Overdrive not working properly

Tiny
ALTERREL0123
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 NISSAN XTERRA
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
It feels like the the transmission overdrive stops working and then the vehicle feels like it's in neutral. No other issues with this vehicle.
Saturday, March 13th, 2021 AT 12:58 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
I assume this is at highway speeds that it feels like it shifts to neutral? Does it do it all the time at a certain speed or is it random?

I would start with checking the fluid level and condition. Then we need to check for codes.

I suspect this is either a fluid issue or a possible torque converter solenoid issue but I would expect a code to go with that.

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

Below is the process to check the fluid. Let's start with this and go from there.
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Monday, March 15th, 2021 AT 6:07 PM
Tiny
ALTERREL0123
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It does it on highway and regular drive. The fluid looks dirty like brown no signs of red. It seems to start feeling like i's in neutral as the transmission begins shifting between 3rd and fourth. As in it never engages to 4th. But if I drop the shifter to 3rd it grabs back or if I keep the o/d off. Its not a fluid issue though.
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Wednesday, March 17th, 2021 AT 9:56 AM
Tiny
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Unfortunately you are probably correct that changing the fluid at this point will not correct it but it is a sign as to what is happening. At this point you have a clutch issue caused by a solenoid issue in the valve body.

We should check for codes as I suspect you have some that will point to a specific solenoid.

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

What I suspect is the fluid deteriorated and the clutches started slipping. Then that burned the fluid and made it worse. Then eventually the solenoid gave out. There is a chance that it went the other way which is the solenoid failed and you lose the specific gear.

However, that is normally accompanied by a check engine light.
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Thursday, March 18th, 2021 AT 6:16 PM
Tiny
ALTERREL0123
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Okay. Hello, sorry for the long wait on a response. I was able to run a code reader, and the vehicle still acts like it is going into neutral only at the shift point from 3rd going into 4th. Well it never goes into 4th gear it acts as if I put into neutral. This happens in any driving condition highway or in town even if I gradually work my way up to that point or if I accelerate quickly. I changed filter and fluid as a precaution. But my code reader shows P1754- clutch solenoid circuit and also P0340-camshaft sensor circuit malfunction.
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Saturday, April 3rd, 2021 AT 2:24 PM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
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The P1754 is the cause of this. This code is telling you that there is a wiring or solenoid issue. Basically these solenoids are what controls the direction of the fluid which is what engages the clutches for each gear. So when you are reaching this gear the solenoid is not changing the direction of the fluid in the valve body so that 4th gear can engage. So it doesn't engage or it takes a while and then it sets this code.

Below is the info on this.
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Sunday, April 4th, 2021 AT 6:12 PM

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