Transmission not shifting right?

Tiny
BUDDYCRAIGG
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,262 POSTS
Ooooh.

It's the light with the letter P over it.
On your power/comfort switch.

You must of thought that I was crazy,
because as you said, the CHECK ENGINE light will come on anytime the key is ON and the engine is not running.

Sorry about the confusion.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 5:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NUY351
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  • 8 POSTS
No need to apologize, so much technical language these days who knows what were talking about. Not like working on my 53 F250--whole different kettle of fish!
OK, now that I know which lamp to look for and where it's located I'll run the diagnostic again.
By the way, that 53 F250 is candy apple red with white diamond tuck leather interior and a Mopar 413 under the hood. She'll pull a stump or two if I need her to!
Thanks again for clarifying the test procedure for this old relic!
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 5:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OEHLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
  • 1992 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
1992 nissan maxima downshifts eratically and cuts out every now and then. I also noticed that the car acts up way more when it is hot out and it has been in the sun for some time. In the morning on the way to work, when the air is cold (even after car is at running temp.) It goes much smoother. The transmission has a sport/comfort mode switch. When the car acts up, no matterwhat mode it is in, the sport mode light fashes randomly. I noticed today that if I turn the overdrive of, the problem goes away. I have replced the transmission, TPS, fuel pump, spark plugs, injectors, oxygen sensor, MAF, coolant temp sensor, ECM, TCM, ICM, speedo head. I suspect the speed sensor. It has been to 3 mechanics who gave up including the dealer. I have put in huge amounts of money.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 5:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BUDDYCRAIGG
  • MECHANIC
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PS, I wanted to tell you what you are looking for.
It wont be like what you are used to.

Say a GM code 12 would be flash, flash, flash.

These will be like morse code. Long, short, short, short, short, short.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 5:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
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Hi oehley,

Thank you for the donation.

What is the model of your transmision, RE4F02A or RE4F04V?

When the Power indicator lights flashwes, it indicates an error has been detected and you need to retrieve the trouble code to find out what is wrong.

SELF-DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE
NOTE:
Perform self-diagnosis with engine at normal operating temperature.

1. Ensure engine is at normal operating temperature. Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Set transmission mode switch to AUTO position, overdrive switch to ON position, and selector lever to "P" position. Turn ignition switch to ON position, but DO NOT start engine. POWER indicator light should come on for 2 seconds.

2. Turn ignition switch to OFF position and move selector lever to "D" position. Set overdrive switch to OFF position. Turn ignition switch to ON position, but
DO NOT start engine. Move selector lever to "2" position. Set overdrive switch to ON position, move selector lever to "1" position, and set overdrive switch to OFF position.

3. Depress accelerator pedal to floor and release pedal. Record POWER indicator light flashes.

NOTE:
The term "Judgement Flicker" refers to light flashes of the POWER indicator light.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 5:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NUY351
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  • 8 POSTS
I forgot to inquire as to were on line I could find a transmission vacuum line routing diagram. I dont find one in either my Chiltons or Hanes. Havent been able to locate one yet with an online search. The reason I ask is I found one vacuum hose disconnected on my inspection. This hose is a small one maybe 1/4 in dia like the ones on the master vacuum control. It is coming off the top center of the transmission Valve Body cover closest to the firewall. I've seen some references that refer to it as a Vent but that would surprise me as the vacuum line has a U shaped steel connector fitting at the terminal end as if it is designed to fit into the intake manifold or another hot mettalic surface. Any thoughts?
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 5:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OEHLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I did the transmission test and it seems to be fine. It does 10 short flashes followed by a long flash. I have the RE4F04V. I noticed today that it does have the problem even when overdrive is off.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 5:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BUDDYCRAIGG
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I'll see what I can find, but often the vent hose is attached to a U shaped plastic or metal pipe.

But normally the pipe is on a bracket keeping it pointing down, so water can not get into it.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 5:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Are all the 10 flashes same or is any in between that is slightly longer than the rest?

Did you perform the trouble code retrieval immediately after turning off the engine as soon as the POWER light starts flashing?

If no trouble codes are present, it could mean a fault with the TCM or its wiring circuit that intermittently fails, especially when warmed up. This could mean a loose or contaminated wire connection somewhere.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 5:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BUDDYCRAIGG
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Sorry, no pictures.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 5:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OEHLEY
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All ten flashes are the same. I have not tried to retrieve the code as soon as the light flashes but will do so.

I have replaced the TCM but I guess it could be the wiring. I will see if I can get a code.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 5:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
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Keep me informed of the outcome.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 5:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OEHLEY
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  • 7 POSTS
After a number of attempts, I did manage to turn the car off while the light was flashing and the diagnosis showed that flash 1 and 2 were long which looks like speed sensor issues. The dealer claims to have replaced the sensor in the speedo head and couldn't find anything wrong with the revolution speed sensor. I feel like I am making progress - thanks very much for the advice. When I unplugged the revolution sensor, it made no difference to the way the car acted?
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 5:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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The first long blink is the starting indicator and if the next one is prolonged, it means a revolution sensor fault code.

REVOLUTION SENSOR CIRCUIT TEST
Revolution sensor is a voltage generating sensor and should be tested using a voltmeter set on AC scale. Check voltage between ATCU terminal No. 25 and ground while driving vehicle. Voltage should rise gradually relative to vehicle speed. At zero MPH, voltage should not be present.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 5:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TIMHDA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1987 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 234,000 MILES
Ok so when I turn the car on it starts just fine. I let it warm up for a few minutes and then go. It accelerates just fine but just won't change gears. If I throw it in neutral and then back into drive it will choose the correct gear. When car is 100% warmed up - as in at peak operating temperature there is NO problem and it changes gears smoothly as normal.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 5:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
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Hi there, check for any set codes that relate to specific transmission problem, and get a service done by a trans specialist, they will have a better idea as to any problem that the trans may have.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 5:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OEHLEY
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  • 7 POSTS
I got a revolution sensor and a VSS and a new instrument cluster and installed them and there is no change. Does the computer need to be reset?
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 5:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Have you reconfirmed the trouble code?

Have you tested the wires for continuity between sensor and TCM?
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 5:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OEHLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
After doing the self diagnosis again, I got one code - the second flash was long (VSS)
I began to check the speed sensor circuit and I started with cleaning the connection between the sensor and harness. I was just getting started on checking the output at the TCM but had to run an errand. To my amazement, the car ran perfectly and has done so for the last couple of days. Do you think it was the connection or maybe because I messed with the wiring harness under the dash to get to plug in my spare TCM for easier checking? I am kind of confused as to why it is fixed. I unplugged the VSS and took a drive and it still performed perfectly? I was just wondering. I understand that the Revolution sensor takes over from the speed sensor when there is a fault with the speed sensor. Could it be that if there is an intermittent break in connection of the VSS while driving, is there a short delay in swithching to the Rev sensor which makes the TCM think for a split second that the car is not moving and causes it to kick down a gear or two before the revolution sensor or VSS takes over again?
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 5:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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From what transpired, I believe it was the wireharness that caused the problem and it could be near the VSS or underdash.

Recheck the connectors, especially those between the engine and TCM. Some could be contaminated or loose and if it is contaminated, problem might recurr when contact deteriorates again.

The TCM would provide a backup for any failed sensor and the blip was when it was changing to backup mode.

Hope problem is has been fixed permanently.

Have a nice day.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 5:41 PM (Merged)

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