Classification:

Reference:

AT16-020l

Date:

NTB17-039l

December 23, 2020

PATHFINDER, ALTIMA, MAXIMA, MURANO AND QUEST;
CVT JUDDER AND DTC P17F0 OR P17F1 STORED
This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page.
Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.

2013-2018 Altima (L33)
2015-2019 Murano (Z52)
2016-2019 Maxima (A36)
APPLIED TRANSMISSION: CVT with V6 engine only
APPLIED VEHICLE:

2013-2019 Pathfinder (R52)
2015-2017 Quest (E52)

IF YOU CONFIRM
The customer reports a transmission judder (shake, shudder, single or multiple bumps or
vibration),
AND
One of these DTCs is stored:
 P17F0 (CVT_JUDDER (T/M INSPECTION))
 P17F1 (CVT_JUDDER (C/U INSPECTION))
NOTE:
 If a transmission judder (as described above) is not reported, this bulletin
does not apply.
 If either P17F0 or P17F1 are not stored, this bulletin does not apply.
 If any DTCs are stored other than P17F0 or P17F1, this bulletin does not
apply.
 NTB15-014, Enhanced Diagnostic Logic For CVT Judder, has reprogramming
instructions that may apply.
ACTION


Refer to the Repair Flow Chart on page 2 for CVT repair.
CAUTION: Always handle the CVT and component assemblies carefully and with
the appropriate lifting tools.

IMPORTANT: The purpose of ACTION (above) is to give you a quick idea of the work you
will be performing. You MUST closely follow the entire SERVICE PROCEDURE as it
contains information that is essential to successfully completing this repair.
Nissan Bulletins are intended for use by qualified technicians, not 'do-it-yourselfers'. Qualified technicians are
properly trained individuals who have the equipment, tools, safety instruction, and know-how to do a job
properly and safely. NOTE: If you believe that a described condition may apply to a particular vehicle, DO
NOT assume that it does. See your Nissan dealer to determine if this applies to your vehicle.
1/115

Repair Flow Chart
Customer reports
transmission judder (shake, shudder,
single or multiple bumps or vibration).

DTC P17F0 or P17F1
found stored

P17F0 DTC

P17F1 DTC

No

 Remove the control valve
(valve body). Page 7.

This bulletin
does not apply
Refer to ASIST for further
diagnostic information.

 Perform CVT Chain
Inspection. Page 9.*

No

The CVT chain
checks out OK

a. Remove the control valve

Yes

(valve body). Page 7.
And then
b. Replace the sub-assembly.

Page 16.
c. Install new valve body.

Page 85.

a. Replace the subassembly Page 16.
And then
b. Install new valve body.
Page 85.

Install new valve
body only.
Page 85.

Check TCM part number
and if needed, perform reprogramming.
Step 167 on page 93.
IMPORTANT: Reprogramming, if needed, must
be done before performing additional services.

Perform ADDITIONAL SERVICE WHEN
REPLACING CONTROL VALVE. Page 99.

* DO NOT perform the CONSULT-III plus
CVT INSPECTION test. This is no longer accepted for warranty repairs.
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NTB17-039l

Table of Contents

 Required Tools / Materials...…………………………………………………….…

page 4

 Essential Tools………………………………………………………………….…..

page 4

 Weights…………………………………………………………………………...….

page 5

 Precautions when Disassembling a CVT Assembly………………………...….

page 6

 Control Valve (Valve Body) Removal …………………………...……………….

page 7

 CVT Chain Inspection……………………………………………………………...

page 9

 CVT Assembly Removal..................................................................................

page 16

 Remove the Converter Housing, Oil Seals, Oil Pump Cover, Oil Pump and Oil
Filter……………………………………………………………………………...

page 19

 Verify Thrust Bearing Type 1 or Type 2………………………………………….

page 25

 Clean the CVT Case Surfaces…..………………………………………………..

