About 6 months ago, I received the death code P1778 (stepper motor) in my 2008 Altima. I searched far and wide, low and high, only to be told 2 things... you need a new transmission, or you need a new valve body. Since I didn't have $2500 for a new trans, let alone $800 for the valve body, I decided to look into this further. I watched a youtube video the only one I could find was a Nissan Armada, but I thought, what the hell? I drained the fluid, dropped the pan, yanked out the valve body, and found that little bastard that gave me such trouble.
Now with a part in hand, I went to my local parts store and was told we don't sell that part; it's not even in our system... went to the dealership, told the same thing, and was told I needed to buy a new transmission as they are not "serviceable" funny. Still, I had the part in hand; how could it not be serviceable?
Lastly, I took a gamble; I went to eBay and ordered a stepper motor. 20k miles later, still no code, no whine, and no lock up. Here is how I saved thousands and bought a $35 part.
1)drain fluid.
2)drop pan (clean with brake cleaner)
3)remove the 3 bolts holding the filter. (clean with brake cleaner while you're at it)
4)remove the valve body of about 11 bolts
5)remove the stepper motor from the top of the valve body (the side you can't see with the pan off) 2 bolts
6)replace with the new stepper motor
7)take a piece of dental floss about a foot long and hold the spring-loaded arm back against the stepper motor and return the valve body back to the transmission.
8)after you have a few bolts in place, remove the floss before you tighten them all the way.
9)reconnect the trans filter and bolt it back into place.
10)rejoin the fluid pan to the transmission and replace it with quality CVT fluid. Amsoil makes a great product.
I hope this helps and if you have questions, please feel free to ask.
Now with a part in hand, I went to my local parts store and was told we don't sell that part; it's not even in our system... went to the dealership, told the same thing, and was told I needed to buy a new transmission as they are not "serviceable" funny. Still, I had the part in hand; how could it not be serviceable?
Lastly, I took a gamble; I went to eBay and ordered a stepper motor. 20k miles later, still no code, no whine, and no lock up. Here is how I saved thousands and bought a $35 part.
1)drain fluid.
2)drop pan (clean with brake cleaner)
3)remove the 3 bolts holding the filter. (clean with brake cleaner while you're at it)
4)remove the valve body of about 11 bolts
5)remove the stepper motor from the top of the valve body (the side you can't see with the pan off) 2 bolts
6)replace with the new stepper motor
7)take a piece of dental floss about a foot long and hold the spring-loaded arm back against the stepper motor and return the valve body back to the transmission.
8)after you have a few bolts in place, remove the floss before you tighten them all the way.
9)reconnect the trans filter and bolt it back into place.
10)rejoin the fluid pan to the transmission and replace it with quality CVT fluid. Amsoil makes a great product.
I hope this helps and if you have questions, please feel free to ask.
