CVT transmission slipping I changed CVT fluid it was bad I thought problem was solved

JEREMYDH81

MEMBER
2011 NISSAN ALTIMA
2.5L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

My car was driving fine then out of nowhere going down the freeway it stopped accelerating. So I towed it home and checked the code it said transmission pressure control solenoid stuck open. Anyway I changed CVT fluid it was bad I thought problem was solved it was driving fine again then again on freeway it did same thing. When I changed fluid I was only able to get four quarts out and it says it holds 7.1 quarts. I need advice please. Thank you

2 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,363 POSTS

The transmission in these cars go out all the time due to the band they have running inside causes issues. When you changed the fluid was it dark? Lets run the codes to see what comes up.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

It could be you have a clogged transmission filter, these guides should help us fix it.

https://youtu.be/HJdcWI6m3J4

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-service-an-automatic-transmission

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/automatic-transmission-problems

Please run down these guides and report back.

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Monday, January 28th, 2019 AT 6:37 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Hi and thanks for using 2carpros. Com

The pressure control solenoid could be bad or if the fluid was extremely contaminated, there could be something blocked. There are two pressure control solenoids. I need to know the code you got so I can further advise. This could even be related to a partially plugged cooler,

As far as all the ATF, they make machines to flush the entire system. Basically, the machine pumps new fluid in while the old is being removed. Since you don't have the flush machine, the best you can do is drain and refill a few times. Drive a mile or two after refilling and before draining. .

Here are directions for cleaning and checking the transmission cooler. The attached pictures correlate with these directions.

CVT FLUID COOLER DIAGNOSIS PROCEDURE

NOTE:
Insufficient cleaning of the cooler inlet hose exterior may lead to inaccurate debris identification.
1. Position an oil pan under the transaxle's inlet and outlet cooler hoses.
2. Clean the exterior and tip of the cooler inlet hose.

Pic 1

3. Insert the extension adapter hose of a can of Transmission
Cooler Cleaner (Nissan P/N 999MP-AM006) into the cooler outlet hose.

CAUTION:
- Wear safety glasses and rubber gloves when spraying the
Transmission Cooler Cleaner.
- Spray Transmission Cooler Cleaner only with adequate ventilation.
- Avoid contact with eyes and skin.
- Do not breath vapors or spray mist.
4. Hold the hose and can as high as possible and spray Transmission Cooler Cleaner in a continuous stream into the cooler outlet hose until CVT fluid flows out of the cooler inlet hose for 5 seconds.

Pic 2

5. Tie a common white, basket-type coffee filter to the end of the cooler inlet hose.

Pic 3

6. Insert the tip of an air gun into the end of the cooler outlet hose.
7. Wrap a shop rag around the air gun tip and end of cooler outlet hose.
8. Blow compressed air regulated to 5 to 9 kg/cm2 (70 to 130 psi) through the cooler outlet hose to force any remaining CVT fluid into the coffee filter.
9. Remove the coffee filter from the end of the cooler inlet hose.
10. Perform "CVT FLUID COOLER INSPECTION PROCEDURE".

CVT FLUID COOLER INSPECTION PROCEDURE

Pic 4

1. Inspect the coffee filter for debris.
A. If small metal debris less than 1 mm (0.040 in) in size or metal powder is found in the coffee filter, this is normal. If normal debris is found, the CVT fluid cooler/radiator can be re-used and the procedure is ended.

Let me know what you find as well as the code that you got.

Take care,
Joe

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