock Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 Dont convert it. The auto is great. If i was you i would buy a used auto box because as i said, i've never seen or heard of another auto problem. +1, plus its £995 minus the box to convert it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demolition49 Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 if you have to 'replace' it why not just convert it into a manual ? +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andlid Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 I assume that was a joke (i actually enjoyed the auto - briefly!!) but anybody know of someone who has done this... Is it even possible to change 5at to 6mt...? I'll dig up the thread... viewtopic.php?f=108&t=33311 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
350pete Posted September 2, 2010 Author Share Posted September 2, 2010 actually £999 seems fairly reasonable - gives me hope that I can get a straight swap done for half as much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dblock Posted September 2, 2010 Share Posted September 2, 2010 actually £999 seems fairly reasonable - gives me hope that I can get a straight swap done for half as much. Thats minus the manual gearbox though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
350pete Posted September 2, 2010 Author Share Posted September 2, 2010 true but if all the work involved in fitting a manual (which must be plenty) can be done for £1k then it doesn't seem totally unreasonable to expect that I can get someone to do my direct swap for a working AT unit for £500 - no...? plus I am wondering if my usual mechanic may be able to do it now the job doesn't require totally dissassembling and refurbing the trans - in my mind I'm thinking it should be a much easier/quicker job...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andlid Posted September 2, 2010 Share Posted September 2, 2010 true but if all the work involved in fitting a manual (which must be plenty) can be done for £1k then it doesn't seem totally unreasonable to expect that I can get someone to do my direct swap for a working AT unit for £500 - no...? plus I am wondering if my usual mechanic may be able to do it now the job doesn't require totally dissassembling and refurbing the trans - in my mind I'm thinking it should be a much easier/quicker job...? why dont you call the lads on the thread! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.