Classification:

AT13-011c

Reference:

Date:

NTB13-095c

November 25, 2015

2007-2012 SENTRA; REDUCED PERFORMANCE DUE TO CVT
FLUID TEMPERATURE PROTECTION LOGIC
This bulletin has been amended to revise the flow chart on page 2 with additional repair
information. Please discard all previous versions.

APPLIED VEHICLE:
APPLIED ENGINE:

2007-2012 Sentra (B16)
MR20

IF YOU CONFIRM:
The vehicle speed is, or was, reduced by the CVT fail-safe (reduced vehicle speed) after
continuous operation under the following conditions:


High RPM and/or high speed driving
(4000 RPM or more, and/or 65 MPH or more for 1.0 – 1.5 hrs or more)



Driving in ambient temperature of 96 degrees or higher



Climbing steep or extended hills for 6 miles or more



Whine or rattle type noise occurring during reduced engine performance (vehicle speed
decrease)

NOTE: Before applying this bulletin if the vehicle has any DTCs, they should be checked
and repaired first.

ACTION
1. Perform a self-diagnosis with CONSULT-III plus (C-III plus).
 If DTCs are present, refer to the appropriate section of the Electronic Service Manual
(ESM) and diagnose the DTCs first before proceeding to step 2 of ACTION.
2. Check the number of counts of "CVT-A” and “CVT-B" with C-III plus.
 Refer to the Flow Chart on page 2 and the Service Procedure starting on page 3 to
confirm if this bulletin applies.
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 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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Flow Chart

Important
Before applying this bulletin:


Confirm that the CVT fluid has not been overfilled, and that it contains the proper
CVT fluid.



Confirm that the coolant concentration is not greater than 50%.

Use of incorrect fluid, overfilling the CVT fluid, or coolant concentrations greater than
50% can cause the symptoms in the IF YOU CONFIRM section on page 1.

Refer to NTB12-057 to resolve these conditions first if they should
occur.
NOTE: Refer to the ESM for the correct CVT fluid and coolant type for the model and
year vehicle that is being worked on.
Check the CVT-A and
CVT-B counts with CIII plus.
Yes Is the CVT-A count
greater than 1?

No



Is the CVT-A count 24 or
more?

No

Refer to bulletin
NTB12-057 for related
service information.

Yes

And/or


Are 2 or more of the
following DTCs stored?
 P0840
 P0845
 P0710

Replace only the Control
Valve assembly, and
then install the External
CVT Fluid Cooler kit.
 Go to page 5.

Pre-authorization is required
before CVT replacement.
Print screen showing CVTA; CVT-B counts for
Powertrain Cal Center
approval.

Replace the CVT assembly, and then
install the External CVT Fluid Cooler kit.
 Go to page 5.

NOTE:


If the CVT-A count is not greater than 1 and similar symptoms to those in
IF YOU CONFIRM and/or a single DTC is present, refer to the ESM and
NTB12-057 for further diagnosis.



Refer to the ESM section TM – Transaxle & Transmission for removal and
installation information for the Control Valve or CVT assemblies.

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NTB13-095c

SERVICE PROCEDURE

Check CVT-A and CVT-B count with C-III plus

1. Open C-III plus and select
Diagnosis (All Systems).

Select

Figure 1

2. Select TRANSMISSION.

Step 2

Figure 2

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NTB13-095c

3. In Data Monitor select TRANSMISSION
and then select CVT-A and CVT-B.

Select
TRANSMISSION
Select CVT-A
and CVT-B

4. Select START.
Step 4
Figure 3

Confirm VIN is
present
5. Check both CVT-A and CVT-B counts
and refer to the Flow Chart on page 2 to
confirm if this bulletin applies.
NOTE: If the CVT-A count is not greater
than 1 and similar symptoms to those in
IF YOU CONFIRM and/or a DTC are
present, refer to the ESM and
NTB12-057 for further diagnosis.