page 28

 Clean the Oil Passages in the CVT Case, Oil Pump Cover, and CVT Filter
Area………………………………………………………………………………….

page 29

 New Oil Pump Installation…………………….…………………………………..

page 31

 Replace the Side Cover – Pulleys and Chain (sub-assembly)………………..

page 33

 Remove Side Cover and Install Lubrication Caps.………………..……………

page 48

 Type 1 CVT: Clutch Total Endplay Adjustment – Thrust Bearing Selection…

page 62

 Type 2 CVT: Clutch Total Endplay Adjustment – Bearing Race Selection…..

page 67

 Clean the Torque Converter Housing, Dummy Cover Passages and Baffle
Plates ………………………………………..………………………………………

page 75

 CVT Reassembly…………………………………………………………………...

page 77

 Control Valve (Valve Body) Strainer and Pan Installation……………………...

page 85

 Install the CVT Assembly………………………………………………………….

page 91

 TCM Reprogramming………………………………………………………………

page 92

 Troubleshooting……………………………………………………………………

page 105

 PARTS INFORMATION……………………………………………………………

page 107

 Parts Kits Reference Table…………………....................................................

page 119

 CLAIMS INFORMATION…………………………………………………………..

page 120

 Type 1 and Type 2 Additional Reference Images………………..……………..

page 122

3/115

NTB17-039l

Required Tools / Materials










Cherry picker / engine hoist / lifting arm (never handle replacement CVT
sub-assembly by hand)
Strap or chain to lift / lower CVT and sub-assembly
Petroleum jelly or equivalent
Extendable magnet
Large clean surface / 1 to 2 work tables
Vernier calipers
Brake cleaner
Rubbing alcohol
Plastic scraper

Essential Tools
Additional Essential Tools are available from Tech•Mate online: www.nissantechmate.com,
or by phone: 1-800-662-2001.
J-25721-A
Slide Hammer Set

J-50255
CVT Service Tool Kit

J-50818
CVT2 Oil Pump
Seal Installer

J-51923
J-Hook Case
Separator

J-50272
Digital Depth
Gauge

J-50255-UPD
Slide Hammer Set

J-50271
Gauge Block

J-8092
Driver Handle
J-52284
Torque Converter Side
Seal Installer

Figure 1

4/115

J-52283
CVT Case Side Seal
Installer
NTB17-039l

Essential Tools (continued)

J-51959
CVT Assembly Guide Pins

J-52272
Pulley Bracket Guide Pins

Figure 2
CVT Universal Lifting Fixture

CVT Side Cover Alignment Aid
J-52082

CAUTION: This tool
is to only be used to
INSTALL side cover

J-52082-2

J-52275

Figure 3

Figure 4

Tech Cam J-51951

Lens swab J-51963
(not part of J-51951)

Figure 5


Additional Tech Cam J-51951 kits or components are available from Tech•Mate.

Weights



CVT assembly: 300 lbs. approximately
CVT sub-assembly: 65 lbs. approximately
5/115

NTB17-039l

GENERAL INFORMATION

Precautions when Disassembling a CVT Assembly
Transmissions are vulnerable to particles (dust, metal, lint, etc.).
When disassembling a CVT, make sure your work environment (shop, workbench, etc.),
transmission area (sub-frame, oil pan, harness connector, etc.), and your hands are free of
contamination.
IMPORTANT:


Wash and clean the exterior of the CVT assembly prior to disassembling.
CAUTION: Cover all air breather and drive shaft holes to prevent water intrusion.



Refrigerating oil seals may help in assembly (axle and T/C seals).



Only disassemble those parts which are mentioned in this bulletin.



Make sure all parts are clean prior to assembling / installing.



Apply rust penetrant to locator / dowel pins on torque converter housing and side
cover of CVT and allow to soak as needed (Figure 6).

Dowel pin
locations

Figure 6


Unpack service parts just before
installation.



