shifter problems

PossumValleyTitan · 08-21-2007, 11:57 AM

Just back from the dealership for another visit about my shifter, and I'm baffled / annoyed enough to write it up (not the dealership, the glitch). I'll try to give the condensed version --

Symptoms: Several weeks ago my shifter started to intermittently malfunction (2004 SE column shift, BTW). When I would shift to Park the little 'box' on the display would disappear, and then the truck would not start. Push in the brake and shift back and forth, the box would reappear around P and the truck would start, or I could start in N. Seemed to be happening after warmup, or maybe just on hot days -- not predictably, though. Also seemed to be increasing in frequency, so I took it in to the shop.

Fixes ... make that: Attempted Fixes: To condense this, the first fix was to replace the valve body, which solved the shifter P-R-N-D glitch but then I noticed (the next day) that the thumb shifter wouldn't work. So back I go, they replace the replacement valve body, still no thumb shifter. The next visit gets a new thumb shifter switch then a unified meter (the whole instrument cluster). Tech is still not getting signal through the system, the thumb shifter doesn't work, and they are baffled. They called Nissan 'tech line' and got some things to try, so back I go today. Tech, me, and others getting frustrated and now he's trying to trace out wiring to see if there is a fault. I pointed out that the thumb shifter worked before the first fix, they changed one part, and it quit -- seemed unlikely that there would be a wiring problem that just coincidentally happened at the same time. So they found my original part (hadn't been shipped off yet, fortunately), plug it in and voila -- thumb shifter works! (the old valve body could be plugged in with the external connector without having to drop the trans pan). So he put my dash back together and I got back to work, and they are following up with Nissan to point out there is some problem with the replacement part no. for the valve body, or some electronics in it, or manufacturing/design defect, or ... ?

Outlook: I have the 100K-mile warranty (thankfully, since valve bodies cost $1100) so I will get this fixed ... eventually.

I didn't find anything when searching from anyone else who has experienced this -- anyone else had these symptoms?

To be continued ...

Treebasher · 08-21-2007, 12:51 PM

I had the instrument cluster replaced because the odometer numbers were not readable. The numbers did not light up properly. The gear indicator 'box' was over the proper gear but there were faint 'boxes' around other gears too. Also, the 4X4 indicator did not highlight the rear wheels anymore. I didn't had any issues with the truck not starting or the thumb shifter. Since the cluster was replaced, it's been fine.

I'm curious, when they put in the gauge cluster was the mileage set to when they ordered the cluster? For me, it was six weeks between the time the cluster was ordered and when I got it installed(dealer lost it). I had driven quite a few miles(a little over 3,000) in that time but the new cluster mileage was set to the mileage the truck was at when the cluster was ordered...bonus! That was about 3,000 miles of extra warranty coverage and it was used.

PossumValleyTitan · 08-21-2007, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Treebasher

...
I'm curious, when they put in the gauge cluster was the mileage set to when they ordered the cluster? For me, it was six weeks between the time the cluster was ordered and when I got it installed(dealer lost it). I had driven quite a few miles(a little over 3,000) in that time but the new cluster mileage was set to the mileage the truck was at when the cluster was ordered...bonus! That was about 3,000 miles of extra warranty coverage and it was used.

I had not thought about that - I had a slight (~100 mi) discrepancy in my mileage log but I thought I must have written it down wrong. The part came in while my truck was in the shop, so no bonus miles for me.

PossumValleyTitan · 09-10-2007, 03:12 PM

UPDATE:

The Titan is back in the shop, again. The "correct" part was ordered, installed ... and didn't work. So I left the truck while I'm on a business trip (dealership provided ride to airport), and they will work on it.

A couple of questions: The tech said there have been >50 revisions to the part since 2004 ... does that seem possible? He showed me the box the latest version came in - there was a sticker over the part no. with a different part no., and neither number matched the one printed on the part itself.

Next, who should I be ready to vent to? The tech? He's at least as frustrated as I am. The Service Advisor? A really nice guy, working hard to keep me informed, but he's just the messenger. Somebody else at the dealership? All have been polite, sympathetic, etc. Nissan?

The saga continues...

TallTexan · 09-12-2007, 02:34 PM

Welcome to my world. Finding answers sometimes is like pulling teeth .

PossumValleyTitan · 09-16-2007, 07:22 PM

Finally got my Titan back to correct working condition.

I took it in last Monday, they installed the "correct" valve body and ... the thumb shifter didn't work. So they gave me a ride to the airport and kept the truck. The service advisor called Thursday and said it was fixed. Apparently this was a real detective job to figure out which valve body revision goes with which symptoms. The parts manager didn't have confidence this was the right one, but was glad when it worked. After all, this was the fourth one that's been tried.

Howcum Nissan can't match the correct part to the VIN of the truck it is going on?

huntersgreen · 11-21-2007, 03:44 PM

well AT LEAST YOUR SHIFTER on the colum didnt break off! Mines been hauled to the shop, and I am scarred of what the costs are going to be on this, for my '04.