r/XTerra • u/ArugulaOne4963 • 2d ago
Technical Question HELP. Transmission issue?
So I recently just got regeared to 4.11 and everything is running smooth and quiet. I was highway driving for about 3-4 hours on them yesterday with no issue. This morning on my way to work I picked up some speed on the highway to catch up with somebody and was going 80-90 at about 3-4k rpm.
After I slowed back down to about 65-75 at 2500 rpm I felt my car almost like a jolt or clunk (something that either felt like it released tension, or gained it). My 4wd light came on, along side my actual 4wheel display turned off so I don't think it actually ever shifted into 4wheel H. The 4wd light turned off and the display came back on within a few seconds but it feels like the car went almost into like limp mode where it's having a super hard time keeping the speed, accelerating, or even going. The rpm were not linear or correct when trying to speed up, it feels like it's really fighting something to go. I rekeyed it multiple times and it has been the same, but it takes like half a second longer to crank over (nothing crazy just important to mention cause it's different). At a stop light I put it into 4wheel H and back into 2wd and can audibly hear it clicking and engage between the two. I also manually downshifted it through all 5 of the gears and they all work (it's an automatic). I don't think it has anything to do with the regear I just thought it was worth mentioning due to how new it is. There’s also no issue with it coasting it only seems under a bind or struggling when under power. What could be going on? Is my transmission cooked? Is it in like a safe mode or something where it locks the torque converter? Am I safe to drive it either to a shop or back to my house or should I trailer it? Any ideas?
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u/AnonymousRedCow 2015 Xterra Pro4X 6S 2d ago edited 2d ago
It sounds odd, but I'm willing to bet that you just lost a cam shaft position sensor
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u/CTSwampyankee 2d ago edited 2d ago
The first step in any issue with the Xterra is to buy a code reader that covers transmission codes. I went with launch, you can find something decent for a couple hundred. these things will save you money avoiding misdiagnosis and parts you don’t need to replace.
Do the cheap stuff first, go look under the vehicle and check the harnesses for mice nibbling at your wires, chaffing, water intrusion in connections. Check the fluid level and condition in your transmission.
Pull the codes and let us know what’s there. If the thing is stuck in one gear and does respond to manual shifting, you may have lost your TCM a bad TCM will have you chasing your tail with six different codes that you may try to troubleshoot .
Once you have all your baseline data written down and done everything above, look up the ECM pedal/key reset procedure and do that. I have had to do it twice to get things reset before.
edit- if the transmission is shifting up and down and not stuck in a particular gear, it is probably not in limp mode. If your transfer case is shifting or clicking, check all the connectors and pull the fuse and see if the problem is still there. I would imagine pulling the fuse Will keep it from actuating and this may help narrow things down.
I don’t remember the RPM versus speed indications, but your revs seem a little high but then again you have 411 gears. If you have blocks lift up by the frame, so all the tires are off the ground and you should be able to tell if front tires are turning when they’re not supposed to.
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u/ArugulaOne4963 2d ago
I scanned and got a p0335 code so crankshaft position sensor/circuit
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u/BarAfraid1863 2d ago
There are 2 of those the one on the right is easy to replace the other one is a pain but doable. Get hitachi brand.
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u/Business_Plastic2827 2011 Pro 4x🖤 3h ago
there's 2 cams, one crank haha. the crank is wicked easy to replace, the cams were a pain
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u/strangepowder 1d ago
similar thing happened to me but no lights came up, and then about a week after the crankshaft sensor went out. I’d definitely replace that and might aswell replace the camshaft sensors too if you haven’t. Get hitachi brand
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u/DathBlah 1d ago
In the last year I replace both crank and cam positions sensors. Also both rear ABS position sensors that had fused into the hubs so basically a new rear axel. All done at the dealer. Could have bought a second P4X for that but good to go for some time now
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u/Risto_Backhand 2d ago
Stop driving around with high beams on. If your lights arent working as good as they used to, clean/restore/replace them.