Kinda new to this forum. Not mechanical so I apologize for a lame description. 2003 350z automatic, has stuck with me thru 185K mi. Today, when I tried to accelerate from a stop, the car hesitated before jerking forward. Got it home ok then took it back out and hesitation getting worse, even heard a thump after the car jerked forward. Kinda fear coming to a stop. Got home second time and the SES light came on. Help! Love this damn car - hope it's not coming to a timely end.

 

first thing to do is check what code does the SES light is throwing, a cheap OBD2 scanner will do, or if its still safe to drive it, go to your nearest pep boys or advance autoparts so they will read it for you, check if they are still doing this for free first.

 

Thanks pr, I appreciate the reply. It threw a P1759 but the dealer gave me a harsher diagnosis/death sentence involving the tranny and radiator. Then after delivering that news, they walked me over to the sales guys who stood me in front of cars costing $40K+. I don't really trust dealers so I found my friends at Project X and will have the car towed to them to give it a proper second opinion. Trans work sounds horrific but they know what they're doing so I'm sure whatever they say will be less than $40K.

 

oh I see, probably the best you did was get your car to a better shop. I did a quick search on that code you sent, and there is a service bulletin from nissan themselves for 2003-2010 A/T transmissions, you should check that out, not sure but maybe nissan might have to pay for it(not sure if this is the same as recalls). Best of luck to you!

 

good luck! Used tranny swap way less than 40k

 

I really appreciate all your help and glad to know there are so many others who love their Z's. Never had a car that's been as reliable as this one. While I know most use this as their summer vehicle, mine is all year round. Chad, that's what I'm thinking if tranny, used. Heard radiator isn't all that expensive.

 

I don't think the radiator failures apply to the Z but if they do you can just open the radiator cap (when cold) and if it looks milky you have a problem. There are some you tube videos of the aftermath. If the radiator flails your transmission fluid mixes with your coolant any you will need a new radiator and transmission. If the transmission is slipping arguably you got a good life out of it. Automatic transmissions, contrary to popular belief, are not designed to last forever and will ware out but with regular fluid changes can live for a long time.

 

Don't trust the dealer. I used to work for one and quit after I saw what they did in the back office.

 

@rancor, now I'm curious enough to go to YouTube. For certain, 185K is great mileage for any car so I'm lucky given my lack of mechanical sense. I did stop driving the car after the diagnostic report so having it towed to PX tomorrow - just to be safe.
@oldschool, I'm with you all the way...

 

Ok so maybe I shouldn't have looked. One YouTube video later and I know where my radiator cap is. Not good, right?

 

Yep looks like your ATF and coolant mixed and killed the transmission. I didn't think this happened to 350Zs, so ether you are very unlucky or more cars will start to fail as the mileage climes. I hope you get it fixed if the car is worth it to you.

 

buy a used one and have someone slap it in, swap radiator and you will be back on the road.

http://www.autopartsfair.com/nissan-...12f4&seq_num=4

http://www.slidegood.com/nissan/350z...ansmission-47k

 

@rancor and travlee, car is on a flatbed to PX and they already found me a used tranny & radiator. It might come alive again. Then I get to ask the forum, what is your next car after a Z? Not seeing anything that makes my heartbeat skip.

 

look at my avatar and sig......

 

Odd that you point out the Corvette - the Chevy dealer did try to put me in one back when I was shopping for my Z. I've always felt, and maybe it's just me, that the Corvette is a man's car.

 

IT'S ALIVE!!!! Didn't realize how much I missed driving my Z till the team at Project X put me back in it today. They worked OT to get it done. I love these guys!!! Such a happy customer!!

 

awesome! what was the OTD price for this? Mileage on used tranny?

 

Sorry was zipping across the IL/IN border while trying to avoid red & blue lights. 750, 85