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[unicus]

My wife had experienced a problem with the automatic gearbox though her description wasn’t the best but I’ve now experienced it so it needs sorting

What happens is this; when the gearbox goes to change up a gear it seems to get stuck in between gears and the engine revs up, then when the gear engages (with a bump) it displays ‘AUTOMATIC GEARBOX’ and goes into safe mode, i.e. high gear and manually having to change down.

So today I went to check the ATF. I drove it to warm it up then parked on the drive, jacked it up, remove filler bolt, lowered it down to level – doh! forgot to restart the engine, oil pours out   – jack back up quickly, start engine then lower car. Now no oil is coming out so I jack-up then top-up several times until it’s at the right level. Unfortunately I don’t know if the level was right (as it is now) but I do know from the black stain on my drive that the ATF is very dirty. Could that fact alone be the cause of my problem?

If it is what sort of cost is it to a) buy parts (ATF, filter, gasket) and where from (online, around Nottingham), b) get it done somewhere (again around Nottingham). My limited home facilities means it would be difficult to do here; but if the difference is a lot I’ll manage at home  

If the problem’s something else I have a good automatic gearbox on my other miggy (with a poorly engine), how difficult are they to replace? Doubt I can do it at home though

Cheers.

[RonaldMcBurger]

Going into 'neutral' between changes is not great. BUT it may well just need a fluid change. In Nottingham, Evans Halshaw or Pentagon will do the gaskets (both) and the Filter. ATF is Dexron III and will cost about £20 for 5 litres. You will need a bit more than 5.

Basically involves dropping both sumps and cleaning them, especially the bigger one which has a magnet to catch swarf. The filter is 3 13mm bolts and should ideally be replaced, otherwise throughly clened and dried.

CLEANLINESS IS VITAL ON THIS JOB. No room for grease or grime in these boxes.

SImple enough job, though a little messy if you spill the ATF.

What is wrong with the engine and where in Nottingham are you?

[TheBoy]

£38 delivered for filter and gaskets (jpat), £20 for 5l Dexron III (Halfords), need about 8l

[Andy B]

.......
 £20 for 5l Dexron III (Halfords), need about 8l

  Buggar!  I only bought 5 last week.

[TheBoy]

.......
 £20 for 5l Dexron III (Halfords), need about 8l

  Buggar!  I only bought 5 last week.

May get away with 7...

[Andy B]

.......
 £20 for 5l Dexron III (Halfords), need about 8l

  Buggar!  I only bought 5 last week.

May get away with 7...

  Still need to buy more though!  

[unicus]

Some more info; If I notice that it's about to 'bump' into gear and I let my foot off the throttle it will change gear without going into safe mode. And now after replacing about a litre of ATF earlier I've done about 40 miles tonight and it's not gone into safe mode though it nearly did twice. I'm hoping this is a sign that changing the ATF will cure it.

Looking back at the services that it's had and all the receipts that came with it there is only one suspect reference to it having anything done with the ATF (£26 at a garage with no details...hmmm) and the cars done 130K - I think it's due for a change, just hope there's no damage inside.

What is wrong with the engine and where in Nottingham are you?

My other miggy is a 2.0 16v GLS and the engine is partly seized I don't have the time or facilities to do anything with it so it'll be going for spares/repairs soon. Shame as I'd just had the bodywork done.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Before removing the rear sump, remove the front one.....I suspect a failed auto box thrust washer.

[Marie]

hi,

[Marie]

sorry bout that,

anyway i had problems with my gearbox, we found water in the sump. we replaced all the seals and the filter got her going again and she works just fine now.  we think the water was from the floods as there is no signs of leaks anywhere and i have not had to top up the rad at all.

The garage charged me just shy of £200 quid, would have done it myself but i needed the car the next day to drive down south (200 miles) so she got a good test drive.

good luck sure it will be fine.

[unicus]

Before removing the rear sump, remove the front one.....I suspect a failed auto box thrust washer.

So I take it that the remains of a broken thrust washer end up in the front sump. Is it easy to spot? And if there is nothing in there could I take it that the thrust washer is OK?

[unicus]

The garage charged me just shy of £200 quid, would have done it myself but i needed the car the next day to drive down south (200 miles) so she got a good test drive.

I'm not in a rush so if it's that much I'll do it myself [/scrooge]  

[TheBoy]

Before removing the rear sump, remove the front one.....I suspect a failed auto box thrust washer.

Seems to be mainly 3.0 with that prob?



The thrust washer will be immediately obvious, little orange ring, about 2" diameter...