Classification:

AT15-014b

Reference:

Date:

NTB15-085b

April 1, 2016

2013-2015 ALTIMA; CVT DELAYED ENGAGEMENT
WHEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE
This bulletin has been amended. Instructions have been changed and parts information added for
installing a new oil strainer when the valve body is replaced.
Please discard all previous versions of this bulletin.

APPLIED VEHICLE: 2013-2015 Altima Sedan (L33)
APPLIED ENGINE:

QR25 (4 cylinder) only

IF YOU CONFIRM:
The CVT has a delayed engagement when shifting into Drive or Reverse,
AND
There are no DTCs stored in the ECM and/or TCM.
NOTE:
 Engagement in Drive or Reverse within three (3) seconds after shifting is considered
normal.
 A delayed engagement when shifting into gear may only occur one time per ignition
cycle.
ACTION:
1. Refer to page 5, step 6 in the SERVICE PROCEDURE to check if TCM reprogramming
applies to the vehicle you are working on.
 Reprogram the TCM, if reprogramming applies.
2. Inspect the CVT belt per the SERVICE PROCEDURE in this bulletin.
NOTE: Essential Tool Tech Cam (borescope) J-51951 has been sent to dealers. This
tool’s attachments make CVT inspection possible.
3. Perform CVT repairs based on inspection results.

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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Repair Flow Chart

No

Delayed engagement (longer than 3
seconds) has been confirmed
Yes

This bulletin
does not apply
Check for applicable
TCM reprogram

If reprograming applies,
reprogram the TCM

Remove the control valve (valve body),
inspect the CVT belt
No evidence of
belt slippage

Evidence of
belt slippage

Replace the
valve body

Replace the
CVT assembly
See page 26
for important
pre-authorization

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NTB15-085b

SERVICE PROCEDURE

TCM Reprogramming

NOTE:


Most instructions for reprogramming with CONSULT-III plus (C-III plus) are
displayed on the CONSULT PC screen.



If you are not familiar with the reprogramming procedure, click here. This will link
you to the "CONSULT- III plus Reprogramming" general procedure.

CAUTION:


Connect the GR8 to the vehicle battery, set to “power supply” mode.
If the vehicle battery voltage drops below 12.0V or rises above 15.5V during
reprogramming, the TCM may be damaged.



Be sure to turn OFF all vehicle electrical loads.
If a vehicle electrical load remains ON, the TCM may be damaged.



Be sure to connect the AC Adapter.
If the CONSULT PC battery voltage drops during reprogramming, the process
will be interrupted and the TCM may be damaged.



Turn OFF all external Bluetooth® devices (e.g., cell phones, printers, etc.)
within range of the CONSULT PC and the VI. If Bluetooth® signal waves are
within range of the CONSULT PC during reprogramming, reprogramming may
be interrupted and the TCM may be damaged.

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NTB15-085b

1. Connect the CONSULT PC to the vehicle to begin the reprogramming procedure.

2. Start C-III plus.

3. Wait for the plus VI to be recognized.


The serial number will display when the plus VI is recognized.

4. Select Re/programming, Configuration.

Step 3:
plus VI is
recognized
Step
4

Figure 1

5. Follow the on-screen instructions and navigate the C-III plus to the screen shown in
Figure 2 on the next page.

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NTB15-085b

6. When you get to the screen shown in Figure 2, confirm this bulletin applies as follows.
A. Find the TCM Part Number and write it on the repair order.
NOTE: This is the current TCM Part Number (P/N).

6A: Current TCM P/N
TRANSMISSION

31036 -

Figure 2

B. Compare the P/N you wrote down to the numbers in the Current TCM Part Number
column in Table A below.


If there is a match, this bulletin applies. Continue with the reprogramming
procedure.



If there is not a match, go to page 11, Control Valve (Valve Body) Removal
and CVT Belt Inspection.

Table A
MODEL

2013 Altima
(4-cyl engine only)

CURRENT TCM PART NUMBER BEFORE
REPROGRAMMING: 31036 3TA0A, 3TA4A
3TA4B
3TA4C, 3TA9C
3TY0A, 3TY1A

2014-2015Altima
(4-cyl engine only)

9HM0A, 9HM0C, 9HM0D

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NTB15-085b

7. Follow the on-screen instructions to navigate C-III plus and reprogram the TCM.

NOTE:


In some cases, more than one new P/N for reprogramming is available.
 If more than one new P/N is available, the screen in Figure 3 displays.
 Select and use the reprogramming option that does not have the message
“Caution! Use ONLY with NTBXX-XXX”.



If you get this screen and it is blank (no reprogramming listed), it means there is no
reprogramming available for this vehicle. Close C-III plus, and then go to page 11,
Control Valve (Valve Body) Removal and CVT Belt Inspection.

TRANSMISSION

Figure 3

IMPORTANT: If C-III plus locks up or freezes at this point or displays “cannot
complete reprogramming, the CONSULT PC is set up with User Rights.
Reprogramming can be completed with Administrator log in”, the TOUGHBOOK
settings need to be changed so that Users have full access rights. See your
Dealership’s IT System Administrator for details.

