Transmission problem (?) after a transmission fluid change
 

Hi everyone,

I had a transmission fluid change at my old dealership after I moved 50 miles north. All seemed fine after the fluid change (they insisted that I use Nissan's special transmission fluid) - I drove back north and parked the car without noticing any problems.

The next morning, I noticed that transmission appear to "locked up" for 2-3 seconds whenever I come to a full stop while on 2nd gear or above. I could feel the car downshift into the first gear, then it would come to a dead stop. I would press the gas pedal and the engine would rev up fine, but nothing happens even if I rev up to 4k rpm. The car sits perfectly still as if the wheels were bolted into the ground.

After 2-3 seconds, the Z jerks slightly and its power-train comes back alive (if press the gas pedal for the whole time or maintained a high RPM, the car would bolt forward like an arrow)

Then on the freeway, I had to brake really hard (60 mph to 0 all the way) to avoid running into a hazard. It became scary as I was stopped dead in the middle of the freeway for 3 seconds. The same thing happened - my Z shifted down to the 1st gear, followed by its drivetrain comes to a dead still. Pressing gas pedal did nothing, then the car comes back alive and I almost rammed into the car in front of me.

I contacted the dealership and they were concerned. I drove 50 miles down south the next day, met with the service foreman, and we did a road test. To my surprise, the problem never reared its ugly face. Everyone thought I was just a lying customer making stuff up, even I thought it was a one time thing and I was being too sensitive.

Drove the car up north. Went to bed. Woke up the next morning and it happened all over again. This makes me think the problem happens when something is cold. I know so little about transmission that I don't know where to begin. Web searches and forum searches didn't turn up anything specific (there are alot of cars that experiences jerkiness at stops, but mine stops dead for 2-3 seconds, and only when at decelerations that went down to the 1st gear)

Now I am trying to find a good local dealership, but I want to hear your thoughts on what causes this problem. That way even if the dealership says "oh everything is just fine", I can suggest them to look into something specific.

Thanks!

I sounds like they didn't refill with the correct amount of fluid. The refill procedure is a bit of a pain, for a correct fluid level the engine needs to be running and the transmission at operating temperature and cycled through drive, reverse, neutral and park several times. It takes quite a bit of time, if they take a short cut you have these kind of serious problems.

This ^^^^

I would suggest to leave it overnight so they can have better luck in duplicating the issue but it seems like the fluid change might of not been done correctly as Chris mentioned.

Thank you both, Chris and Triple's!

I will take the car to a new shop as soon as possible and request the transmission fluid levels to be checked out.

Agreed with above

Thread necro, I know. I've been searching for a while and this is the closest thread I could find related to the problem I'm having:

My 7AT is basically bogging between up shifts, and I’m not sure what the cause could be.

This is what happens for every up shift: I’m stopped, begin accelerating, the transmission shifts to second, but as it shifts the drivetrain loses power, surges in power, loses power, surges in power again (causing the car to buck a few times), I hear a very faint backfire (occasionally; 1 out of 5 shifts), then accelerates like nothing ever happened.

The car idles and downshifts like normal. It’s a 2009 with 50k, No CEL present, full tank of gas, washed the car last night (maybe water somehow got in the tank?), just had an alignment done ~200 miles ago (ESM issue?), has been UpRev tuned for ~5k miles, oil temps at 180, coolant temps were normal, didn’t lose any electronics during drivetrain power loss, I have not had the 7AT fluid changed like the OP did.

When I accelerate with my foot barely on the throttle, it doesn’t bog. But as soon as I go to accelerate any harder it’ll lose power then surge.

The OP hasn't posted an update and hasn't been active since 2011, but has anyone had/heard of this issue with the 7AT and/or think they know what it might be?

Also, should I take it to a dealership or a local shop?

Thank you in advance for any info!

(EDIT): UPDATE

The Injen air filters currently on the car got water/soap on them from the last time I washed the car. We had a heavy downpour after the car was washed and soap bubbles ran up to the intake manifold causing the car to run like s**t.

Filters were cleaned, battery was replaced (regular 5 year maintenance), and Injen hydro-shields were installed.

Was not an issue with the transmission.

Mines doing the same thing...is it okay to drive it to the shop with low fluid, or should I get it towed?

Good information!