XTrail Transfer Case Limp Mode

My 2001 Nissan XTrail with a gasoline engine is acting up. It feels like it's stuck in transfer case limp mode, with unclean shifts and gearbox slippage. Diagnostics point to possible ABS faults. Could the ABS, traction control, and powertrain control module be causing this 'limp home' state? Has anyone seen this, especially with those systems interacting? The gear selector seems fine.

4 comment(s)

I had a similar problem with my old Volvo V70. It wasn't exactly the same, but it also involved the gearbox acting up and some weird shifting. Do you have any warning lights on the dash related to the ABS or traction control?

Yes, the traction control light comes on sometimes when the gearbox acts up. What happened with your Volvo? Was it the ABS module?

On the Volvo, the ABS module was throwing some shadow codes that were messing with the transmission control. It might be worth getting a full diagnostic scan. It sounds like you're on the right track, but honestly, these kinds of things can be tricky and it is best left to professionals.

Turns out it was the ABS causing the problem. Recalibrating some modules fixed it, and it didn't cost me anything.

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