Classificatio n:

AT10-009c

Reference:

Date:

NTB11-002c

November 5, 2013

2010 MAXIMA, MURANO, & V-6 ALTIMA; MIL IS ON
AND / OR SLOWER-THAN-NORMAL ACCELERATION
This bulletin has been amended to update the SERVICE PROCEDURE to CONSULT-III plus.
The REPAIR FLOW CHART and TCM P/N table have been amended.
Please discard all previous versions of this bulletin.

APPLIED VEHICLES: 2010 Maxima (A35)
2010 Murano (Z51)
2010 Altima Sedan (L32) equipped with VQ35DE engine ONLY
2010 Altima Coupe (CL32) equipped with VQ35DE engine ONLY
IF YOU CONFIRM:
The vehicle has slower-than-normal acceleration from a stop at times
and / or
The customer describes the vehicle has slower-than-normal acceleration from a stop at
times
NOTE: The condition of slower-than-normal accelerating from a stop, if it should
occur, happens more commonly when the vehicle has been driven for extended
periods at highway speeds.
and / or
The MIL is ON with DTC P1778 (STEP MOTOR) stored in Engine and/or Transmission.

ACTION:
Refer to the REPAIR FLOW CHART on page 2 for repair procedure.

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 REPAIR FLOW CHART (on page 2) and
the SERVICE PROCEDURE if applicable (starting on page 3) as they contain information
that is essential to successfully completing the 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.

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REPAIR FLOW CHART

Intermittently, the vehicle:
a. Is slower than normal when accelerating from a stop
and / or
b. The MIL is ON and DTC P1778 (STEP MOTOR) is stored
in ENGINE and / or TRANSMISSION.

Perform appropriate
ESM diagnosis.

If Diagnosis Result leads to “Replace
Primary Speed Sensor”, “Secondary
Speed Sensor”, or “TCM”, instead,
replace the Control Valve Assembly
(Valve Body). DO NOT replace either
Speed Sensor, TCM, or Transaxle
Assembly.
Refer to the SERVICE PROCEDURE
on the next page.

V-6 Altima: Perform TCM Initialization
(Erase EEPROM) only.
Once complete, verify repairs.
NOTE: V-6 Altima does not need
TCM reprogramming.

Maxima and Murano: Reprogram the
TCM (as it applies) and perform TCM
Initialization (Erase EEPROM).
Once complete, verify repairs.

Work Completed.

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NTB11-002c

SERVICE PROCEDURE

Remove Control Valve Assembly

PRECAUTIONS WHEN REPLACING CONTROL VALVE ASSEMBLY
Transmissions are vulnerable to particles (dust, metal, lint, etc.)
• When replacing a valve body, make sure your work environment (shop,
workbench, etc.), the transmission area (sub-frame, oil pan, harness connector,
etc.), and your hands are free of contamination.
• Make sure all parts are clean prior to installing on the vehicle. Unpack Service
Parts just before installation.

NOTE: The transmission does not need to be removed for this procedure.

1. Write down all radio station presets.
Presets
A
B
C
SAT

1

2

3

4

5

6

2. Set the vehicle on a hoist, but do not raise it.

3. Disconnect both battery cables, negative cable first.

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NTB11-002c

4. Remove the CVT dipstick, and then raise the vehicle on the hoist.

5. Remove the undercover from underneath the front bumper.

6. Remove the transmission pan drain plug and drain the CVT fluid.
WARNING: CVT Fluid may be hot.

7. Remove the oil pan bolts to remove the oil pan.

CVT connector
F6
8. Disconnect CVT harness connector
F6 by turning it in the direction shown
in Figure 1.

Figure 1

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NTB11-002c

Manual
Plate

9. Remove the nut and lock nut to remove
the manual plate (see Figure 2).

Nut

Lock Nut
Figure 2

Collar
10. Remove the collar from the manual
shaft (see Figure 3).

Manual
Shaft
Figure 3

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NTB11-002c

Black CVT
Connector
11. Remove the large lock ring holding
the black CVT connector to the
transmission case (see Figure 4).
•

Push the black CVT connector
down inside the transmission
case to remove it.

Lock Ring

Figure 4

• Black CVT harness connector and
lock ring shown removed from the
transmission case (see Figure 5).

