Subject: Transmission problems
Date: Thu, 18 Feb 1999
From: ZDoc, zdoc@yosemite.net
To: Ralph Welch <Ralph.Welch@infores.com>

Here's a followup from Ralph about his transmission problem:
Date: Wed, 3 Mar 1999

Hi Ralph, Doc here, it sounds like you are experiencing clutch problems again from your description. Does the transmission make any sounds that are abnormal? Listen at idle in neutral for anything that is not a normal sound.

How is the gear lube? Have you ever changed it? There is a magnet on the drain plug to collect metal pieces that could migrate in the gear lube and is an indicator of anything that is starting to come apart, like a bearing shield.

The third thing that is you describe is the characteristic problem with the reverse light switch. Many times they just get tired and stick from wear, so I would order a new one from your local Nissan Dealership Parts Department. The connector is a special one so it is not available from an after market source that I am aware of at this time.

Since you are having some questions about the clutch I would like to have you review the repair order to see if the clutch parts were Nissan ones or something else. Many times especially in your location it may not be a convenient to wait and get the factory parts so another brand can be substituted for getting the job out of the shop. From your description is is possible that there is something that came apart from the center of the clutch hub and could be wedged in the pressure plate fingers. This would be a good probability since your description of having to feather it when engaging, like something dragging.

I hope that this sheds some light on the subject for you..........So how is the Weather in St. Louis?............

ZDOC OUT........ in Yosemite

Ralph Welch wrote:

Hello,

I have a 1990 300ZX Coupe, NA 5-SPEED, and had my clutch replaced in 1997 by a foreign car specialist shop, and now I'm starting to experience problems in 1st and 2nd gear. When I'm at a complete stand still and accelerate, I have to let up on the clutch very slow or it will stall and almost cut off as if the clutch is too tight,like I'm dragging on the flywheel(this was told to me by two individuals), but once I start to accelerate and I shift to 2nd gear, instead of a smooth continuation of speed, it would grab and slow down and I would have to depress the accelerator down almost to the floor before speed would catch up. And now its starting to do the same thing when I shift to 3rd. I've also heard that 300zx are sometimes geared too high. Is this true? I have 148,000 miles on my very cherished z.

Also my reverse lights are not working. Sometimes the would blink on for just a few seconds as if there was a short or if the connection was not true. Is there some type of connection with two
wires that attaches to the transmission housing. The bulbs are in good working order.

Sorry for the long questions.

Thanks In Advance,
Ralph

Windy Z club