Cvt Stepper Motor

[dodes47]

Hi Guys

Really should have bought a manual..

My GT8 has been a total pain in the butt ever since the transmission played up. Sudden jerks and loss of power happened some time ago which lead me to believe the oil needed to be replaced.

After an oil change about three months ago everything was good, until the same exact problem appeared again. But this time a simple restart of the engine couldn't fix it. The car would be driving literally stuck in first gear and won't shift. The only way to get it going again is to leave it to cool before i can drive it again.

So I got a scan tool, checked if there was any error code logged and found nothing. But this time the cvt light in my dash flashed about 16 times when I restart the engine. After consulting a cvt specialist and googling around, it might be the stepper motor. Where the heck can I buy this part from? Is this a common part you can get from Nissan?

I understand that there's not that many gt8 owners here. But I also posted this hoping to discourage people from getting a gt8. Don't get me wrong, it's a fantastic car! You just gotta make sure you got the cash and time (I lack both) if something goes wrong with it.

Sorry for the long post and the whinge.

Really should have bought a manual..

[Love350GT]

the transmission problem occur in gt8s is common but sadly not many parts you can find in australia I think. My friend got a gt8 before and the cvt was gone.. I think he replace it to the normal 5 speed transmission for $3000 or something close to that...can't remember.. Anyway, good luck.

[Ant]

Try getting in touch with these guys in NZ - I think they're about the only ones south of Japan who can claim to be experts on the GT8 CVT:

http://www.cvt.co.nz/

[dodes47]

Yep, already been communicating back and forth with the guys in NZ.

I read through the workshop manual and learned how to pull a code off the TCM without a scan tool. It returned a few errors including Oil Temp Sensor fault.

Anyways, the car is going in for a full diagnostic and a major service at Fabcar soon. Fingers crossed.I'll let you guys know how it all goes.

[VNS 24]

Yep, already been communicating back and forth with the guys in NZ.

I read through the workshop manual and learned how to pull a code off the TCM without a scan tool. It returned a few errors including Oil Temp Sensor fault.

Anyways, the car is going in for a full diagnostic and a major service at Fabcar soon. Fingers crossed.I'll let you guys know how it all goes.

Good luck and let us know how it goes and how much it sets you back.

I bought my coupe from Fabcar and I only go to them for my servicing and maintainence as they always do a good job.

Do you know Nick from Fabcar? He has a silver V35 coupe and a enthusiastic owner as well...very friendly guy.

[austingtir]

Am i missing something here why dont you take it to Nissan for a diagnostic? Surely for them to plug in the consult and and assuming it will tell them whats wrong wont take very long = not to much $$$?

Whereas at any other outfit they would be using generic scan tools which may or may not work...= them taking guesses = costing more money...... unless this fabcar outfit specialises in Nissan?

The oil temp sensor fault sounds like it could be part of or is the solution as the gt8 cvt has a pretty big cooling system on it which probably includes a temp sensor somewhere.

If the temp sensor went out for the cvt it may not like that at all.... dunno...

[VNS 24]

Am i missing something here why dont you take it to Nissan for a diagnostic? Surely for them to plug in the consult and and assuming it will tell them whats wrong wont take very long = not to much $$$?

Whereas at any other outfit they would be using generic scan tools which may or may not work...= them taking guesses = costing more money...... unless this fabcar outfit specialises in Nissan?

The oil temp sensor fault sounds like it could be part of or is the solution as the gt8 cvt has a pretty big cooling system on it which probably includes a temp sensor somewhere.

If the temp sensor went out for the cvt it may not like that at all.... dunno...

Mate, taking Nissan car to Nissan place can work out ok as well. I just reckoned Fabcar is a better choise because:

1). Fabcar specialises in import/performance cars and pretty sure Doddy's GT8 is not the first they have dealt with.

2). From my experience, I prefer Fabcar than Nissan, especially with V35.

Months ago, my window motor broke and Fabcar was going to fix it. But I took it to Nissan just for fun, parked the car out the front and talked to the guys of "Nissan" about the problem. I showed my car parked outside, pointed to it and said "There is my car.". They said "What is that car? I have never seen that car before. Is that a new Skyline after or before R35 GTR? blah blah."

So yeah. Stuff that I am not giving my keys to someone who don't even know what car until they look at my unshaved boot.

I am not refering to all Nissan though. But in Perth, there are not many options.

That's my experience.

Edited October 24, 2010 by Victor.T

[austingtir]

Mate, taking Nissan car to Nissan place can work out ok as well. I just reckoned Fabcar is a better choise because:

1). Fabcar specialises in import/performance cars and pretty sure Doddy's GT8 is not the first they have dealt with.

2). From my experience, I prefer Fabcar than Nissan, especially with V35.

Months ago, my window motor broke and Fabcar was going to fix it. But I took it to Nissan just for fun, parked the car out the front and talked to the guys of "Nissan" about the problem. I showed my car parked outside, pointed to it and said "There is my car.". They said "What is that car? I have never seen that car before. Is that a new Skyline after or before R35 GTR? blah blah."

So yeah. Stuff that I am not giving my keys to someone who don't even know what car until they look at my unshaved boot.

I am not refering to all Nissan though. But in Perth, there are not many options.

That's my experience.

Im intrested to hear what the problem ends up being and its cool that the standard diagnostic procedure in the (i assume USA manual) has worked to some degree in telling you there is likely a oil temp sensor out.

Edited October 24, 2010 by austingtir

[dodes47]

Agreed. I tried talking to a Nissan dealer here and they failed to gain my confidence.

