Rebel88 Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 First pathfinder I've owned need a little help. Im having a problem i get to about 20-25mph and my rpms shoot up to 5k and it wont go any faster. Bought it for $900 Going to school for automotive. Its an automatic 4x4 guy i bought it from was sketchy to say the least I was very excited about it took it through a mud hole and had no problems. the problem stated above only started occuring after i towed my fiances highboy across town. not my best idea. anyways go easy on me i just need a little bit of help i really love the pathfinder and would like it to run i have big plans for it. 169k miles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terranovation Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 To the best of my knowledge this could be a simple MAF fix. On your air filter housing should be a black box held on with two screws. Undo this gently because the screws have a tendency to break from what I've read. Inside this box you'll find delicate wires. This is all to do with your MAF (Mass Air Flow sensor) Clean these wires with carby spray or electronic spray. Do not bend or touch the wires or otherwise break them! Reassemble the box back into it's housing and you should be golden. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5523Pathfinder Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 First of all, pathfinder transmissions don't like heat! Be very weary about towing heavy things on just a factory transmission. A aftermarket trans fluid cooler is a must. Second, what does the transmission fluid look like? How does it smell? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamzan Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 Sounds like its slipping when trying to go into 3rd gear. If the fluid looks like @!*% change it, but I suspect your trans is done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel88 Posted September 29, 2015 Author Share Posted September 29, 2015 I havent drained the trans fluid nor do i know if its ever been drained. So im thinking ill do that tomorrow. Also do not know how to go about changing the fluid filter. or even what it looks like. took it to aamco they asked $2600 for a tranny rebuild said they thought 2nd gear was going out. I obviously had some choice words for them on that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel88 Posted September 29, 2015 Author Share Posted September 29, 2015 Also it does not always do this. after shutting it off it will go back to being fine but it did it twice today. so this has led me to believe its a trans problem. ive gotten so many different answers just around town that I need an opinion or solution from someone who knows the vehicle more than i do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel88 Posted September 29, 2015 Author Share Posted September 29, 2015 Don't know if there's a way to post pics but I just got under it and the bottom of the tranny looks as if it's leaking trans fluid. Don't know the proper term but where you remove the pan it's covered in trans fluid the fluid is red and thin. I'm assuming good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel88 Posted September 29, 2015 Author Share Posted September 29, 2015 So update on this situation. I had the pathfinder in OD when i towed my fiances Highboy its a 74 so very heavy. Also I made a mistake on the actual mph. Its slipping going from 1st to 2nd. I will check for punctured lines tomorrow It does have an aftermarket cooler installed. (thanks to you're amazing forums i was able to figure that out.) At 10 mph its shooting up to 4-5k and acting like its in neutral. I also believe that whoever drained the trans fluid last did a terrible job of it as the pan is covered in trans fluid on the outside. I believe i may need to replace the gasket. I took it around the neighborhood with OD off and it was running a little better. max speed i went was 35 the issue is persisting though. I'm really hoping someone can give me some good news as far as not having to replace or rebuild my trans. As im a pretty broke college student. The trans fluid is light pink although i believe it may be a little low its not pink all the way up to the checkered part of the dip. Also I'd like to thank everyone trying to help me with this issue and putting up with my inexperience. I also apologize for the amount im posting but ive wanted this rig since i was 15. I have not checked the MAF I will also do that tomorrow. and update as to the situation. I have pictures of the fluid pan exterior but have no idea how to post them so if anyone can advise me on how to post pictures Id appreciate it. Maybe posting pictures will give someone a better idea as to whats actually going on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingman Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 Warm it up and check the fluid with the engine running in neutral. I'm assuming you're doing it that way but just making sure. It may be just be low. If it is add a half a quart of ATF at a time until it's between the cold and hot marks then take it for a drive. You could also try tightening the pan bolts, might take care of the leak. Besides a bad trans, a filter that isn't seated properly will suck air and cause some serious slipping. If all fails you may want to start looking for a trans. But given you used it for example heavy towing it may have simply done it in... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terranovation Posted September 30, 2015 Share Posted September 30, 2015 To do a proper trans fluid level check, drive for 20 minutes so trans is fully warmed up, check the fluid level with the vehicle on flat surface, gear in 'P' and engine is running. Check the fluid is within the HOT mark on the dipstick. You can use Dexron III ATF although in the service manual it says II but III is fine. Do not use DEXRON IV or anything else. I would start by giving the bottom of the trans pan a good decrease and wipe off with an old rag, go for a drive for 10 or so minutes then see where it's coming from. Maybe like you said the previous owner put the gasket on the wrong way or didn't use sealant? Maybe they overtighten it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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