Manual Shift Mode

L

lowKut

Member
Location
Queens, NY
Hey folks,

I have a question regarding the manual mode on the FX35.
I picked up an 03 FX35 about three weeks ago - the shifter will not go into M. I do not want to apply a lot of force to break anything. Is there anything special that needs to get done to go into manual?

On my other Lexus vehicle tiptronic is easy as going from P to D, but not the FX - this thing will not budge.

Also, on a side note I did a search without any relevance find.

Thanks in advanced....

MARK
 
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Nothing special other then when you're in "D" mode, just push the shifter to the right and you're in "M" mode. While in "M" mode, push the shifter up to up-shift, down to down-shift. Unless the previous owner somehow jammed it over and bend the flimsy plastic guide underneath it. If that's the case, you'll have pop the center-console to see if something can be straighten out.
 
la_fx35 said:
Nothing special other then when you're in "D" mode, just push the shifter to the right and you're in "M" mode. While in "M" mode, push the shifter up to up-shift, down to down-shift. Unless the previous owner somehow jammed it over and bend the flimsy plastic guide underneath it. If that's the case, you'll have pop the center-console to see if something can be straighten out.
Click to expand...

Thanks bro - I have an appointment next week at the dealership where in bought it (Legacy Infiniti, Lynbrook, NY) hopefully they can rectify the issue. If not, then i will pop the center console out.

AWenta said:
If it doesn't work your hammer isn't big enough!

.
Click to expand...

ROFL - sounds like a plan and something i would do if i get too irritated enough;-)
 
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The stealer indicated it is a bad sensor within the shifter that causing it to not go into manual mode.
Anyone have any idea what sensor it could be?

Their printed report reads "need to replace the shifter assy then recheck".

They want to charge about $500 to replace the shifter so I said no. This really upsets me due to the fact that I bought the vehicle from them w/ this issue they indicated they will fix.
Today I received a satisfaction survey call from them which I expressed my gripe. So, they now want me to take the vehicle in again this following Monday which I was reluctant in doing from the first bad experience I had. The service manager himself state he will personally look into this issue along with a random engine knocking I am also having.

This is why I dislike dealers w/ a passion. Will keep you folks updated.

I am somewhat prepared for more BS fr them, only doing it again since they will provide a loaner vehicle.
When I picked-up the FX yesterday they left a ding on the door which they tried to cover-up w/ touch up paint, my music was on blast w/ the bass settings all the way-up. I didn't stress it too much since I already have a few dings and looking to get a fresh paint job soon.
 
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What dealer you going to?

Infiniti of Massapequa is the dealer I use. Not all dealership service departments are all "stealers". If anything they actually give more than receive. Just depends on which one your using. All my state inspections are free there. And I never pay a dime.
 
There is no sensor that I know of. To change to the manual mode its a mechanical enagement. You said you cannot even push the shifter over into the right side correct? Check to make sure the shifter is in the correct hole. I had a feeling the previous owner insert the shifter into the wrong hole. See attached pics.

The correct hole for for the shifter to go through. Note, the hole is oval.
DSC09364_zpsea50ad3c.jpg

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Shifter going through the wrong hole.
DSC09367_zps149ae690.jpg

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The back side.
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Can you even shift normally if the shifter goes into the wrong hole? I've done it a bunch of times when I pull the console, but when I do it, the shifter won't go into park correctly. Maybe the sliding mechanism is just jammed or bent? Regardless, there is no sensor and this does seem to be entirely mechanical as others have said.
 
Fire0nic3FX said:
What dealer you going to?
Click to expand...

Legacy Infiniti in Lynbrook, NY.

---------- Post added at 10:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:49 AM ----------
la_fx35 said:
There is no sensor that I know of. To change to the manual mode its a mechanical enagement. You said you cannot even push the shifter over into the right side correct? Check to make sure the shifter is in the correct hole. I had a feeling the previous owner insert the shifter into the wrong hole. See attached pics.

The correct hole for for the shifter to go through. Note, the hole is oval.
DSC09364_zpsea50ad3c.jpg



Shifter going through the wrong hole.




The back side.
Click to expand...

You sir are a fantastic help - thanks a mill for those picture.
That is correct I cannot shift at all to the right - it just will not budge at all.

Let me get this correct, they are multiple holes on the shifter? From the pictures shown it appears like a slider separating two holes.
 

