7AT shifting issues

NIGHTHAWK11 · 12-01-2018, 09:51 PM

Hello all, recently I've noticed my trans having issues downshifting when I slow down. Sounds like it can't decide what gear it wants. In some cases, it doesn't go into a gear at all, and takes a second for the gear to engage. This is a 2012 with 50k miles. Could this be a fluid issue? I haven't worked on cars in many years, and generally take it to a Nissan shop for service. While the oil is changed regularly, the Trans fluid has not been changed. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

jchammond · 12-01-2018, 10:38 PM

19mm drain plug @ rear of pan & 5mm allen ck plug near front on left side...they’re is a diy somewhere on here,,,may take me a while to find, but it fills through the 5mm check plug & while the car is running at idle; should be a slow drip when trans fluid is just over 100*F
I definitely recommend a drain/fill ... let run a while & repeat at least once or twice

jchammond · 12-01-2018, 10:39 PM

You may want to ck fluid level before beginning procedure- could be low...but w/50k I guarantee the fluid looks like black coffee

jchammond · 12-01-2018, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NIGHTHAWK11

Hello all, recently I've noticed my trans having issues downshifting when I slow down. Sounds like it can't decide what gear it wants. In some cases, it doesn't go into a gear at all, and takes a second for the gear to engage. This is a 2012 with 50k miles. Could this be a fluid issue? I haven't worked on cars in many years, and generally take it to a Nissan shop for service. While the oil is changed regularly, the Trans fluid has not been changed. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Here’s what I used; about 18$ a gallon from Walmart...takes about 3 gallons to flush & fill, only 1 gallon to drain & fill while car is parked level.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

*J*ap***V*et* · 12-01-2018, 11:27 PM

Sounds like possible shift flare issues. I've noticed any car I've been in with a manualmatic always seems to have slight issue with 2nd to 3rd and coming to a slow or stop. It was extreme in my Eclipse. Never had any issue and even after 130k it shifted out fine in all 4 gears. My 370 does it too...09 with 48k. Good fluid change wouldn't hurt. Hope you get it all figured out!

SouthArk370Z · 12-01-2018, 11:46 PM

I'm pretty sure jchammond is on the right track. After 50k miles, you're about due for a good drain/refill - especially if you do much spirited driving.

jchammond · 12-02-2018, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

I'm pretty sure jchammond is on the right track. After 50k miles, you're about due for a good drain/refill - especially if you do much spirited driving.

Mine used to see 7500r’s on a daily basis & sometimes at the Dragstrip,,,did mine first time at 50k & then a simple drain/fill every 10k to ensure fluid stayed clean.....felt like a trans tune-up after each time I performed process; made shifts crisp & more responsive....never missed a beat till I was crashed @93k
That was 45weeks ago today;as I was cruising back from the Dragstrip after running 12.98@107mph & weighing well over 3600#

jchammond · 12-02-2018, 05:59 AM

Side note; I would not put in “D” when car was cold,,,I always pulled in manual & upshifted around 2500 & cruised at least 2k...never lugged car.
When car was warm,I often did the opposite when leaving stoplight; leave in “D” till it made a couple shifts & then pull over to manual to prevent transmission from up shifting too much & potentially lugging engine.
Hopefully this helps/as that fluid pictured meets vehicle spec at 1/4 the price (when purchased by the gallon)....feel free to pm me anytime

NIGHTHAWK11 · 12-07-2018, 07:55 AM

I had the dealership drain, flush, and service the trans. All is well now. Shifting is very smooth again. Thanks for the input everyone.

Tractionless · 12-25-2018, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NIGHTHAWK11

I had the dealership drain, flush, and service the trans. All is well now. Shifting is very smooth again. Thanks for the input everyone.

Hey but the transmission is said not to be serviceable LOL.

jchammond · 12-25-2018, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tractionless

Hey but the transmission is said not to be serviceable LOL.

Download the Nissan service manual & go to pages TM-309,TM-310 & TM-311

12-01-2018, 09:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
NIGHTHAWK11 Base Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Florida Posts: 14 Drives: 2014 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 8	7AT shifting issues Hello all, recently I've noticed my trans having issues downshifting when I slow down. Sounds like it can't decide what gear it wants. In some cases, it doesn't go into a gear at all, and takes a second for the gear to engage. This is a 2012 with 50k miles. Could this be a fluid issue? I haven't worked on cars in many years, and generally take it to a Nissan shop for service. While the oil is changed regularly, the Trans fluid has not been changed. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. jchammond likes this.

12-01-2018, 10:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
jchammond A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Carolina Age: 57 Posts: 15,204 Drives: 13’ 370Z TS 7A/T Rep Power: 2684394	19mm drain plug @ rear of pan & 5mm allen ck plug near front on left side...they’re is a diy somewhere on here,,,may take me a while to find, but it fills through the 5mm check plug & while the car is running at idle; should be a slow drip when trans fluid is just over 100*F I definitely recommend a drain/fill ... let run a while & repeat at least once or twice SouthArk370Z, Memphis370Z, old guy and 1 others like this. __________________ MazWorx built long block \| FI-TT-100 Stage 2.75 \| IPT built 7A/T http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...s-musings.html

12-01-2018, 10:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
jchammond A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Carolina Age: 57 Posts: 15,204 Drives: 13’ 370Z TS 7A/T Rep Power: 2684394	You may want to ck fluid level before beginning procedure- could be low...but w/50k I guarantee the fluid looks like black coffee SouthArk370Z and Memphis370Z like this. __________________ MazWorx built long block \| FI-TT-100 Stage 2.75 \| IPT built 7A/T http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...s-musings.html

12-01-2018, 11:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324197	I'm pretty sure jchammond is on the right track. After 50k miles, you're about due for a good drain/refill - especially if you do much spirited driving. jchammond likes this. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

12-02-2018, 05:59 AM	#8 (permalink)
jchammond A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Carolina Age: 57 Posts: 15,204 Drives: 13’ 370Z TS 7A/T Rep Power: 2684394	Side note; I would not put in “D” when car was cold,,,I always pulled in manual & upshifted around 2500 & cruised at least 2k...never lugged car. When car was warm,I often did the opposite when leaving stoplight; leave in “D” till it made a couple shifts & then pull over to manual to prevent transmission from up shifting too much & potentially lugging engine. Hopefully this helps/as that fluid pictured meets vehicle spec at 1/4 the price (when purchased by the gallon)....feel free to pm me anytime Tractionless likes this. __________________ MazWorx built long block \| FI-TT-100 Stage 2.75 \| IPT built 7A/T http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...s-musings.html

12-01-2018, 11:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
Jap**Vet* Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Illinois Posts: 479 Drives: 2009 370z Rep Power: 115133	Sounds like possible shift flare issues. I've noticed any car I've been in with a manualmatic always seems to have slight issue with 2nd to 3rd and coming to a slow or stop. It was extreme in my Eclipse. Never had any issue and even after 130k it shifted out fine in all 4 gears. My 370 does it too...09 with 48k. Good fluid change wouldn't hurt. Hope you get it all figured out!

12-07-2018, 07:55 AM	#9 (permalink)
NIGHTHAWK11 Base Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Florida Posts: 14 Drives: 2014 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 8	I had the dealership drain, flush, and service the trans. All is well now. Shifting is very smooth again. Thanks for the input everyone. Memphis370Z and wideglideleon like this.

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