Transmission Fix

ATL_FX35

ATL_FX35

Member
Location
Pasadena, TX
Car
2010 FX35 RWD
I didn't post this in 2nd gen section because I wanted some additional input.

I was just kicking around this idea with my wife the other day.

Would it be possible to take a brand new 09 G35 tranny and install it into my 09 FX35 RWD? The engine setups are the same correct? They both have the same dual throttle body engine, so I would think it would be plug and play. But then again I'm not that mechanically inclined so I'm probably over simpliflying this. That is why I wanted to get some information from people that are familiar with the details.

You may be wondering why I'm thinking of this idea. Well, because after numberous visits to the dealer and reflashes to transmission and engine computers the car still doesn't respond as it should. I have already spoken to Infiniti consumer affairs, which lead to the second round of reflashes and visit from a tech from Japan. None of which worked.

I also realize I can Lemon Law the car thru GA laws but other than the 7spd tranny I like the FX! I called my dealer to check the price of a new G35 tranny and it runs about $4,256. I'm sure I can find one cheaper on ebay but I may try to get Infiniti to eat the cost on this because I feel this is a manufacturer issue.

Sorry for the long post but welcome any insight that you may have.

Thanks,

John
 
I wonder if the EX tranny might work a little better.

I'm seriously thinking using the Lemon Law for the car. I may take it to one other dealer to see what they have to say. I already have the 3 required dealer visits to qualify for the Lemon Law.
 
IMO, if you have the time and money, go for the tranny swap. I assume you mean a manual tranny... Some people here have done it with the 1st gen FX with great results. (Great results being a manual FX :biggrin:)
Technically speaking, I THINK the parts are as interchangeable as you implied, but I can't verify personally. I remember with the 1st gen's reading about a slight issue with one of the transmissions being a bit longer than the other, so it will require at least a little custom work.
Good luck!
 
Post Reflash

What are your issues after the multiple reflashes?

fyi: I have an 'original' 2009 FX (by original I mean it came over in the first group of cars in late 2008) and I had the tranny reflashed last summer. It definitely improved the tranny's feel, but I still experience gear searching and occasional numbness when accelerating.

At this point, I have written off my issues as just a poor design of the 7 spd trans by Infiniti, and they have an 'across the board' issue for all sec gen FX'es. Essentially, I think the tranny is responding as it was intended, and nothing is wrong. (Pathetic as it sounds) It was simply designed poorly. I never thought the issue rose to lemon law'ing the vehicle.

Are your issues the same or worse?
 
Hey Jay,

I too have one of the 2008 production batch FXs. The issue I'm experiencing are worse. If I'm in traffic and travelling a speeds less than 40 and then need to suddenly accelerate. It feels like a tubro spooling and sudden jolt of acceleration. At times on local roads I can feel and hear the tranny slip into gear.

It's great driving the car over 40 mph and a nice hwy cruiser (drove it to Houston twice) but local driving with stop and go traffic it's horrible. My wife even noticed it when we switched cars for a week. She actually called Infiniti consumer affairs while she was driving because she was so annoyed.

My co-worker with a G37 sedan had the same complaints I do. We service our cars at the same dealer and they just tell us we have to get used to the 7spd because we both have(I still owe G35 C)/had G35s with 5spd trannys. I think folks new to Infiniti, just feel thats the way the car is supposed to be because they don't have anything else to compare against.

I just don't feel comfortable spending $43K for a car that doesn't perform the way it should.
 
I have an 09 FX35 and mine was manufactured in March 2009 of last year. I zero transmission issues. Everything shifts smooth and endless. No hard downshifts or gear searching whats so ever. I've never had no tranny reflashes either. The gearbox is precise.

This is exactly you never buy the first batches of vehicles.
 
Tranny discussed

ATL_FX35 said:
Hey Jay,

I too have one of the 2008 production batch FXs. The issue I'm experiencing are worse. If I'm in traffic and travelling a speeds less than 40 and then need to suddenly accelerate. It feels like a tubro spooling and sudden jolt of acceleration. At times on local roads I can feel and hear the tranny slip into gear.

It's great driving the car over 40 mph and a nice hwy cruiser (drove it to Houston twice) but local driving with stop and go traffic it's horrible. My wife even noticed it when we switched cars for a week. She actually called Infiniti consumer affairs while she was driving because she was so annoyed.

