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[okmat]

Hi - I need advice on the following - I have a 3.2V6 Auto 2003 model 52000 miles - On Monday i was driving along at 50MPH in Drive when the rev counter shot up to 6k revs and the engine screamed out! I pulled up and everything seemed to be fine no error lights etc - So I pulled away again in drive only to find the gears were only getting to 2nd even when trying to change manually to 3rd / Drive. So I limped home at 25/30MPH and after about 5 miles on came the engine managment light / orange !  - When at home I turned it off and tried again the same continued to happen. So I booked it into a Vauxhall Dealer for Tuesday morning - on the way there it even though in Drive it wouldn't change higher than 2nd gear all the warning lights had gone.
Now 3 days its been with the Vauxhall dealer who cannot identify the issue "Lots of different unknown error codes" according to them they have never seen this issue before! I have asked them to contact Vauxhall Technical and they seem reluctant more interested in pushing and pulling at the electronics in the car!
Does anyone have any suggestions as to the fault / fix? I am running out of patience with the dealer who cant get their story straight or even bother to call me back.
Thanks

[Elite Pete]

I dont want to worry you, but I had a 3.2 Elite last year. I bought it with a faulty gearbox ECU which Vauxhall had diagnosed.The symptoms were the same as yours, it turned out to be the a faulty gearbox. The car had covered alot of milage though, so it wasn't a surprise.

[TheBoy]

Does point towards gearbox.

Now I wouldn't be getting them useless rather dealers looking at it, but I'd be checking atf fluid level and condition.

[okmat]

Assuming it is the gearbox is there any recourse to Vauxhall on a car that has covered only 52k and is 4 and half years old?

[TheBoy]

Assuming it is the gearbox is there any recourse to Vauxhall on a car that has covered only 52k and is 4 and half years old?

Unlikely, but could always try, no harm in that.

IME, they only fail if the atf is abused, wondering if yours has been run low.  As said, worth topping up for £20...  ...if that significantly improves things, change the ATF and filter.

[Richard A]

Which dealer, where ?
regards
richard a

[Richard A]

Thanks, I'll have a word with Luton.
regards
richard a

[JezInBrum]

I think the only chance you have of getting anything fromvauxhall is if the servicing has been carried out to the letter with receipts to show this. Even if a car has been thrashed a gearbox should last longer than that particularly with the auto's.
I am about to replace a box on one of mine that has covered 62k, thats 10yrs old. Piss poor really.
I would also steer clear of the plug in merchants as everytime they plug in tech2 it will cost.
If you are after a proper diagnosis I would suggest you try & locate a reputable auto box specialist in your area, but again this costs.
Good luck

[FRE07962128]

....and I would end after all that great advice that you have to watch how much time Vx are spending on your car to establish what is wrong.

Are they charging their usual £75 per hour rate?  Watch and question them closely is my advice.  

[VX1]

Vauxhall tend to not understand how the autobox works therefore they will say anything to you. There technicians do not like to have anything to do with gearbox's (manual or Auto) and they won't even replace them or really do any form of diagnosis.

My local dealer here in Reading pass all there gearbox problems to the local gearbox specialist which diagnose the faults. Your best bet, as lizzie zoom has suggested, use a repitable gearbox specialist much safer but as stated before can be costly.

Paul

[okmat]

Vauxhall Dealer has called this evening and surprise confirmed the Gearbox has failed - nothing they can do for it / cant even supply a replacement one as they dont have any anymore!

He has also suggested an auto specialist and has at my request logged my concerns with Vauxhall with regards to a 52k - 4 and half year old car effectively being resigned to the scrapyard because of very early gearbox failure.

They did do away with any 'investigation' charges so when I pick it up tomorrow it won't cost a penny and I can 'limp' home again

I am gutted this has been the best Omega I have ever owned and for 3+ years has had no issues what so ever  

Thanks all for your advice / suggestions

[albitz]

as said,top up atf and see if it helps.if it does do a fluid/filter change.if you fill in your location someone maybe near you who can help. there are 2 admins who have tech2 (and unlike some vx dealers,know how to use them).if the box is kaput you could probably get a known good one ,possibly for as little as £100.there may even be someone on the forum selling one at the moment .so dont give up in despair.

[VX1]

Okmat, I have just looked on this site and they have 3 omegas in stock and they are 3.2 v6.

http://www.megavaux.co.uk/Vehicle.aspx?Reg=Y737ORO

Paul  

[Richard A]

As suggested, get it home then change the auto fluid and filter (filter & gaskets from Dave Kember, Autobahnstorers £30 + postage), make sure you only use Dexron 3.
regards
richard a

[okmat]

I have collected my car now and it's resting on my driveway  

I have spoken to a Auto Transmission specialist in farnborough who will take a look at it tomorrow if I can get it over there (Not sure what further damage can be caused in 2nd gear? apart from annoying other drivers at 25mph)

I would love to be able to change the fluid / Filters but I wouldn't know where to start really but the specialist did say he would drain some fluid and check its condition as well?

I have a case logged with Luton to understand their thoughts on the gearbox failing so early in life but to be honest dont think they will come through really.

I have been checking my Vauxhall Service history and it says the Auto Transmission fluid should be checked / changed at 40k / 4years - I have looked at my copy from the last service at 45k (Nov07) and this has not been ticked which I take as not being completed? any ideas on this anyone? (Have I understood the schedule correctly?)

Thanks