Figure 5

Primary Oil Pressure
Sensor Connector

12. Disconnect the harness from the
Primary oil pressure sensor assembly
(see Figure 6).

Figure 6
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NTB11-002c

13. Remove the bolts attaching the valve body to the transmission (see Figure 7).
•

There are eleven (11) bolts shown and numbered for convenience.

•

There are three (3) different length bolts which are identified by:
S-short
M-medium
L-long

3S
8L

9S

7L

6L

4L

5L

2M
10S

1M
11S

Figure 7

14. Carefully remove the valve body.
•

Note the position of the Ratio
Control Valve and attached shift
link (see Figure 8).

•

Be careful not to allow the Ratio
Control Valve to fall out.

Fork End

Shift Link
Ratio Control
Valve. Notice
Its Position.
Figure 8
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NTB11-002c

15. Make sure you replace the two (2) lip
seals shown in Figure 9.
•

Do not reuse the old lip seals.

•

Use petroleum jelly or equivalent
to keep the new lip seals in place
during reassembly.

Lip Seals

Figure 9

Install the replacement Control Valve Assembly:

Pin
16. Carefully install the new valve body and
shift link with the fork end of the shift link
around the pin (see Figure 10).

Fork End Of
Shift Link

Shift Link
Figure 10

Shift Link
17. While you are doing step 16 above,
the lower end of the shift link must stick
through the bottom of the step motor
pin as shown in Figure 11.
Step Motor
Pin
Lower End
Of Shift Link
Figure 11

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NTB11-002c

18. Install finger tight the eleven (11) valve body bolts removed on page 7, step 13.
•

Make sure the different lengths of bolts are installed in the correct holes
(see page 7, Figure 7).
IMPORTANT CHECKS:
¾ After you install the new valve body, make sure the upper end (fork end) of
the shift link is positioned around the pin. Space is very limited in the work
area.
¾ Install the CVT dip stick and make sure there is adequate clearance between
the dipstick and the harness.

19. Torque the eleven (11) valve body bolts.
•

Tightening torque: 6.9-8.9 N•m (0.7-0.9 kg-m, 61.1-78.8 in-lb) *.

•

Torque sequence as per Figure 7, page 7: 6-7-5-8-4-9-3-10-2-11-1.

•

Refer to Figure 7 for bolt numbering and position.

20. Reinstall the collar on the manual shaft (see page 5, step 10 and Figure 3).

21. Align the manual plate with the notch in the
manual valve (see Figure 12).
NOTE: First, tighten the nut, and then
tighten the lock nut with the specified
tightening torque.
•

Manual
Valve

Manual Plate
Nut

Use a Torque wrench to tighten
both the 14 mm and 19 mm nuts;
same torque specification for both:
TORQUE: 20.6-23.5 N•m
(2.1-2.3 kg-m, 15.1 - 17.3 ft-lb) *

Lock Nut
Figure 12

22. Reconnect the harness to the primary oil pressure sensor (see page 6, step 12 and
Figure 6).

*

Do not confuse in-lb with ft lb.
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NTB11-002c

23. Install the black CVT connector in its transmission case mounting hole.
•

Secure it by installing its large lock ring.

•

Secure the gray F6 CVT connector to the black CVT connector.

24. Install the oil pan with a new gasket and new bolts.

• Make sure the oil pan and magnets are clean.
• Bolts tightening torque: 5.4 – 7.4 N•m (0.5 – 0.7 kg-m, 47.8 – 65.5 in-lb). *
25. Install the drain plug with new seal.
•

Drain plug torque: 21.0 N•m (2.14 kg-m, 15.5 ft lb)

26. Install the undercover.
27. Connect both battery cables, negative cable last.
28. Check the fluid level.
•

Add as necessary.

•

Inspect for fluid leaks.

29. For Maxima and Murano: Go to “TCM Reprogramming: Determine And Perform If
Needed” on page 11 to determine if the TCM needs to be reprogrammed.
a. If TCM reprogramming applies, reprogram the TCM, perform TCM initialization, and
then skip to step 31.
b. If TCM reprogramming does not apply, go to step 30.
NOTE: TCM reprogramming does not apply to V-6 Altima. Go to step 30.
30. Perform TCM initialization.
•

Refer to “TCM Initialization Procedure” on page 18.

31. Reset / initialize all applied systems i.e., radio, power windows, clock, sunroof, etc.
•

Refer to the ESM as needed.

32. Make sure to erase DTCs from all Systems.
33. Test drive the vehicle and make sure it operates correctly, and:
•