Been driving the Z for a whole two days now and I'm a bit concerend about the auto box, it doesn't seem to change up and down when I expect it too, and under full welly it runs into the red and doesnt change up till I relax the throttle, now i know i'm new to the Z but is that normal or is it something that a good service will cure as the beast had been standing for almost a year????

 

Please don't tell me my Z is F**Ked

Hi matt need a bit more info, is it an import and if it is is the threee position switch in sport, if not and its a Uk spec wher are the change points and alos check that the previous owner may of fitted a HKS line convertor, will be fitted under the passenger footwell piggy backed (sort of) to the auto box ecu, these do change the gear shift charactoristics.Failing all that an auto box service may be required

Jeff TT

Hi Matt, to be perfectly honest most of them do it! Mine does the same thing to the letter as you described. I've been in AndyP's import and his auto seemed alot crisper and changed faster, smoother and when you'd expect it to.

 

I had an auto Supra before the Z and that used to change on the dime. But when I got my Z I thought the auto was a confused little baby...LOL

 

I'm pretty much used to mine now and accept it as being part of the Z character!

 

However, I have heard of people having problems with the autobox controller which has been found to be the problem.

 

Trust me, yer car ain't KO'd.

 

 

 

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Hi Jeff,

 

The Z is an import with 1 2 D and the normal Power/Hold button (of much mystery) not sure about the add-ons although it has after market pipes but no after market filter as far as I can see, also I have noticed when I floor it the ‘Power’ light comes on for a bit regardless of the switched position….

 

Any clues?

 

P.S. mine was the same before and is the same after having the box rebuilt around Crimbo time so that rules out the autobox service that Jeff suggested.

 

 

 

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ours is an import auto, but theres no point in me telling you that cos i dont know if it does that. I wouldnt know cos I cant drive thus have no idea how the box shifts. But I have never noticed that happening when my dad has been driving, but he doesnt thrash it that much cos it scares trhe sh*t out of him in the wet with dodgy as s**t tyres, cant imagine why though i think its great fun heading sideways high speed

 

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also I have noticed when I floor it the ‘Power’ light comes on for a bit regardless of the switched position….

 

That is normal mate, the box senses your in a bit of a hurry so puts you in power mode(shift point moves up the rev range) till you relax the accel'

Trev

Thanks for that,

 

Also my 'Lights' light comes on when I brake, this maybe another daft question but should that happen? I used to own a Jag that did sort of the same thing but it ment a bulb had gone somewhere (after much serching it was one above the licence plate..)

yes the light will come on when you brake and its sounds like you may have an hks alc like mine it will let you stay in the gear longer into the rev range and to shift up just lift a little and it will go up

Hi Matt,

I was having the same problems (erratic changing, refusal to change up on full throttle) and my gearbox just packed up!.

Is your box a reconditioed unit?, it could be the solenoids are clogged, I'd recommend you bring it to an auto-trans specialist and have it looked at, just for peace of mind.

Cheers Tooley,

 

Where abouts can I find the HKS ALC thingy, I'd like to know whats in me motor...

I have one too.

Lift the carpet in the passenger footwell and unscrew the wooden floorboard (still amazes me Nissan used a piece of wood!)

You will see it plugged in to one of the left hand side silvery metal boxes if it's there.

Mine is a small black box about 4"x3" with HKS in big green letters.

 

 

So can I remove this beasty if I wish? and what will happen if I do, will my car blow up and kill me or will the box go back to normal?

Matt you can take the ALC off if you want. I would disconnect the battery for an hour or so to reset the ECU though. Just for peace of mind!

 

 

 

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Cool,

 

I might just try it to see which way round I like it - before i get too used to it.

 

I think the first thing to do is give it a very good service, replace all fluids etc, is there anything I should pay particular attention to? I have a very good garage that I trust and know the owner well...

Does anyone use the HOLD option on the AT? If so what is it supposed to do? I have guessed it being usefull for dragging and thats it?

Originally posted by jvnewcomb1961:

Does anyone use the HOLD option on the AT? If so what is it supposed to do? I have guessed it being usefull for dragging and thats it?

 

Its great for driving around in muddy fields. It tries to use the highest gear possible, and doesn't use 1st gear unless shift lever is in 1 position. I also use it on motorways, to stop it changing down and screaming the nads off the engine when I accelerate to overtake a Nova. I've heard its supposed to be used for towing as well as it smooths out the gearchanges (not sure why you'd want to bypass 1st gear when towing though). I used to use it in the wet, to stop the back end snaking all over the place but I have Bridgestone S03s now

 

 

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An ALC will not help this problem. Providing the gears are not slipping then 99% to be the LINE PRESSURE SOLENOID!!! £110 plus fitting.

 

I had my auto box box fully recon'd with new internals etc and I still had exactly the same problem. It was the line pressure solenoid. This is more common than people think. The entire gear change characteristics changed for the better when it was replaced.

 

Good luck

 

Andy

Anders,

 

That sounds a bit nasty? is that something simple to do oor is it a main dealer job.

 

Matt

The "lights" warning light shouldn't normally come on when you brake, unless you have had some of the rear lights rigged up as fog lights to pass the MOT..then it will every time you touch the brakes. .