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[Bojan]

I'm having a problem with automatix gearbox on a '96 omega 2.5 V6.

When I put the gearbox in D, it goes to 3th gear and will not go in any other gear. I can select 1st and 2nd gear manually. And it will not engage 4th gear. Also,I can't engage 'Sport' mode.

When this problem occures, the 'Automatic gearbox' waring comes on BC screen.

What could be the problem?

I do not know when,and if, the box oil and filter where changed.

ps. i would add that this happens when the car is driven for a longer period of time (hour or so) on higher speeds (as it appears).

yesterday, this problem occured after driveing about 50km on open road, today after doing 100km on a motorway.

[MutantCav]

I would suggest checking the transmission fluid is topped up and perhaps changing the filter too as a first point...if it is low then the box could well be overheating a little on longer journeys??

[feeutfo]

service every 60k, 2 sump gaskits filter if you like or clean the old one. 5 or 6 ltrs of dextron 3. First place to start is atf level.
Have a thumb through the maintenance section, guides in there. Hth.

[Bojan]

the gearbox is now constantly in this 'safe mode'.

and one more thing...can this problem with gearbox cause a engine coolant to heat up? because, since it is in 'safe mode', it runs around 95'C and the fan kicks in all the time.

[JamesV6CDX]

Sounds like it's in limp mode. I would start by getting codes read and go from there.

Could be a number of things like the selector switch, solenoids, or even an engine sensor.

Don't forget the engine can ask the gearbox to limp, and vice versa, if something is off limits.

Ensuring the oil level is correct is of course also as essential.

I wouldn't personally bother with an ATF change until further investigation has been done.

[TheBoy]

Before it started going into limp, did it slip excessively?  if so, probably game over.

At what point does the Automatic Gearbox warning come on - with ignition, as soon as you start, or after a distance of driving?

[Bojan]

it would kind of slip when changing from 1st to 2nd. acually, it would seem more as if it would change in 2nd gear, and then jump out of it into neutral.

The waring 'automatic gearbox' comes on after driving longer. But,since yesterday, it is always on. I turn on ignitinon, and it flashes 'Automatic gearbox'.

[TheBoy]

Do the atf change, but driving it with problems may have destroyed the box  

Before writing off gearbox, it may be worth getting the codes read on the gearbox ECU, but I'm guessing some kind of ratio error.

[unlucky alf]

as everybody knows im going through this, what i cant understand is that if the g/box warning comes on without the engine running how does it know if there is a problem mechanically, electrically yes i can understand that due to electrical components [solenoids etc] but with nothing moving i wouldnt have thought it possible :-?

[JezInBrum]

Most likely cause is the ECU storing the faults. You must have a pretty serious one for it to flag up straight away Imo. Deffo needs plugging into Tech2 to read off codes but unless you know someone with access to it factor in the cost of so many plug ins at anout £40 a time into a box replacement. When mine bit the bullet I did a filter change and had tech 2. Tech 2 was inconclusive just gave an open circuit fault. Garage said was an electrical fault but could not pinpoint.
I opted to change the box.no problems since. gasket & filters plus fluid then a tech2 plug in is over £150 and could achieve nothing. End of the day its down to your budget for a diagnosis

[unlucky alf]

i took mine to vauxhalls & they put a tech2 on it, the problem is that it doesnt tell you everything, i changed my g/box & the fault remained [as it still does] , a tech2 is only as good as the person using it, at least vx didnt charge me [thanks vx of worksop ], it seems to me that my problem is signals to the solenoids in the box, im looking now at the ecu as this is where the signals come from,even though as others have said that its unlikely its got to be eliminated from my enquiries,,,,,,p,s im still looking for one folks!

[Bojan]

can a gearbox problem cause engine to heat up?

because, my temp gauge shows higher temps than usual. it is around 95'C, and usually it is a bit over 90'C. Also, the fan kicks in oftenly, even if the temp gauge is under or around 95'C.

This problem occured when the garbox went in 'limp home' mode. 2 days ago, I was driving on motorway, doing about 130kmh, and the temperature was around 91-92'C (it was hot as hell outside), and after 80km of drive, gearbox switched in 3th and went in limp home mode, and few minutes after that, the temperature rise to around 95 and stood there.

[unlucky alf]

yes BOJAN it will, its due to the fact that you are in affect running costantly in 3rd gear, higher revs=hotter engine

[Bojan]

no,i do not tkink that is the case, because it heats while i'm driving in town (2nd and 3th)....and when there is no gearbox problem, the engine temp is quite lower, and no fan kickin in.

one more thing: when in limp home, when i change from 1st to 2nd, it produces quite a kick.

[unlucky alf]

hi BOJAN, when i drove mine home with the same problem it did run a bit hotter, perhaps your manual gearchanges are at higher revs but im guessing, as for that kick that again could be due to you changing gear at higher revs than it would normally, perhaps if you could try it manually when it isnt in limp mode & see if its the same, good luck