I have a 2003 350z touring edition with the 6 speed manual transmission. It seems like my car wont rev up past 4k rpm in first gear. If I take it up to 4k it sounds like the motor is working way too hard. It also seems like first gear is in some sort of "limp mode". Every other gear acts fine though. Any idea what the problem could be?

 

throwing any cel?

 

Nope, currently there's no CEL on. However right after I bought the car which was about 2 months ago I had a CEL come on which turned out to be a misfire on cylinder 3 and that activated the knock sensor. I replaced all the spark plugs and the coil pack on cylinder 3 and got someone at autozone to clear the CEL light and it hasn't been on since then.

 

What the? Have you taken it to a Nissan dealer? They may charge you but they are going to know what is going on better than a second hand shop... Also, did the owner before you adjust the rev limiter? There are certain tuning chips that will allow you to adjust that...

 

Yeah I took it to a Nissan dealer about a month ago for the CEL. They told me about the misfire. I would have mentioned the 4k rpm problem but I didn't realize it was doing that at the time. As far as the previous owner I'm not sure if he adjusted anything. Everything else on the car is stock.

 

I'm thinking it has to have something to due with the knock sensor. I'm just not sure why it isn't still throwing a CEL if that's the problem.

 

It sounds like another problem developed after the dealership checked it.

 

Was the car modded in any way? Uprev map switch ?

 

^^^ that's what I'm thinking. Maybe some "2 step" module or "launch control" of some sort

 

Map switch would make all gears stuck at 4k rpm not just first, I have it on my car and the launch... ahhh

But anyways, did you ever get this solved? I'm curious to know what caused it

 

This is exactly what is happening with my Z. It feels like the automatic transmission is making a really weird sound sometimes in first gear.

Usually, first gear sounds strong and deep... it growls. But when this issue starts, first gear sound like the engine is over revving even though the rpm gauge is not out of range. It sounds like the car is struggling.

If I push the accelerator like normal, it will shift around 2500-2700 rpm. If I really ease into 2nd gear, it will shift around 1800 rpm. Either way, it makes this weak sound. The engine sounds like it is running at high rpm. It also feels weaker.

All of the other gears are strong. Any ideas?