Transmission will not go into reverse

Tiny
BCMULLEN95
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER
  • 165,230 MILES
It happened put of the blue, no warning signs. All other gears work fine. I know there can be a problem with the LPS, internal damage or shift linkage. Can anyone direct me on how to check the LPS solenoid? If I remove the pan and switch between the gears I should feel a click and it will tell me whether or not the LPS is bad? I feel the click it is good, I don't it is bad? I would assume that if there is a click the transmission reverse clutch is bad right, and to either replace the entire transmission or rebuild it?
Wednesday, December 14th, 2011 AT 12:17 AM

14 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,055 POSTS
I found it. The LPS (line pressure solenoid). LPS + solenoid screwed me up. I thought the "S" had an additional meaning.

Regardles, you must not have reverse. The LPS is located in the transmission. Drain fluid, remove filter and locate LPS. You can switch between gears and actually feel a click when placed in reverse.

No, the clutch won't engage with the engine off and the trans fluid removed. However, with the key on, engine off, you should be able to hear or feel the solenoid respond when shifting into reverse.

One more thing is the gear position sensor which is on the side of the transmission if this switch goes out it will cause the transmission not to go into reverse. Check out the diagram (Below)

Cheers.
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Wednesday, December 14th, 2011 AT 5:07 AM
Tiny
BCMULLEN95
  • MEMBER
  • 249 POSTS
I hear it could be a shift solenoid Just want to verify before I do anything. Thanks
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Thursday, December 15th, 2011 AT 12:11 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,055 POSTS
Yes it could be a solenoid but it is more likely the position sensor.
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Thursday, December 15th, 2011 AT 12:16 AM
Tiny
BCMULLEN95
  • MEMBER
  • 249 POSTS
If the car hesitates when you put into drive could that be a LPS, or are the clutches bad? What I mean by hesitate is that I have to step on the gas for it to go, it only does this when I put into drive not reverse. Once I get going it drives fine. If I an on a drive way with an incline it rolls back. If you can give me any ideas on what would be causing it that would be great.
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Saturday, December 17th, 2011 AT 7:26 PM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Does your Pathfinder come equipped with a hill holder system? If not, coasting backward at idle while in gear with no throttle applied isn't out of the ordinary.

Also, having to depress the throttle to go is normal as well.
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Monday, January 2nd, 2012 AT 3:26 AM
Tiny
BCMULLEN95
  • MEMBER
  • 249 POSTS
Research that I read on different forums told me that could be normal, however it also hesitated on take off. I think the pump may not be working as well as it should. I have to accelerate for a little to get the pressure up in order for the pathfinder to move so I finally replaced the gear position switch/sensor and the problem is fixed, I wish I did that earlier, O well lol thanks 2Carpros I love this site.
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Monday, January 2nd, 2012 AT 4:33 AM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Use 2CarPros anytime, we are here to help. Please tell a friend.

Cheers
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Monday, January 2nd, 2012 AT 4:37 AM
Tiny
ENUS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER
  • 3.5L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
Park, drive, nuetral, reverse, 2, 1 all engaged and work properly. Only reverse gear do not respond to allow the car move backwards. What is the cause?
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Tuesday, November 28th, 2017 AT 5:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLINTELMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER
Hello, I have a 97 Pathfinder and all of a sudden the car will not go in Reverse. When I put it in gear it does not do anything. It doesn't even give that little jerk like it's in gear. Has anyone had this problem? Do you think it will need a new or rebuilt tranny? If so any idea on what the cost of something like that should be? The truck has 115,000 miles, it's a 6 cylinder Thanks!
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Tuesday, November 28th, 2017 AT 5:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ANGEE273
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have a 94 pathfinder my reverse just went out but it still go into gears but I was told that I will need a new transmission.
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Tuesday, November 28th, 2017 AT 5:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MICHELEMAZELLA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 162,000 MILES
Transmission problem
1996 Nissan Pathfinder 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 162000 miles

all of a sudden my rebverse is not working everything else seems to be working fine tho what do I need to do1!
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Tuesday, November 28th, 2017 AT 5:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi here,

You will have to take this to a transmission specialist, they will have all the equipment to do a full diagnosis on this problem, hopefully it will only be a sticky shift valve or a solinoid issue, start here.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Tuesday, November 28th, 2017 AT 5:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHANSAM
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER
Transmission problem
1998 Nissan Pathfinder 6 cyl Automatic 165, 00 miles

The car would not move when it is in reverse. How much is it going to cost me to fix it?
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Tuesday, November 28th, 2017 AT 5:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
AARONCAMPBELL251
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
1800 dollars my dad has a 94 and his did the same thing had to have the whole trans rebuilt but now shes pulling stronger than ever.
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Tuesday, November 28th, 2017 AT 5:56 PM (Merged)

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