Then i tried Fabcar, more than half their car on the lot is V35s with some GT8s. They guy was friendly and helpful on the phone. After a lengthy discussion he referred me straight away to Robin T at Wangara, a CVT specialist. They said if Robin can't fix it no one can

So i'm getting the car towed on Monday and we'll see how we go from there. I put aside $5000 to fix this problem. I hope it won't be more than that, as i'm sure now that it's merely a sensor problem not the stepper motor. And i'm also hoping that the parts can be purchased from Nissan Australia.

So wish me luck guys, i'll keep all of you posted.

Cheers

[VNS 24]

Good luck again Doddy.

Let us know how things go.

[austingtir]

$5000 you could easily put a 350z manual in it. Actually it would likely be alot less than that if you did it yourself.

I dont know about over there but here in NZ the 6 speed sedans are worth ALOT more than the gt8.

You would come close to braking even then.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-325668766.htm

Whatever the problem is dont spend anymore than 1500 on it imo..... if i had to spend anymore than that on the cvt it would be heading for the skip bin and get manualised.

For a simple temp sensor you shouldnt be looking at more than $500 total cost unless its some gold plated cvt sensor.

Us CVT guys need to start recording these problems and documenting everything as the sooner WE figure out the problems with these transmissions the less its going to cost us all in the long run.

Edited October 24, 2010 by austingtir

[dodes47]

I just had the car towed to Wangara. The place is called technical transmission and the guys name is Robin.

We had a bit of a chat and he's sounds pretty confident. I asked him whether he had worked on a gt8 before and he pulled out a huge skyline gt8 workshop manual! I've never seen anything like it it's got the cvt transmission diagram to the smallest bits.

So I'm pretty happy with that. I hope it turns out good. Will keep yous updated

[austingtir]

I just had the car towed to Wangara. The place is called technical transmission and the guys name is Robin.

We had a bit of a chat and he's sounds pretty confident. I asked him whether he had worked on a gt8 before and he pulled out a huge skyline gt8 workshop manual! I've never seen anything like it it's got the cvt transmission diagram to the smallest bits.

So I'm pretty happy with that. I hope it turns out good. Will keep yous updated

Thats awesome..... distract him and steal or photo copy it!!!!

Out of intrest... it was in japanese correct?

Edited October 25, 2010 by austingtir

[dodes47]

Thats awesome..... distract him and steal or photo copy it!!!!

Out of intrest... it was in japanese correct?

Hahaha! i don't think he'll let it out of his sight long enough for that. Yes, it was all in japanese. He said he's got a customer from japan that's gonna help him translate it. Sorted.. I hope

[VNS 24]

Yes, it was all in japanese. He said he's got a customer from japan that's gonna help him translate it. Sorted.. I hope

Oh my, I hope the translation go well.

[dodes47]

Ok, after a week sitting in the tranny shop, they couldn't figure out what's causing the problem. They checked the speed and temperature sensors, nothing. Opened the transmission and checked everything mechanical, nothing. They wanted to keep the car for further testing, but they're taking their sweet time with it i can't afford to hire a car for another week.

Drove it home, boom, it happened again. It was shifting harshly then got stuck in limp home mode all the way . I've been on the net all day trying to figure this out and came across a service bulettin for 03 G35s. I feel like i'm on to something here.

My symptoms are pretty much the same. Transmission shifts erratically, the same codes are stored (p1710 etc). They mentioned the only fix is to replace the TCM. I shot an email to the guys at cvt.co.nz to ask if they can get some. In the meantime, any of you guys know where i can get one?

I'm at the end of my wits with this car, and i can't even sell it at this condition

ITB02_074a.pdf

[180 wanabe]

Might be easier to wave the white flag and drop in the 5 speed auto or the 6 speed manual

Ull probaly get better resale with any trans other than the CVT in the car!

[rx3ip]

I just bought the gt-8 because it has 8 speed box , otherwise I'll never consider buying it .. bought it last week from a dealer in Brisbane and hope don't have much problem with the box .. E36 M3 also has lots of problem with the SMG and cost about $8k to fix

Dodes47 please let us know the outcome

[dodes47]

Might be easier to wave the white flag and drop in the 5 speed auto or the 6 speed manual

Ull probaly get better resale with any trans other than the CVT in the car!

Even it is possible i don't think it's as easy as it sounds. What about the ECU,TCM and harnesses? I'm gonna have to replace those as well right? Not to mention the amount of time it would take to tackle a project that big. Not worth the effort i say. Although..it would be nice

I just bought the gt-8 because it has 8 speed box , otherwise I'll never consider buying it .. bought it last week from a dealer in Brisbane and hope don't have much problem with the box .. E36 M3 also has lots of problem with the SMG and cost about $8k to fix

Dodes47 please let us know the outcome

Congrats on the purchase. Just make sure you check the condition of the CVT fluid soon. If it needs replacing, do it. Forking out $1500 now is a lot better than copping huge bills later. That said, i'm 100% sure now that my problem is electrical. Not mechanical. The shitty part is finding out what. Right now, after eliminating dozens of possible causes, TCM malfunction is my no.1 suspect.

I'm taking the car for a full service at Fabcar next week and hopefully I'll make some progress..somehow.

I'll keep yous posted.

Doddy

[austingtir]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-328966931.htm

Im pretty sure they have sold the cvt boxes a long time ago but you might get lucky and they may have a cvt ecu...dunno.

Possibly contact an ecu specialist.. i think plms developments over there may be able to help but not sure if they do anything other than engine ecu's.

Edited November 2, 2010 by austingtir