Nissan Repair: Nissan auto tranny problems, nissan pathfinder, auto tranny

Question
Von,

I have a 95 Nissan Pathfinder XE V6 4WD with an auto tranny problem (I think). For the last few months, on cold mornings, the transmission will not go into 1st gear when you put the selector into "D". It only gives me 3rd. It does not downshift when you brake. You can bury the pedal and it will not downshift into a lower gear to accelerate. The overdrive will not engage either.
This problem seems only to happen in the mornings. In the afternoon, after sitting in the sun, it seems to run fine.
I have had a professional mechanic run a diagnostic on it and it came back with no codes to indicate a problem. I also had it flushed and the fluid was a little burnt but not bad and no metal.
I'm so frustrated with it at this point I don't know what to do. Is it possible that this is not a tranny problem at all? Maybe a computer or performance problem? Please help.

Chris

Answer
Chris,

Take it to a place that has a scanner that does Nissan vehicles.  When a Nissan automatic screws up it locks itself into third gear to keep from trashing the rest of the transmission.  So, the computer has put it in third and it will not let it out until the condition is corrected.  The electronic servo;s could be defective or the contoller could be going out.  The only way to know is have someone with a Consult II scan tool or the like.  I would go to Cottman Transmissions first and ask the question and let them know it the computer has locked the transmission in third and they should be able to diagnose it.  Nissan could to but it would be more money.  If it is the servo pack and computer you are looking at somewhere arouns $1000.  it would be higher if there is internal damage.