[Kevgar]

down to the last item after buying a 2001 Xterra 3.3L 2WD. I get flares when applying minimal pressure to the accelerator such that it is worse when rolling down hill or level ground but never occurs when going uphill. I can avoid it by applying more pressure to the accelerator and not too much. The symptom existed before all other fluid changes and dizzy change. I was hoping these might change it. Nope!!! I disconnected the dropping resistor and the symptoms went away. Of course I got a CEL after a while and the shifting was harder. I put it back on and back to flaring. No difference before and after. After much research I am thinking the tranny solenoids.

I have adjusted all motor items I can think of including the TPS and after cleaning the throttle body and MAF ensured the Air idle solenoid is working without leaking coolant. FYI, changed (ALL) tranny fluid with 1/2 bottle of lucas, engine oil, spark plugs and wires, dizzy, timed it, Seafoamed oil prior to changing, intake and gas tank.

I have seen posts where people have changed out the entire tranny for this and still have the problem. I am on the verge of changing the solenoids but wanted to see if anyone had any ideas before going into unchartered territory (for me anyway) Engine runs great BTW.

 

[Kevgar]

Am I really the only one who has experienced this? WOW, I feel honored.

 

[Kevgar]

OK, I have FIXED this issue. I wanted to share because honestly the information out there is misleading to say the least. I will preface this by saying I am a self taught mechanic and a professional IT technician. I say that because in IT we have a saying. Garbage in, garbage out. Others mentioned the replacement of the transmission which in many cases did NOT resolve the issue. So I wasn't ready to go down that road off the get go. I even bought the tranny solenoids but something in the back of my mind said that ain't it Kevin.

After disconnecting the dropping resistor it was obvious the information which controls the transmission is faulty. But why??? The ECM info traverses the dropping resistor just before entering the transmission. So all those posts about increasing the resistance of said dropping resistor was a band aid. Most of what I read stated that as well. But I didn't want a band aid. I wanted it resolved. here is a link to the theory behind the dropping resistor and NOT a FIX. https://www.altimaforums.net/4spd-transmission-slip-fix-t3351.html?t=3351

SO if the dropping resistor had the correct ohm's, which it did, next in line is the ECM. now the ECM gets its information primarily (if not solely) from the TPS sensor. (for the purposes of the tranny flare issue, obvious it has other inputs for other systems) That's right, the throttle position sensor.

So I think to myself, I got no codes, but I did adjust it when I first got the vehicle about a month ago. I touched it, another IT tech clue. What has changed? It wasn't flaring until after I did a major tune-up and fluid change in the first few days of ownership. So what do I know about the TPS and the adjustments. refering to the video linked here

I remembered the TPS was supposed to be outputting 0.15 - 0.8 volts. When I adjusted it, thinking mechanically and not computer-wise, I was only adjusting the idle. WRONG!!!! the output goes directly to the ECM which then does it's mathematical magic and sends control signals to the tranny. I had adjusted it and gotten 0.10 volts but had the right idle speed in my mind. after reviewing the above video I realized the voltage was key to the tranny shifting. The ECM would adjust the idle regardless of the voltage output. I adjusted the TPS to mid range voltage, ignoring the idle, now faster. the key point I missed was when I turned the car off for 10 seconds, restarted it, the idle was perfect. And low and behold the test drive was flawless without any tranny flaring symptoms. Shifts were smooth and the car had more power. It is not a turbo but it had always felt like I was dragging a little like it was holding back.

My sincere hope is that this helps someone so they don't go through some of the EXPENSIVE headaches I experienced and read about online.

let me know if this helps anyone.