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NTB15-085b

8. When the screen in Figure 4 displays, reprogramming is complete.

NOTE: If the screen in Figure 4 does not display (indicating that reprogramming did not
complete), refer to the information on the next page.

9. Disconnect the battery charger from the vehicle.

10. Select Next.

Step
10

Figure 4

NOTE:


In the next step (page 9), you will perform Erase All DTCs.



DTC erase is required before C-III plus will provide the final reprogramming
confirmation report.

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NTB15-085b

TCM Recovery:
Do not disconnect plus VI or shut down C-III plus if reprogramming does not
complete.
If reprogramming does not complete and the “!?” icon displays as shown in
Figure 5:


Check battery voltage
(12.0–15.5 V).



Ignition is ON, engine OFF.



External Bluetooth® devices
are OFF.



All electrical loads are OFF.



Select retry and follow the
on screen instructions.



“Retry” may not go through
on first attempt and can be
selected more than once.

Figure 5

If reprogramming does not complete and the “X” icon displays as shown in
Figure 6:


Check battery voltage
(12.0 – 15.5 V).



CONSULT A/C adapter is
plugged in.



Ignition is ON, engine OFF.



Transmission is in Park.



All C-III plus / VI cables are
securely connected.



All C-III plus updates are
installed.



Select Home, and restart
the reprogram procedure
from the beginning.

Figure 6

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NTB15-085b

11. Follow the on-screen instructions to Erase All DTCs.

12. When the entire reprogramming process is complete, the screen in Figure 7 will display.

13. Verify the before and after part numbers are different.

14. Print a copy of this screen (Figure 7) and attach it to the repair order for warranty
documentation.

15. Select Confirm.

31036 - _ _ _ _ _

Step
13

31036 - _ _ _ _ _

TRANSMISSION

Step
14

Step
15

Figure 7

16. Return C-III plus to the Home screen.

17. Turn OFF C-III plus and the vehicle ignition.

18. Disconnect C-III plus from the vehicle.

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NTB15-085b

Exploded View

(Total of 9 bolts)

Figure 8
Terminal cord assembly

Control valve (valve body)

O-ring

Oil strainer assembly

Oil pan gasket

Oil pan

Drain plug

Drain plug gasket

Two original magnets

Spring washer

Manual plate

Lip seal

Snap ring

Overflow plug

O-ring

Transaxle (CVT) assembly

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NTB15-085b

Control Valve (Valve Body) Removal and CVT Belt Inspection

1. Remove the valve body.


Before lifting the vehicle:
 Place the transmission gear selector in Neutral.
 Leave the driver door unlatched. A step further in the procedure may require it.



Refer to the ESM, section TM – Transaxle & Transmission / RE0F10D, 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 # 544: “CVT Belt Inspection”. This video is
located under the TECH TRAINING GARAGE VIDEOS tab in Virtual Academy.

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NTB15-085b

2. Secure the front right tire with a suitable
strap.


This will assist in making the belt turn.

3. Mark the front left tire with a suitable
marking.


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

Figure 9

4. Using borescope J-51951 with mirror
attachment, inspect the entirety of the two
sides of the belt that come in contact with
the pulleys (see page 14, Figure 15).
Reference the pictures on pages 14-18
for comparison.

Belt
Pulley
Case

NOTE:
 Be sure to remove the protective film
from the mirror before the first use.




Step 4a

Clean the camera lens and mirror
before each inspection. Use 90%
isopropyl alcohol, and a lens swab
from Lens Swab packet J-51963 listed
in PARTS INFORMATION.

Step 4c

Figure 10

Before inspecting, make sure the
camera handle’s AA batteries are
fresh and the LCD monitor’s battery
is charged.

Camera
flexible tube
Front

a. Insert the camera lens between the
CVT case and pulley where shown in
Figures 10 and 11.


Insert the lens approximately seven
(7) inches, and then view the side
of the belt that contacts the pulley.
Figure 11

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NTB15-085b

b. Slowly and carefully turn the front left
tire one full turn in the forward rotation
to view all of the belt.


Holding the borescope with one
hand allows for turning the tire with
the other hand (see Figure 12).
CAUTION: If the tire is rotated in the
rearward rotation, the camera lens
may get caught between the belt and
pulley.
c. If the inspection result is OK, inspect
the other side of the belt.


Figure 12

Insert the camera lens in the
second location where shown
in Figures 10 and 13, and then
perform step 4b again.

d. If the inspection result is OK 360° on
both sides of the belt, skip to step 5 on
the next page.


If any evidence of belt slippage
is found, go to step 4e, and then
step 6.



For additional information, see
video # 544: “CVT Belt Inspection”.
This video is located under the
TECH TRAINING GARAGE
VIDEOS tab in Virtual Academy.

e. Once CVT replacement is determined
as required, use borescope J-51951 to
record a 15 second or less continuous
video of the most severe evidence of
belt slip and the VIN on the F.M.V.S.S.
certification label (VIN label). See
Figure 14.
NOTE: This required video must be
attached to the Powertrain Call Center
CVT Preauthorization Form (in ASIST)
prior to calling for authorization.
Failure to submit a continuous video
will cause immediate denial of request
for replacement.

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Pulley
Front