CVT-A and
CVT-B counts

Figure 4

6. If it is confirmed that this bulletin applies, install the SERVICE KIT-COOLER-ASSY
listed in the Parts Information.
And


If the CVT count is 24 or greater, replace the CVT assembly.

Or


If the CVT count is less than 24, replace the Control Valve Assembly.

IMPORTANT: Pre-authorization is required before CVT replacement. Print screen
showing CVT-A; CVT-B counts for Powertrain Call Center approval.
 Refer to the Installation Instructions beginning on the next page to install the
SERVICE KIT-COOLER-ASSY.
 Refer to the ESM section TM – Transaxle & Transmission for removal and
installation information for the Control Valve or CVT assemblies.

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NTB13-095c

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place the vehicle on a lift and raise it as needed to perform the following procedure.
Attach with 3 bolts
2. Install the “COOLER ASSY – AUTO
TRANS. OIL” to the pre-existing weld
nuts on the front of the radiator support
with bolts from kit.


Torque bolts to 7N•m (0.71 kg-m, 62
in-lb).

NOTE: Figure 5 is shown looking from
the bottom of the vehicle upward, at the
lower front radiator/condenser support.

COOLER ASSY – AUTO
TRANS. OIL
Figure 5

Route hoses past radiator
into engine compartment
NOTE: Figure 14 on page 8 shows an
overview of the external CVT cooler and
hose routing.

3. Route both hoses through the radiator
support and into engine compartment.

Figure 6
Remove Air Inlet

4. Remove the Air Inlet to gain access to
the CVT Fluid Cooler.

Figure 7
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NTB13-095c

Detach the harness and the
battery J-bolt from the TCM

Unbolt the TCM
bracket and place the
bracket out of the way
Figure 8

5. Detach the Engine Room harness and
the battery J-bolt from the TCM bracket.

TCM moved out of
the way and bracket
removed

6. Unbolt the TCM bracket and place it out
of the way.
WARNING:
 Never remove the radiator cap when
the engine is hot. Serious burns may
occur from high-pressure engine
coolant escaping from the radiator.
7. Relieve any residual cooling system
pressure.

Figure 9

a. Wrap a thick cloth around the
radiator cap. Slowly turn it a quarter
of a turn to release the pressure.

Clamp both
coolant hoses to
CVT fluid cooler

b. Then turn it all the way.

8. Clamp both of the coolant hoses
attached to the CVT Fluid Cooler to
prevent coolant loss.
CVT Fluid Cooler
Figure 10
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NTB13-095c

9. Remove both of the CVT Fluid Cooler
coolant hose (Water Hose B and Water
Hose C) spring clamps and then
remove both of the hoses from the CVT
Fluid Cooler.
NOTE: These spring clamps will be
saved for reassembly.

CVT Fluid Cooler with
coolant hoses removed
Figure 11

Do not disturb oil filter

10. Loosen the CVT Fluid Cooler mounting
bolts (4 bolts) and remove the CVT
Fluid Cooler.

11. Clean any debris from the CVT Fluid
Cooler mounting surface with brake
cleaner and a lint free cloth.
Clean surface

NOTE: Use genuine Nissan Brake
Cleaner or equivalent.

Figure 12

12. Coat the O-ring on the new CVT Fluid
Cooler using NS-2 CVT fluid before
installing it onto the CVT Cooler
mounting area.
Coat O-ring
with NS-2
Figure 13

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NTB13-095c

CLP – HOSE SPR PLATE
COOLER ASSY – AUTO
TRANS. OIL
CVT Fluid Cooler

CLP – HOSE SPR PLATE

Bolt

HOSE – AUTO TRANS. UPR

Bolt
HOSE – AUTO TRANS. LWR

Bolt

CLP – HOSE SPR PLATE
CLP – HOSE SPR PLATE
Figure 14

Figure 14 shows overview of external CVT cooler and hose routing.