My co-worker with a G37 sedan had the same complaints I do. We service our cars at the same dealer and they just tell us we have to get used to the 7spd because we both have(I still owe G35 C)/had G35s with 5spd trannys. I think folks new to Infiniti, just feel thats the way the car is supposed to be because they don't have anything else to compare against.

I just don't feel comfortable spending $43K for a car that doesn't perform the way it should.
Click to expand...

Well, let me add that I came from a 2006 FX35 (with sports and touring packages). Believe me, I get it. The difference between the two cars tranny's is night and day, no question. Mine just doesn't bother me much these days, and I have a 3 yr lease so I can turn my car back into Infiniti, in two years. But I agree with your review, city driving is flawed, and anything over 40 mph is fantastic.

I would say, if you have Infiniti consumer services on your side, and they are willing to LL the vehicle, go for it and get into a 2010 model.

btw - Have the 2010 FX drivers / owners reported the same issue as our '09's?
 
I have a 2010 I picked up in December (made in Sept I believe). I notice the lag time in acceleration around 40 in the city. I feel hard down shifts when in rush hour traffic as well, but most of my miles are highway without much traffic. I am debating checking on the re-flash, as what I read it doesn't seem to help much. My dealer said he never heard of anything...09 or 10's.

I can put up with it, as it makes me punch it less in city traffic and avoid tickets. As someone else said, above 40, it kicks in nicely. I had an 06 before, and around town there is quite a difference in throttle response. The way I see it, this is more a "luxury" car cruiser, and highway driving is dreamlike compared to the '06. Take the good and the bad, I guess.

Hezwee
 
I also have a 2010 FX35 and I'm experiencing some of the same issues regarding the transmission. While in city driving under 40 it seems to me the car has already reached the 7th gear. If I need to accelerate it requires a good push on the accelerator to get the car to shift down and accelerate. If I only slightly press on the accelerator the car feels sluggish and numb. I’m not sure what production date but I’ll look later. I got the car 7 days ago.
Hezwee said:
I have a 2010 I picked up in December (made in Sept I believe). I notice the lag time in acceleration around 40 in the city. I feel hard down shifts when in rush hour traffic as well, but most of my miles are highway without much traffic. I am debating checking on the re-flash, as what I read it doesn't seem to help much. My dealer said he never heard of anything...09 or 10's.

I can put up with it, as it makes me punch it less in city traffic and avoid tickets. As someone else said, above 40, it kicks in nicely. I had an 06 before, and around town there is quite a difference in throttle response. The way I see it, this is more a "luxury" car cruiser, and highway driving is dreamlike compared to the '06. Take the good and the bad, I guess.

Hezwee
Click to expand...
 
danen1973,

Those are same issues I have been dealing with. Sometimes it misses a gear and slips into another gear. I just filed a Lemon Law claim. I will keep everyone posted on what Infiniti Corp. will do.
 
I hope they can get this resolved. Let me know how this all turns out for you.
ATL_FX35 said:
danen1973,

Those are same issues I have been dealing with. Sometimes it misses a gear and slips into another gear. I just filed a Lemon Law claim. I will keep everyone posted on what Infiniti Corp. will do.
Click to expand...


---------- Post added at 10:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:39 AM ----------

I read some things that 2010 already had this resolved. Not in my case.
 
I have a 2009 FX35. Mine was built in March 2009. I have not had any reflash or anything like that for the transmission. The tranny to me is flawless. No hard downshifts what so ever! No searching or slipping either. In stop and go it stays in gear as it should until I decide to shift it. Actually compared to many other cars I've driven this is the smoothest tranny I've experienced. Trust me if mine had a tranny issue I would of noticed it a while ago cause I'm anal about stuff and always pay attention to everything.

Good luck guys.
 
They setup an appointment with an Infiniti tech specialist next Wednesday. I'll going to print out all the forum posts about the transmission issue. I found reviews on Edmunds as well with people having problems with the 7spd.
 
I haven't updated this thread in about a month. Well I had the appointment with tech and he stated he felt the odd shifts in my car as well as a G37 sedan he had for about a month.

He told me there is no fix for it right now but they are continuously researching software updates but they sometimes run into a problem with Infiniti mgmt. They may come up with a more agressive shift pattern but if gas mileage numbers are affected, mgmt will not authorize the reflash.

Infiniti denied my replacement/repurchase claim but I moved onto the final set of the lemon law process which is a state supervised arbitration. I'll know in about a month when the date will be.

Whatever happens I will definitely not be keeping this car. At least we still have the G35 coupe to enjoy driving :) (70K on it and no issues).
 
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