Service Procedure

There are two separate Service Procedures depending on the vehicle model:

^ 2000 Frontier with A/T and KA24DE Engine

^ 2000 Frontier/Xterra with A/T and VG33E Engine

Use the Service Procedure that is applicable to the vehicle you are working on.

2000 Frontier with A/T and KA24DE Engine

1. Make sure the A/T shift selector is placed in the "P" (Park) position.

2. Firmly apply the parking brake.





3. Raise the vehicle and remove the old A/T shift cable lock plate by pulling it off with a pair of pliers (see Figure 1).





4. Insert the new A/T shift cable lock plate into the shift cable groove, then lightly tap it with a punch/drift and hammer until the lock plate is fully seated (see Figure 2). Make sure the lock plate is correctly oriented and that both sides (legs) of the lock plate are inserted in the shift cable groove (see Figure 2).





5. Confirm proper A/T shift selector operation as follows (refer to Figure 3):

A. Make sure the shift selector is in the "P" (Park) position.

B. Start the engine and let it idle.

C. With your foot on the brake pedal move the shift selector to the "1" (first gear) position and confirm the gear engages.

D. With your foot on the brake pedal move the shift selector to the "R" (reverse gear) position and confirm the gear engages.

E. Move the shift selector to the "P" position and turn the ignition switch to the "OFF" (not locked) position.

F. Move the shift selector from the "P" position to the "1" position and confirm the selector moves smoothly and that the detents can be felt in each position. If the detents cannot be felt and/or the pointer, indicating the shift selector position, is improperly aligned, the linkage needs adjustment. Refer to the AT section of the applicable Service Manual for the adjustment procedure.

2000 Frontier / Xterra with A/T and VG33E Engine

1. Make sure the All shift selector is placed in the "P" (Park) position.

2. Firmly apply the parking brake.

3. Raise the vehicle.





4. if equipped, remove the heat shield located between the passenger side catalytic converter and the transmission (see Figure 4).





5. Use a screwdriver to remove the old A/T shift cable lock plate (see Figure 5).

NOTE:
If the old lock plate was installed from the top, use a screwdriver and hammer to drive it out from the bottom.





6. Insert the new A/T shift cable lock plate into the shift cable groove, then use a long screwdriver or prybar to press the lock plate into position (see Figure 6). Make sure the lock plate is correctly oriented and that both sides (legs) of the lock plate are inserted in the shift cable groove (see Figure 6).





7. If previously removed, re-install the heat shield making sure it is properly installed so as to prevent a rattle noise.

8. Confirm proper A/T shift selector operation as follows (refer to Figure 7):

A. Make sure the shift selector is in the "P" (Park) position.

B. Start the engine and let it idle.

C. With your foot on the brake pedal move the shift selector to the "1" (first gear) position and confirm the gear engages.

D. With your foot on the brake pedal move the shift selector to the "R" (reverse gear) position and confirm the gear engages.

E. Move the shift selector to the "P" position and turn the ignition switch to the "OFF" (not locked) position.

F. Move the shift selector from the "P" position to the "1" position and confirm the selector moves smoothly and that the detents can be felt in each position. If the detents cannot be felt and/or the pointer, indicating the shift selector position, is improperly aligned, the linkage needs adjustment. Refer to the AT section of the applicable Service Manual for the adjustment procedure.