To aid with organization, store
related parts that have been
removed separately.

IMPORTANT: The CVT unit “wiring harness
connector” will be reused during this
procedure. The wiring harness can be
disconnected from the valve body at the
wiring harness connector and remain in the
CVT.

Wiring harness
connector
Figure 7

6/115

NTB17-039l

SERVICE PROCEDURE
Control Valve (Valve Body) Removal
1.

Write down all radio station presets.
Presets
AM
FM 1
FM 2
SAT 1
SAT 2/3
Bass

1

2

Treble

3

Balance

4

Fade

2.

Disconnect both battery cables, negative cable first.

3.

Was DTC P17F0 found stored?


NO: Proceed to step 4.



YES:

5

6

Speed Sen. Vol.

a. Remove the CVT from the vehicle, place it on a workbench and then remove
the valve body.
 Refer to the Electronic Service Manual (ESM), section TM-Transaxle &
Transmission for removal information.
NOTE: The number “7” is on the head of all bolts that need to be removed for
valve body removal. Do not remove any bolt that does not have the number “7”.
CAUTION: For AWD Vehicles use extreme care when moving the axle in and
out of the transfer assembly to avoid seal damage.
b. Position the CVT on the workbench with the oil pan side down.
CAUTION: Do not hit the manual shaft while flipping the CVT; the manual shaft
protrudes past the CVT case. Use a plastic / wooden block to support as
needed.
c. Proceed to step 14 on page 18.
4.

Remove the valve body.


Before lifting the vehicle place the transmission gear selector in Neutral.



Refer to the appropriate ESM, section TM – Transaxle & Transmission, for valve
body removal.
NOTE: The number “7” is on the head of all bolts that need to be removed for
valve body removal. Do not remove any bolt that does not have the number “7”.
CAUTION: Never allow any chemicals or fluids other than NS-3 CVT fluid or
equivalent to enter the CVT assembly. Never allow any foreign debris, dust,
dirt, etc. to enter the CVT assembly.



For additional information, see video # 546: “CVT Chain Inspection”. This video is
located under the TECH TRAINING GARAGE VIDEOS tab in Virtual Academy.
7/115

NTB17-039l

Exploded View
Example: Exploded View of Control Valve (valve body)

(#7 is on the head
of these bolts)

Figure 8
1. Transaxle assembly
4. Control valve
7. New-style oil strainer assembly
10. Oil pan
13. Magnet
16. Lip seal
19. O-ring : CVT fluid

2. Terminal cord assembly
5. Bracket
8. Old-style oil strainer assembly
11. Drain plug
14. Spring washer
17. Snap ring

3. CVT fluid temperature sensor bracket
6. O-ring
9. Oil pan gasket
12. Drain plug gasket
15. Manual plate
18. Overflow plug

: Always replace after every disassembly.
: Nꞏm (kg-m, ft-lb)
: Nꞏm (kg-m, in-lb)

8/115

NTB17-039l

CVT Chain Inspection

5.

Secure the right front tire with a suitable strap.

6.

Mark the left front tire with a suitable marking.


7.

This will assure all 360° of the chain is
inspected.

Using borescope J-51951 with mirror attachment,
visually inspect the entirety of the two sides of the
chain that come in contact with the pulleys:

Figure 9
a. First inspect the entirety (360°) of the driver side of the chain that comes in contact
with the pulley (see page 11, Figure 13 and Figure 14, and page 12 Figure 15).
b. If the inspection result is OK on all 360°, inspect all 360° of the passenger side of
the chain.
IMPORTANT:
 Reference the pictures on pages 13-15 for chain image comparison.
 Be sure to remove the protective film from the mirror before the first use.
 Clean the camera lens and mirror before each inspection. Use 90% isopropyl
alcohol, and a lens swab from the Lens Swab packet J-51963 listed in PARTS
INFORMATION.
 Before inspecting, make sure the camera handle’s AA batteries are fresh and the