Weird 07 Nissan CVT "Issue"

[BISCUT]

I know in 07 the CVT's in Nissan were not know for long term endurance! I'm talking about 07 Maxima CVT in a clean car (in my family for almost all of the 115k or so miles on it). I took it over from moms when she passed away about 92k. The CVT had never been serviced so over 10k I did 3 drain/fills with Amsoil CVT fluid. Never had an issue always geared up well.

A few weeks ago on day 1 I went to drive it. Backed out of driveway and it was fine; drove down road fine; and hit highway and it wouldn't get out of 3rd gear or so it seemed. Stuck with no power and hitting the gas just got RMP up and stayed around 40-50mph. 5 Miles away stopped car (cant remember if I turned off or only put in park). Issue gone! Mirror this experience for day 2.

Call my mechanic and let him know, soon i'll be bringing CVT to ya....I figure CVT shot and there is no fixing these, just replace. Fast forward a week later I go to limp it 25 miles to him, and its a ok. Since then I put on almost 400 miles and it has not missed a shift. Smooth as silk.

Only thing I can throw out is that the winter moved to spring and the temps on the days it was happening were 58-65F daytime and 25-29F overnight. Not that that should happen....

Any ideas? Makes me leery because I will drive her to Northern VT or NH some 350 miles away form me to climb some mountains and I don't want to get stranded. I love my F150 but sometimes, especially in good weather the Maxima is great to fly around in.

 

[Nick1994]

Can you check the fluid level on it? Maybe the level wasn't perfect the last time you did a drain/refill.

Also I believe these do have a filter under the pan, it might be dirty. I doubt it though.

 

[bbhero]

I believe that the manual clearly states to only use Nissan NS-2 CVT fluid in their transmissions. This is not negotiable per the manual. There is no phrase of using Nissan fluid or equivalent. The CVTs are a tough nut to crack and it may well be best in these cases to follow what the book says. I agree with the previous post that speaks of checking the level. Again, I've heard these badboys are real particular about fluid level too.

I really hope that all this trouble is behind you and that it will be good for a very long time.

 

[The Critic]

http://www.nissanassist.com/vehicles.php?menu=5

You should be under warranty until 120k....if you are using the approved Nissan fluid.

 

[yvon_la]

oil filter clogged!( transmission oil filter)

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Those CVTs aren't exactly reliable, especially the early ones. Even if the proper fluid is used they seem to be done by 100000 miles

 

[Trav]

Replace the fluid with OE fluid and take it in for warranty. If they get the idea you used non OE fluid your smoked so don't even mention it.

 

[SumpChump]

Aha! The "cold loop when not cold", had that happen to my 2010 Sentra. It first started not "shifting" with speed. I assumed and was told it was because it wanted to warm up. So it stopped doing it at 50F. Then it got worse. It stayed in warmup mode even at 50F. Then it would only reset when shut off warm.

So I took it in again and again and they replaced entire computers. I didnt want to fight a lemon case so rather than drive to work for the next 10 years at 35-50mph while running 5000-6000RPM ..... I traded it in for a
corolla. The corolla shifted because it had a real transmission.

And now Toyota is playing with fire in their trusty Corollas. But a 4 speed can still be found in a Corolla up until 2015 model year I hear. Those will be hot items in 10 years on Craigslist. I can see the ads.... "2015 Corolla NOT CVT **real automatic**"

 

[Andrew1972]

Maybe ask amsoil to foot the bill with their unapproved fluid.

 

[IveBeenRued]

Doesn't sound like a fluid issue to me. Sounds like a computer glitch, servo issue, or something else preventing the transmission changing the diameter of its pulleys. If it was a fluid issue you'd be hearing grinding, humming, or experiencing slippage.

 

[Michael_P]

I work with a guy who has over 300K on his Freestyle with a CVT. It has acted up twice on him. One time was a throttle position sensor and the other time was a coolant temp sensor. I really have no clue if this could be your problem, but sensors might be something to check. Particularly since your issue seems to be temp sensitive.

 

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted By: Michael_P
I work with a guy who has over 300K on his Freestyle with a CVT. It has acted up twice on him. One time was a throttle position sensor and the other time was a coolant temp sensor. I really have no clue if this could be your problem, but sensors might be something to check. Particularly since your issue seems to be temp sensitive.


Yes, but Fords are way better cars than Nissans, so it's not a fair comparison.

 

[BISCUT]

I did check the fluid level at operating temp, level ground and it was good. No smell and color was amber. I was thinking solenoid or sensor or just craxxed the bed as I was aware the 07 year did not exactly have highly reliable CVT's.

I did not know the CVT had a filter. I will definitely check that out.

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted By: madRiver
Maybe ask amsoil to foot the bill with their unapproved fluid.

 

[BISCUT]

Originally Posted By: madRiver
Maybe ask amsoil to foot the bill with their unapproved fluid.


That is one heck of a leap....what information would you have to base the assumption that the fluid is the cause?

 

[BISCUT]

I'm at 700 miles and not a hiccup. Still has me wondering. I'm going to do filter and another fluid change probably in June. Longer it goes without any issue makes it point back more and more to a temp related issue.

 

[KGMtech]

Well, if I was you, I'd be getting the OEM fluid into the CVT this time around...just to be on the safe side if there is even the slightest chance of warranty coverage. Just my $0.02 opinion.

 

[MaximaGuy]

I think the cardinal mistake you did was to not put OEM fluid.

Going back to OEM would at least keep the variables the same, unsure why Amsoil would be better than OEM soup.

 

[BISCUT]

I started acting up again. Although there was not a engine light activated there was a code given for a "up down shift" code P0829.

Cleared the code but it came back real quick. Now to determine if this sensor is internal or external and how difficult to replace.

Just 1 mechanic opinion, but he doesn't feel related to fluid.

 

[The_Eric]

Would you verify the code? I'm not seeing a P0829 for a CVT. It looks like it applies to an automatic and is for the 5-6 shift.