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Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: copcar_omega on 06 February 2009, 00:42:04

Title: Auto drops into low gear at speed
Post by: copcar_omega on 06 February 2009, 00:42:04
Hi All. I'm new and this forum is a real find. I'd really appreciate any help with a problem on my 2.6 autobox.
When I get to 3rd gear/approx 40mph, the box shifts to a very low gear with high revs. It then clunks hard into the correct gear for a short time and then it happens again.
When I stop and restart the engine, the autobox dash warning light clears and the process repeats itself. When the issue first appeared 4 months ago I had 2 solenoids replaced but the problem has reappeared after 3 months of good driving. My local mechanic says he's suspicious that the Auto specialist didn't just clean the gearbox selector switch and top up the transmission fluid. Hence the reappearance of the problem so soon.
Any thoughts gratefully received! Thanks, J.
Title: Re: Auto drops into low gear at speed
Post by: feeutfo on 06 February 2009, 01:37:25
anything over 60k, change the atf and clean/replace the filter. Guide in maintenance section for top up, remove both sumps 6 or 7 litres of dexron3 2 gaskits or black instant gaskit. This is standard for any any issues, esp thumping, erratic changes are a worry but at least its not slipping which is usually new box time. But dont panic, breakers on here usually have an ar35 kicking around for fair money if you need one. Hth
Title: Re: Auto drops into low gear at speed
Post by: copcar_omega on 06 February 2009, 12:13:09
Thanks. Fortunately I've got a good cheap mechanic who can do this. I've passed on the instructions from elsewhere on this forum. Thanks for the "Don't panic" advice. I'll come back with the results. :)
Title: Re: Auto drops into low gear at speed
Post by: feeutfo on 06 February 2009, 12:37:15
also if the atf change does not help, then it really needs to a tech2 session to see what is upsetting it.
So fill in your profile with you location and we may be able to direct you to a tech2 owning member on here, they know how to use it and is the cheapest option. Avoid the dealers, but you know that.
Title: Re: Auto drops into low gear at speed
Post by: Kevin Wood on 06 February 2009, 12:52:15
Sounds to me like an electrical problem. Maybe a poor connection to one of the solenoids or a selectro switch issue. Would be good to get a Tech 2 on it as I'm sure the ECU will contain a fault code that will identify the problem.

Where are you located?

Kevin
Title: Re: Auto drops into low gear at speed
Post by: copcar_omega on 06 February 2009, 17:57:39
Cheers Kevin and chrisgixer. I'm in Dublin, Ireland. My mechanic says he can get codes off the car next Monday. I presume he has a TechII like code reader. Also, my car has had an illustrious career! It was the escort car for our Prime Minister. Used to see it outside his constituency  office. I presume it was driven pretty hard when going, but otherwise spent most of it's life at idle keeping a couple of coppers warm. It was really cheap, but now I know why!! Also, it gives a puff of pale smoke on startup, but I can live with that.
Title: Re: Auto drops into low gear at speed
Post by: Seth on 06 February 2009, 19:05:39
The puff of smoke on start-up is probably no more than valve stem oil seals need changing.
Title: Re: Auto drops into low gear at speed
Post by: viking88 on 06 February 2009, 21:27:47
hi i'm also new and im having the same problem. also it acts as if its selected nuteral then clunks into gear and the light with the car and spanner comes on,it goes into safe mode and i have to turn the motor off to reset it. any help on this matter will be greatly appreciated. :y
Title: Re: Auto drops into low gear at speed
Post by: Kevin Wood on 06 February 2009, 23:15:25
Quote
hi i'm also new and im having the same problem. also it acts as if its selected nuteral then clunks into gear and the light with the car and spanner comes on,it goes into safe mode and i have to turn the motor off to reset it. any help on this matter will be greatly appreciated. :y

This does sound more like a low / dirty fluid or gearbox problem. Worth trying a top-up if the level hasn't been checked recently and, while you're at it, suck a bit of the old fluid out and see if it has any debris in.

Kevin
Title: Re: Auto drops into low gear at speed
Post by: feeutfo on 06 February 2009, 23:20:36
Quote
hi i'm also new and im having the same problem. also it acts as if its selected nuteral then clunks into gear and the light with the car and spanner comes on,it goes into safe mode and i have to turn the motor off to reset it. any help on this matter will be greatly appreciated. :y
Same for you imho, service the gear box oil and filter and go from there. If i read your post correctly you dont have random gear selection, just slow to select a gear which eventually engages with a thump?


Title: Re: Auto drops into low gear at speed
Post by: viking88 on 07 February 2009, 15:38:34
cheers for that :y it does somtimes drop down a gear when it feels like it then bangs back into the right gear causing it to go into safe mode... :'(
Title: Re: Auto drops into low gear at speed
Post by: viking88 on 26 February 2009, 16:24:31
turned out to be the overdrive was shagged along with some other bits. :'( :(
Title: Re: Auto drops into low gear at speed
Post by: Radar on 26 February 2009, 21:21:22
It might be worth checking you have latest software for the autobox