I have this strange problem lately. The drivetrain feels very sluggish, especially when starting from stop. I need to rev to at least 2.5kRPM to start moving on 1st. No warning lights are lit (i.e. no CEL or AT Check).
The weather has been really cold for the last month (0-20 F). Initially I thought that this is the weather and the car not warming up on short city drives, but the problem persists even when the car is fully warmed up.
I am guessing either 5AT problem or maybe LSD problem?
The car is 2004 5AT.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

Does the transmission seem like it's slipping?

 

e brake on?

 

you are using gas with octane rating of 91 and higher right?

Flash the ECU with UpRev would be my recommendation but you're in Europe so good luck finding a tuner that use it.

 

Any ideas how to tell slipping AT tranny?
Parking brake is off. I initially thought that it froze, since wheels are not moving when the car is reving.
I use 98 octane. Had no problems so far (35k miles) and frankly I do not see any connection to the problem that I'm having?

 

98 octane at the pumps?! jealous. a slipping transmission will jump revs from gear to gear, say your car's shifting from first to second, instead of smoothly shifting, it will jump up a few hundred RPM's then go into gear. honestly, check your fluids (tranny and diff), and maybe that will help a bit.

OH, and it might sound stupid, but can't gaskets crack when they get cold enough? OP, check for leaks, and fluid levels, you might just be low on fluid.

 

Check ATF per the FSM procedure, exactly. Sounds like you are low on fluid. Have you done a flush recently?

Running a couple quarts low for a few days and the clutch packs will burn out.

 

same thing happened to me. all i did was change my trans and diff fluid and it stopped

 

Based on the description, it does not look like 5AT is slipping.
I haven't checked my fluids. ATF check is a nightmare on the Z, I've never been able to figure it out.
Also, can you check diff fluid? I thought you just flush it.
Can't drive the car now anyway, since it is stuck in the snow. We've got unbelievable amounts of snow over the weekend. Don't remember that much.
98 octane is widely available at the pump in Europe, but you don't want to hear European gas prices

 

yes you can check diff fluid, at least on Z's here, can't imagine why it'd be different. easiest way is to get under the back of the car, you'll see two hex plugs on the diff housing, one on the bottom, and one almost in the middle of the diff on the side, this second one is the fill plug for a diff service, undo that plug, stick a finger in there, and look at the fluid, unfortunately there's not really a way to check level, but if you stick your finger in the diff and pull out syrup, change it.

 

That's 98 RON, not 98 R+M/2, so don't be too jealous. 98 RON is basically equivalent to our 93.

For the OP, it definitely sounds like you are low on ATF. Learn to check the ATF - it takes 10 min.

Neither the diff fluid nor the trans fluid should get "used up". They are both closed systems (unlike for motor oil). So unless it was improperly filled after a recent drain procedure or unless it's dripping onto your garage floor, both *should be* fine.

 

well now I don't feel bad, all the z drinks is 93, although i'm sure the placebo of seeing "98" and gas would make me feel better

 

Call me naive but how does the octane have to do with the tranny having to rev to 2.5k to engage?

I agree with the fluid check could be dangerously low.
OP this happened to my tranny last winter and the fluids were good. Nissan replaced my tranny.

 

Ok. Did some work on the car. The fluids were norm in both 5AT and LSD.
But the problem seems to be bigger...
It appears that the 5AT TCM somehow has entered the Safe Mode (locked in 4th gear). Obviously it is not easy start in winter on 4th gear...
I've noticed that there are no gear changes when in Manual mode (no change in revs, although it shows on a display that it is switching).
I recall several years ago somebody dealing with similar problem.
Any ideas how to reset the TCM? It must be a nightmare to replace

 

have you tried resetting the ECU? unplug the battery terminal from your car let it sit for awhile then reconnect.

 

are you sure you checked the fluid correctly?
To me it sounds like the tranny can't get warmed up properly so you are going to get bad read on the status of the fluid. I would do a drain of the fluid and check the color and fill er up again. That is going to be your best/easiest bet for a solution imo.
compare the color of your fluid to the new fluid, post pics too.

 

Something caused it to go into safe mode, do a tranny flush.
You didnt say how many miles but assuming your average of 12K per year, you
are way over due for a flush. I just hit 60K and am on my second tranny flush.
I used J-Matic the first time around but this time I used Amsoil ATF.....What a difference!