At idle - in gear or out?

 

In gear, such as at a stoplight, and while in park.

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There's been some discussion on this:

http://www.pathfindertalk.com/forum/36-electronics/12602-needle-tachometer-fluctuates-when-idle.html

http://www.pathfindertalk.com/forum/10-engine-technical-discussion/2330-idling-rpm.html

 

I had the same problem with mine 2014 paty. They had to reset the idle, then it started doing it randomly. I also had transmission problems, I applied for lemon law and they switched my party for a 2015.

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I've noticed a RPM flutter when in gear and driving. It's a very small flutter, almost more like a twitching of the needle. Was wondering if it was normal with CVT transmissions as this is my first.

 

Mine oscillated a little while cruising at any speed. Dealer first tried to convince me to live with the defect but I didn't budge. Replaced under warranty.
That was a pain since the new one came with more miles than the old one. It took a couple of months to get it right.

 

Taking mine to the dealership tomorrow for the RPM fluttering as well as CVT issues. We'll see what happens.

 

Dealership called and said they performed a software update. Hopefully it improves the issues. Anyone else have experience with having just a software update? 2014 SL w/59k miles.

 

Yeah, that is the first step. The new software changes how the CVT works and also records codes if there is a shudder event.
Going forward, if you experience a shudder and a code is recorded, depending on the code they will replace the valve body or the entire transmission.

 

Yep, that's exactly what the service manager told me. He also confirmed that the warranty has been extended to 84,000 miles. I've driven about 30 miles since the update and haven't felt any major shutter, but it still doesn't feel any smoother.

From service ticket - " CUSTOMER STATES THAT WHEN DRIVING IN 20 MPH TRAFFIC, CUST FEELS A SHUTTER IN VEHICLE LIKE DRIVING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. ALSO STATES THAT THE RPMS HILL FLUCTUATE UP AND DOWN AT STEADY SPEEDS. TCM UPDATE AVAILABLE. UPDATED TCM PER BULLETIN NTB15-014B"

 

From service ticket - " CUSTOMER STATES THAT WHEN DRIVING IN 20 MPH TRAFFIC, CUST FEELS A SHUTTER IN VEHICLE LIKE DRIVING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. ALSO STATES THAT THE RPMS HILL FLUCTUATE UP AND DOWN AT STEADY SPEEDS. TCM UPDATE AVAILABLE. UPDATED TCM PER BULLETIN NTB15-014B"

Software update will do bugger all apart from capture the codes and try to mask the problem, won't fix it because from the sounds of it your CVT is on the way out, the 2013-2016s have a flow control valve in the oil pump that's in the guts of the CVT which is prone to wear. They can swap out a valve body, that might extend out the current CVT a while longer, but eventually the pump valve will f@#k your CVT to the point of no return. It's also something you can't swap out without pulling off the CVT and then removing the bell housing to get at it. (not something you will get Nissan doing)

Have a read of this thread, the more you know, the less BS they can throw at you.

https://www.pathfindertalk.com/foru...orum/10-engine-technical-discussion/34303-pathfinder-cvt-hi-btw.html#post257237

 

Thanks for all the info. It's hasn't improved, as expected, with just the software update. It's scheduled to go back in bright and early tommorow. Not sure how much it takes to throw a code, but we'll see.

 

Nissan didn't find any codes and found no issues on the test drive. I've tried reproducing the shuttering, but mostly it feels like the car is "bouncing" front to back when accelerating steadily at low speeds and bogs down when trying to give it more gas. I'm not sure how to approach it as this point.

 

I've had this too.

I just took mine in for the brake light relay recall, and knock on wood it SEEMS to have improved this.

The computer thinking you were intermittently tapping the brake quickly (if brake relay were faulty) would also cause the throttle to cut out intermittently, hence the RPM sluggishness in stop and go driving, since it thinks you don't need throttle if you're stepping on the brake. I hate that feature, I think it's on all new cars since sometime between my 2010 ford and my 2015 pathfinder though.

My brake lights never came on incorrectly, so maybe just wishful thinking like I said.

 

It might not be the popular judder issue but maybe a torque converter shudder. I'd describe it as surging while cruising and when applying a little throttle. The tach bounces too.

They are pretty good about throwing codes for belt slip but I've had two titans in the last two weeks (I know, not cvt) that surged awfully when warmed up with no codes and putting on like 50 miles of road testing. During normal tc lock up, there shouldn't be any variations in the engine and input shaft speeds unless it's slipping, which was the case for both of these trucks. I replaced the transmission in one last week which fixed it and the data showed a big change before and after, and the second one has the exact issue with a transmission going in next week if approved by the extended warranty company. I've never needed to look at it on a cvt, but the data is likely available if you have a scan tool that can communicate with the tcm.

 

It brings back memories of my early 70's Kawasaki motorcycles. The tach bounced all over the place.

 

Took a road trip of about 180 miles on Saturday.
No shuddering or hesitation. I was shocked.
I thought a multi thousand dollar CVT was going bad so I leased a LEAF for cheap the next two years to slow the aging process of my Pathfinder (good money after bad?). Turns out a $1 brake light switch might have fixed my car, it drove as new!