Mitchell 1 ShopConnection

SureTrack Real Fix: Shifty Business

Ross Whiteley

Real Fixes from Mitchell 1’s SureTrack® expert information resource are documented issues from actual shop repair orders and community discussions. Read on to see how SureTrack can help you correct issues that are not easily diagnosed using OEM information alone. SureTrack is currently available free in our ProDemand product.

Car not shifting properly and no codes? Is it the transmission or something else? Follow this Real Fix to see how a bad camshaft position sensor caused the transmission to not shift at the proper speed.

Vehicle
2005 Nissan Maxima SL 3.5L

Title
Transmission Does Not Shift, Replaced Camshaft Position Sensor

Complaint
The customer states the transmission does not shift.

Cause
Confirmed the customer’s complaint and found the transmission did not shift at the proper speed. Inspected the transmission fluid level and condition, but found no faults. Road tested the vehicle, used the scan tool to monitor live data and found the camshaft position sensor signal parameter intermittently dropped out. Performed a visual inspection of the camshaft position sensor and found no obvious faults. Backprobed the camshaft position sensor, ran the engine, monitored the sensor signal on a lab scope and found the camshaft position sensor signal observed on the lab scope intermittently dropped out. With the key on, engine off, used a multi-meter to measure the resistance of the camshaft position sensor circuit by disconnecting the control component connector and probed the respective connector terminals. Found the measured resistance was within specifications, which indicated there was continuity through the camshaft position sensor and the camshaft position sensor circuit. These test results verified the camshaft position sensor was faulty.

Correction
Replaced the camshaft position sensor and verified the vehicle operated properly. The customer’s concern did not return.

SureTrack® adds to the power of ProDemand® with an exclusive combination of expert knowledge and detailed parts replacement records, all wrapped in an interactive community. Designed to help automotive shops increase accuracy and efficiency from diagnosis to completed repair, the industry’s most comprehensive repair information resource is just a few clicks away.

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