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Well not exactly, but if you slide the middle piece (the one with the oval hole) a certain way you will see the wrong one (the one with a straight edge).
Just shift it into Drive and if your plastic slider looks like the third pic, your shifter is in the wrong hole.
 
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la_fx35 said:
Well not exactly, but if you slide the middle piece (the one with the oval hole) a certain way you will see the wrong one (the one with a straight edge).
Just shift it into Drive and if your plastic slider looks like the third pic, your shifter is in the wrong hole.
Click to expand...

I will let you be the expert judge in that - just snapped this pic Click here excuse the dirtiness i will clean it soon, lol.
 
Your shifter is in the correct hole. Next step is to pull the center console out and look in the back of the thing to see is any of the plastic pieces are bent out mis-aligned.
 
To remove the center console cover:
1. Open the ashtray
2. Pry with fingers under the clock panel to remove the clock panel and disconnect or move the clock panel out of the way
3. Apply parking brake and put the car in "N"
4. Slide the silver piece under the shift knob down
5. Pry the "U" shape spring clip off the collar of the shift knob. Careful not to lose the spring clip. It will cost you $5 to replace :)
6. Pry with fingers on the edges of the center console cover, lift the piece up and disconnect all the connectors so it free to come off the car for careful examination.

While with the center console cover out of the car, you can start the car and see if you can shift it into manual mode too. Just be careful of what mode you're in since there are no indicator without the console cover in place.
 
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If you have an engine knock, follow Andy's guide above, and fix the center console issue yourself if at all possible (when you open it up and actually look underneath the shifter panel and you see the engagement type you will easily understand how it should work). Then when you take it in to the service manager explain to him how they wanted to charge you $500 for something that took you 5 minutes to fix with the help of the internet.

I guarantee you he will fix your engine knock no matter how much money it costs him because otherwise you will probably make him look like an ass to everyone who will listen and their mothers. This tactic works with slime ball dealers.
 
In the service manual, the only problem that is associated with the inability to go into manual mode is this:

ugusa7u9.jpg

The manual mode switch is a sensor:

u2emutev.jpg

Now this problem is associated with a trouble code that should be mentioned in the report they gave you, which is "P1815". Is this code in the report?

If not, then the technician who had a go at your issue didn't know a sxxx, stormed the manual and stumbled upon this only problem stated and reported it to you.




Sent from my iPad HD

---------- Post added at 11:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:25 PM ----------

More info from the manual ... Your TCM needs to know the position of the manual gear (M1 to M5), the job of this switch is doing exactly that, if the switch is faulty, then the gear will not be allowed to go into manual mode - or so I understood.

The Infiniti is designed thoroughly on what NISSAN calls fail-safe concept, meaning that, if something fails then it goes completely primitive and no advanced functionality / technology will be available, this is to prevent the TCM/ECM/VDC ...etc from making wrong decisions based on incorrect or incomplete data input which is acquired by sensors.

If however this is your issue, then the technician should get the code P1815 when he scans your car and mention it in his report, if he does not get this code then this is definitely not it.



Sent from my iPad
 

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I hate stealerships this is so upsetting that they can't even diagnose a simple jam or misalignment, they prob didn't even bother to open the shifter up just said f it, I don't have a clue nor care just replace. Sickening. That tech deserves a big old B-slap
 
Yeah that is what they do, the issue is wanting to be profitable without vision, just cash in and as quick as legally possible.

Where I live there are two "NISSAN" approved dealers, they got state of the art tools including consult III, fantastic workshop and maintenance facilities, a big chrome NISSAN logo that can be seen a mile away so they can't be missed, they need to have that to get NISSAN's blessing, but everything beyond this is completely useless starting with the cheap technicians they got, who knew more by screwing up people's cars that what they initially know. They bill 15$ for an appointment, and minimum service charge of 150$ even for a visual inspection, I am not allowed to go in the shop so I do not know what they do.

Back when I had the VDC-OFF SLIP problem, and after so much screwing around with my car, they actually sent me to an independent individual technician who has a small workshop at the other end of the city to have a look, because they could not figure out what the problem is and he would better advise, because he worked on FX's with American specs and they have only experience with Arabian golf specs - total bullxxxx. My bill reached 450$ that time and walked out with a report suggesting that ABC actuator "might" be faulty. I fixed it after all by myself and the cause was the grounding of the AWD control unit.

I am sure everyone must have at least one similar story.


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