Community Member Credit: Benzolorenzo1

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 a little further. watched a YouTube video the only one I could find was a Nissan armada, but 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 part in hand I went to my local parts store, and told we don’t sell that part, its 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 but I had the part in hand, how can it be not serviceable?

Lastly I took a gamble, I went to eBay, ordered a stepper motor. 20k miles later, still no code, no whine, and no lock up.

Part Number: 203452A
Description: JF011E RE0F10E F1CJA Transmission CVT Stepper Motor For SENTRAN Nissan Dodge Refurbished
Price: $30-$40

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 filter. (clean with brake cleaner while your at it)
4. Remove the valve body 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 found here https://www.ebay.com/itm/282288900117 or https://www.ebay.com/itm/183910578995
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 all the way.
9. Reconnect trans filter and bolt back into place.
10. Rejoin the fluid pan to the transmission and replace with quality CVT fluid. Amsoil makes a great product.

I hope this helps and if you have questions please feel free to ask.

Video How-to (Many thanks to Budget Drift for this)