Nissan Repair: 2000 Maxima hesitation at 4K RPM, hesitation problem, air control valve

Question
Von... I have read your valuable collection of work on the 2000 Maxima w/ special interest w/ issues related to the ignition coils, MAF sensor, etc.  My Maxima just turned 102K miles & keeps me very puzzled. I just replaced the spark plugs & it started throwing the SES for the coils.  My mechanic confirmed it was two in the back & I had them replaced (genuine Nissan coils as you recommend).  Two weeks later the SES went on again for coils.  Replaced the front coils and the SES went out after the requisite cycles necessary to clear it.

However, the monster hesitation problem I have remains and has gotten worse over the last 10K+ miles.  At certain speeds, like 50mph, when I punch the gas, the car downshifts, races up to 4K RPM only to get stuck there.  The engine flattens out with absolutely no power and no movement on the tach.  It does not feel like it is misfiring at all... just completely neutered.  Only when I release the gas and endure an annoyingly long hesitation of 1-2 seconds (forever when you are passing) will the engine upshift, drop the RPM's and subsequently come under a normal power band.  In addition, I have lost the classic Maxima power pull below 2K rpm's, regardless of the gear.  It runs great from 2-4K rpm & under normal light acceleration, it will exceed 4K RPM.  My mechanic, suspecting clogged catalytic converters, put it on the dyno only to find that the exhaust flow was fine.  I have not replaced the MAF sensor or the Idle Air Control Valve because the SES is not going on indicating any issues there.  Again the mechanic seems to think if there are issues there, it will definitely throw a code.  Now he thinks there is a issue with the transmission and some sort of sensor that may be failing there and not coding for some reason.

The questions... Is the transmission or a tranny sensor the likely culprit?  Did Nissan have issues w/ the 2000's on this?  Is it worth it to replace the MAF sensor &/or the IACV even though there is no SES showing?  Is it possible I have a fuel delivery issue?  What about the electronic control system for the entire car?  Could that be the issue?

I am struggling w/ keeping the car I once so enjoyed as it frustrates me to no end.  Any help you can provide is appreciated.  Thanks in advance for your wisdom Von.

Sincerely,

Bill S.
Grapevine TX

Answer
Bill,

The 2000 Maxima had an issue with the transmission shift control computer and or the servo actuators.  basically, the transmission is computer controlled and the computer on some 2000 models screw up.  Source one from a wrecking yard and replace the computer first.  It is located down on the transmission but it is a pain to change so have the mechanic do it.  If you purchase new it will be quite expensive.