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Nissan Frontier Transmission Questions

41 messages,  Last post on Feb 21, 2013 at 7:54 AM

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What is this discussion about? Nissan Frontier, Transmission, Truck

Messages Page 3 of 5

#13 of 41 trans. shifting problems by dwfrontier

Jun 21, 2008 (8:47 pm)

i have a 2002 nissan frontier auto v6. it shifts into overdrive to much.it want maintain speed. it slows down when pedal is steady and shifts to overdrive and repeats over and over. only does it when warmed up. can fix it when turned off for awhile. want go faster than 65 when having problems (high rpms)4000 seems like want shift out of overdrive to 5th. causing sub 10mpg. with this mpg i could be driving a dodge duelly

#14 of 41 2005 Frontier 2WD by lars284

Aug 20, 2008 (10:20 am)

I have a 2005 Frontier 2wd and my problem is it shifts into 1 & 2nd ok but will not shift into any other gears. It was fine no shifting problems before this happened. I just shut it off and when I got back in then only had the 2 gears,. Any idea's.

#15 of 41 2008 Frontier 6 speed transmission hard to shift by najawa

Nov 17, 2008 (6:02 pm)

I had trouble with the transmission making a crunching sound when I shift. After 4 trips to the Nissan dealer, they put in a new transmission. It still makes a noise and doesn't shift easy. Anyone else have this problem or any problem with their Frontier? Thanks,

#16 of 41 Re: 2008 Frontier 6 speed transmission hard to shift [najawa] by asa

Nov 22, 2008 (3:04 pm)

Replying to: najawa (Nov 17, 2008 6:02 pm)
The 6-Speed in my '06 shifts beautifully so far (18,000 Miles). The only obvious thing I can think of is the manual transmission gear oil -- it is ESSENTIAL that you use ONLY a GL-4 lubricant not a GL-5!
 
GL-5's are synthetics and contain an additive package which eats into soft metal parts like synchronizers and is to be used only in GL-5 designated gearboxes. GL-5s are not an upgrade for GL-4 transmissions. I confirmed this with a petroleum engineer friend (yep, for real) and with personal experience with an old car I have and it too grinded when I stupidly changed to a GL-5. When I went back to a GL-4 (Royal Purple Max-Gear) in the old car the grinding immediately went away.
 
Be sure that a previous owner or the dealer didn't screw up and put a GL-5 in the gearbox. Good luck!

#17 of 41 05 Frontier CC - differential gear oil by richbf2

Jan 04, 2009 (9:42 am)

I really enjoy reading your posts asa, very knowledgeable. I like to consult with you before deciding what to do. My frontier has 60k and running trouble free till' now. Recently, i have notice a constant rattling noise, especially when engine is cold(say, in the morning...or after a long day at work). I am thinking it's time to replace my trans fluid. After getting the trans flush package done at the dealer, the noise stops for few days and now it is back. Do you think i need to replace rear differential oil? (By the way, i have not done my 60k servicet yet. I dont think it is necessary) in my manual, it states that this truck requires GL-5 synthetic. Do i have to take it to the dealer or is it a do-it-yourself task? Thanks for your advice. God bless

#18 of 41 Re: 05 Frontier CC - differential gear oil [richbf2] by asa

Jan 04, 2009 (10:15 am)

Replying to: richbf2 (Jan 04, 2009 9:42 am)
Is your rattling noise coming from the engine or the tranny?
 
Some owners have reported failure of their timing chain tensioners, which then produces a rattle. If your dealer changed the tranny oil and it temporarily stopped the rattle, I'd ask them what gear oil they're using to be sure it's the right GL-4 75W-85 or 75W-90 for your 6-Speed. How does your clutch feel? Some owners have also reported premature clutch failures which result in a rattle.
 
You are correct that the rear differential takes a GL-5, a 75W-140 Gear Oil. I've not needed to do this servicework yet on my '06, but Nissan's rear differential casing has drain and fill plugs, which makes it easy. You'll need to seal the threads with an RTV plug sealant. Permatex Utlra Grey RTV is suggested. Tighten the plugs to 36 FT/LBS.
 
Rattles are aggravating and your sound may be coming from something other than the engine or tranny.
 
You might also want to check things in your engine bay. There's an A/C line fitting up top, close to the firewall that can loosen and rattle against the firewall. Nissan has issued a Technical Service Bulletin on this one, but your dealer might not be aware of it.
 
Good luck in your troubleshooting.

#19 of 41 2004 Frontier shift connection quit by mjwinter48

Jun 03, 2009 (4:45 pm)

My military son just bought a 2004 Frontier club cab, auto 2WD, with 70K on it. Drove from Colorado to Chicago and it worked just fine. Now, when he shifted it to D, it went to reverse, and now must be in drive, cuz it won't start (obviously not in neutral or Park) Is there a pin or something tht may have let go that connects the shifter to the tranny? Is this easily fixable or does he need a dealer or tranny shop? Can a good reputable mechanic fix it? Any ideas. He needs to get to his next duty station and is on a limited budget.

#20 of 41 2009 Frontier downshifting problem? by oralbertr

Aug 24, 2009 (6:53 pm)

#21 of 41 2009 Frontier downshifting problem? by oralbertr

Aug 24, 2009 (6:53 pm)

I have a new 2009 Frontier 4x4 V6 with auto tranny. Have a strange problem - it looks like tranny doesn't like to downshift.
 
Even at slow speed it stays in hi gear, so RPM goes down to about 1200RPM, engine looses power and starts pinging. Is there any way to re-program its ECU to make tranny willing to downshift at slow speed? I understand that it probably tries to save fuel, but I'd prefer it to be more responsive, right now it takes about two seconds after I bottom gaz pedal before it downshifts. It's not only annoying, but it could be dangerous when trying to merge or need to accelerate fast, since engine lacks torque at low RPM.
 
The other problem I have (not sure if it's related) is engine is constantly looking for idle RPM. It goes too low and starts vibrating, then increase RPMs to suppress vibration, then go too low again, and so forth.
 
It's a new truck and problem started from the beginning. I tried to reset computer a few times, but it didn't help. Tried to use hi-octane gasoline, but it didn't help either.
 
Any ideas?
 
-albertr

#22 of 41 99 Frontier gear shift pops out by thomf

Oct 07, 2009 (8:44 pm)

I have a 99 Frontier, 4x4 king cab, V6, 5 speed. In March I had the clutch replaced. Over the last month and a half the gear shift has started popping out of gear when I am sitting at an idle. It does not do this when I am driving. My shop says it might be the synchro gear but would have to drop the tranny to check it out. Oh boy. Is it possible for something else (less expensive) to be worn or out of adjustment, like something in the shifter assembly or something? Thanks

Messages Page 3 of 5

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