Fairfield-Echo

Q The first shift of the automatic transmission in my Nissan Maxima has become hard. It's been this way for about a year. Recently I had the fluid flushed. This cured the trouble for about three months, but now the trouble has returned.

If I continue to drive with this problem will it cause damage? B.E., e-mail.

A The condition could cause damage depending upon the severity of the harsh shift. This is a symptom that hydraulic pressure is not under control. There may be a computer glitch that requires an update. Perhaps there is a part within the valve body that is not functioning as designed or perhaps a passage or seal in the transmission has excessive wear.

Ask an experienced technician to perform computer and hydraulic tests. The results of testing will determine the repair. The repair may be as simple as reprogramming a computer or more complex, but if a technician suggests an overhaul, seek a second opinion from a

technician at another repair shop.

Dissatisfied with repair shop

QMy daughter has a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. Recently we were at a repair shop where we were told that the brake fluid needs a flush. A shop person said it should be done every two years because it becomes acidic. The cost to have the fluid flushed was $75. I have never heard of this and was reluctant to have the service performed, but I authorized the work.

A little while later a mechanic came from the shop to alert us to an oil leak at the crankshaft. He took me to the car to show me the leak but no leak was visible. He said that the oil was leaking under a cover. I didn't authorize this work. At home I examined the ground where the car is always parked and there wasn't any oil. Do you think the shop should be reported to the Better Business Bureau? E.M., E-mail.

A A brake fluid flush should take place when the brakes are replaced. In your vehicle it's not a factory-recommended service that is based upon a specific time and mileage maintenance schedule. Also, some shops will test the brake fluid to determine if a flush is needed.

As for the crankshaft oil leak, if the technician couldn't demonstrate a dripping oil leak, it's not necessary to fix a leak. This is especially true in your case, because you didn't find any oil on the ground of your daughter's parking space. Since this seems to be a case of trying to sell you unnecessary repairs consider filing a complaint.

Poor connection knocks out 4 devices

QI hope you can help. The air conditioner fan motor, four-wheel-drive, radio and windshield wipers intermittently do not work in my truck. I took the vehicle to my mechanic. He plugged in his computer to diagnose the trouble but everything checked OK because everything was working properly at the time of his test. What do you think is wrong? R.A., E-mail.

A It's difficult to find the cause of such a problem when everything is working as designed. It's likely there is a common connection between all of these devices. More than likely there is a faulty ground connection. It may be loose or suffering from corrosion.

To find the cause a technician needs to examine a wiring schematic to determine common connections. Once he does this he can check the connections for security and corrosion. This will take time but once this is accomplished the repair likely will take a few minutes.