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13. Install the new CVT Fluid Cooler from the kit onto the CVT and tighten the mounting
bolts to 3.63 N•m (0.37 kg-m, 32 in-lb).
14. Use a lint-free cloth and genuine Nissan Brake Cleaner or equivalent to remove any
residual coolant from the inside of both of the coolant hoses before re-assembly of the
hoses to the CVT fluid cooler.
15. Re-install CVT Water Hose B and CVT
Water Hose C onto the new CVT Fluid
Cooler and reposition spring clamps.


Re-install Water Hose B and C and
reposition spring clamps

Position the spring clamps as close
to each fitting bulge as possible and
then release them.

NOTE: Confirm that the clamps are not
on top of each fitting bulge or on an
angle.
Figure 15
16. Place 2 new “CLP – HOSE SPR
PLATE” (spring clamps) onto the
COOLER ASSY – AUTO TRANS. OIL
hoses and install the cooler hoses on to
the CVT Fluid Cooler.


See Figure 14 for hose routing.



Position the hoses so that they do
not come in contact with the radiator
support.



Position the spring clamps as close
to the fitting bulge as possible and
then release them.

COOLER ASSY – AUTO
TRANS. OIL hoses

Figure 16

NOTE: Confirm that the spring clamps
are not on top of the fitting bulge or on
an angle.
17. Reassemble the components removed in steps 4 – 6 in reverse order.
18. Check the level of the coolant and add as needed.


Refer to ESM for correct coolant for the model year vehicle that is being worked on.

19. Check the level of the CVT Fluid and add as needed.


Refer to ESM for correct method to check fluid level for the model year vehicle that
is being worked on.
NOTE: For warranty repairs, Nissan NS-2 CVT Fluid must be used. For customer
pay repairs, Nissan NS-2 CVT Fluid or an equivalent is recommended.

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PARTS INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION
SERVICE KIT-COOLER ASSY

PART #
21606-ET89B

QUANTITY
1

NS-2 CVT Fluid (2)
999MP-NS200P (1)
As needed
Control Valve Assembly
(3)
1
CVT Assembly
(3)
1
(1) For warranty repairs, Nissan NS-2 CVT Fluid must be used. For customer pay repairs,
Nissan NS-2 CVT Fluid or an equivalent is recommended.
(2) Order this item through the Nissan Maintenance Advantage program: Phone: 877-NISNMA1 (877-647-6621). Website order via link on dealer portal www.NNAnet.com and
click on the “Maintenance Advantage” link.
(3) Use the VIN and the electronic parts catalog (FAST or equivalent) to obtain the
applicable part number for the vehicle you are working on.
Table A – Listing of parts included in the SERVICE KIT-COOLER ASSY
PART NAME
QTY PER KIT
COOLER ASSY-AUTO TRANS OIL (air-to-ATF cooler)
1
HOSE-AUTO TRANS, UPR
1
HOSE-AUTO TRANS, LWR
1
CLP – HOSE SPR PLATE(s)
4
BOLT-HEX
3
BOLT-HEX
4
CVT Fluid Cooler (CVT mounted heat exchanger with 4 ports)
1
OIL COOLER O-Ring
1
CLAIMS INFORMATION
Submit a Primary Part (PP) type line claim using the following claims coding:
DESCRIPTION
PFP
OP CODE SYM DIA
FRT
Replace Control Valve Assembly
JD48AA
(1)
21606-ZX59A
AE
32
Oil cooler kit installation
JX15AA
1.0
(1) Reference the current Nissan Warranty Flat Rate Manual and use the indicated Flat
Rate Time.
OR
Submit a Primary Part (PP) type line claim using the following claims coding:
DESCRIPTION
PFP
OP CODE SYM DIA
FRT
R&I Automatic CVT Transaxle Assembly

JD01AA

Replace Automatic CVT Transaxle
(1)
JD023A
(2)
ZE
32
Assembly
CVT TROUBLE DIAGNOSIS
JX22AA
Oil cooler kit installation
JX15AA
1.0
(1) Reference the current Nissan Warranty Flat Rate Manual and use the indicated Flat
Rate Time.
(2) Refer to the electronic parts catalog (FAST) and use the CVT assembly part number as
the Primary Failed Part (PFP).

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