Terrano Auto Issues

[icekayak]

Facelift Terrano D21 TD27

Was cruising up the highway and after about 15 mins I suddenly just felt the gearbox slip and it just free revs. Coasted to the side. Turned vehicle on and off and tried again, got about another 100m. Repeat 20 times and then call the AA to get towed home.

Once the gearbox has slipped nothing works other than turning it on and off, the vehicle won't move forward or backwards.

After turning vehicle on each time tried Power/Auto/OD switches, tried driving slowly, tried locking it in all gears (other than reverse - didn't try driving 100m in reverse) it always slips after a short distance. Once I got home and vehicle had rested for a couple of days it made it up our street twice and then started slipping.

Any ideas? Fluid level is fine...
Has only done about 180k so not excately high kms.
I don't tow with it and the temp gauge on the dash never gets hot.


Does anyone know how much is involved in swapping the auto? Is it best to take it out with the engine out the top or drop it down the bottom?

[The Stranger]

I don't know what's wrong with the box, but I do know it's an absolute b#$/h to get the trans out. I was quoted 1200 labour to swap my box. Having done it myself now i recon that was well worth my paying them to do it. Full reco, new TC and a shift kit cost me 4k and that was without the labour to swap it out.

[ArvinSlayer]

Try flushing it with atf then put a new tranny filter and fill it up with oil? Happened to mine once, i did that and it sorted itself out

Peace

Arvin the local noob

[lax2wlg]

Nissan released a TSB on the D21 auto gearbox - the factory transmission cooler lines get gunked up over the years, leading to starvation --> overheating --> failure. So although the fluid level seems fine it may not be circulating properly.

Most common fix/preventative measure is to remove the factory trans cooler and replace it with new lines and a larger aftermarket cooler.

[Paulballz]

check the gearbox cluster of electrical plugs (they by brake booster and run down towards gearbox) One of them is a "Lock up" switch if that is faulty it could be releasing, worth a try anyway...What does the oil smell like, they usually have strong odor when overheated...Sounds like could be electrical fault read this to run self diagnostics http://www.240edge.com/manuals/89-90_240sx/auto_tra.pdf

Please don't take this wrong way but you did check gearbox oil correctly i.e with engine running? and did you check it on the highway when it first happened, if she had overheated the fluid would be way above the high mark as it expands quite a bit

[icekayak]

Please don't take this wrong way but you did check gearbox oil correctly i.e with engine running? and did you check it on the highway when it first happened, if she had overheated the fluid would be way above the high mark as it expands quite a bit

Yep I checked it about a week prior and it was fine, then when it all happened I checked it and it was way above the mark but seemed very thin... By the time the AA came it was back to normal level.

I have been checking it in neutral with the engine running?

Will have a go at the diagnositics thanks.

[icekayak]

Nissan released a TSB on the D21 auto gearbox - the factory transmission cooler lines get gunked up over the years, leading to starvation --> overheating --> failure. So although the fluid level seems fine it may not be circulating properly.

Most common fix/preventative measure is to remove the factory trans cooler and replace it with new lines and a larger aftermarket cooler.

Do you know if the factory temp gauge or ATP light would show that the Auto was overheating?

[lax2wlg]

Not sure about the dash light, but here is the official service bulletin released from Nissan.

They say clean it according to their directions and it will be fine! Maybe more economical than an aftermarket cooler.

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/pathfinder/ ... EANING.pdf

[Paulballz]

Do you know if the factory temp gauge or ATP light would show that the Auto was overheating?

Nope it doesn't mate...when my original overheated it didn't come on..gearbox started a slight moan so pulled over an just like yours level was real high...don't want to be bearer of bad news but don't think a small problem your having...another self diagnostic tip is to remove one of gearbox hoses an put end into clean bucket an turn engine over quickly pump maybe 300 to 500ml an check for metal filings in oil...once oil over heats it looses viscosity that is why it's thin an shouldnt smell normal

Yup shift lever through gears with brake obviously then back to neutral..

An in worst case scenario you need to replace gearbox do it itself...it will teach you a lot (if new to that sort of thing) an following a plan for removing it expect half day for removal an half to three quarters to install gearbox..that's at a slow steady pace with good tools

[icekayak]

Do you know if the factory temp gauge or ATP light would show that the Auto was overheating?

Nope it doesn't mate...when my original overheated it didn't come on..gearbox started a slight moan so pulled over an just like yours level was real high...don't want to be bearer of bad news but don't think a small problem your having...another self diagnostic tip is to remove one of gearbox hoses an put end into clean bucket an turn engine over quickly pump maybe 300 to 500ml an check for metal filings in oil...once oil over heats it looses viscosity that is why it's thin an shouldnt smell normal

Yup shift lever through gears with brake obviously then back to neutral..

An in worst case scenario you need to replace gearbox do it itself...it will teach you a lot (if new to that sort of thing) an following a plan for removing it expect half day for removal an half to three quarters to install gearbox..that's at a slow steady pace with good tools

Yep suspected it may need a new box.. Just didn't want to do it and find out it was something like the TPS or the torque converter and changing the box hasn't fixed it...

[reef]

I have a simillar issue with my 92 D21 auto, when driving 100km/h on the motor way it slips from forth to third then back into forth all at a constant speed?

does anyone know what causes this?????