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[John Lewis]

Hiyall

I've been suffering with this for a year, and not had the time or dough to sort it. I've asked many questions but I just wanna know if its worth fixing or running into the ground and breaking.

My gearbox is s**t (AR25) - is it the torque converter, or just a dying box?

Symptoms:
Driving along at 30-40 in D, car slips out of gear, whack it in 3rd, clunks back in, and I mean CLUNKS. It only happens level or downhill, uphill is fine. If you don't switch gears quick enough, display says 'Automatic Gearbox', cue limp home mode until ignition is cycled.

Sometimes EML comes on, and car grumbles before accelerating at about 70% of usual power, performance is rubbish. When you get to the top of the revs on a dual carriageway (only when EML on) it sticks at the gear change, going DING DING DING DING!! then ease off the pedal a tad, it changes gear. Drive the car for 1/4 mile then turn off and on, and EML goes out, performance is back, no gears sticking whatsoever.

WTF!!!

So do you reckon its a complete gbox change or can anyone nail this to a particular problem?

Also can a gbox fault cause the EML light to come on? Its always when you start the car never during operation.

Anyone?

[HerefordElite]

most AR probs are due to low oil (and lack of dip stick to easily check) if you've been driving it for a while like this it'll do it no favours :-/

mine used to clunk like a biatch when pulling out of junctions but then topped it up and it was ok - you might be lucky.

many more experienced with Autobox probs on here and i'm sure they might be along soon

[RobG]

Paperclip it and see if any faults are thrown up. When you experience the probs have you noticed if all led`s illuminate on selector panel. :question

[John Lewis]

Nope I changed the selector switch already, and I've topped up the box which was pretty dry when I got it. Will paperclip this arvo. The cam sensor was the only fault that came up last time, which had been replaced (albeit with a Siemens one duhh).

So *can* a gearbox fault light up the EML on the dash? In theory?

Starting to think a new box is the only solution but if there's a mid-priced remedy I can try first, all the better.

Cheers in advance guys  

[Gaffers]

sounds like either the dredded thrust-washer problem or that it was fubarred by having too little ATF in the box for a while or both.... :-/

[johnnycboy]

try topping up again, also look at the colour of the atf, if its brown, try replacing oil to start with.  from the experience i've had in the past 3 months its probably fubarred.  I had similar problems lack of drive after accelrating and clunking into 3rd.  changed the box in the end. not to put a dampner on it, i have only had this car since august and i'm on my turd ar35. so fingers crossed.  
as said though try topping up again you might be lucky.  hth

as from memory also you cant paper clip gearbox ecu, i may be wrong though.

[Varche]

That sounds like thrust washer problems.

You haven't said how many miles the box has done - 120k ? perchance.

You could try a change of fluid.

If you do decide to get another gearbox you will need someone else to help you with the job.

It might sound a bit perverse  but it might be easier to flog your car in an honest ad and buy another unless the rest is in A1 condition.

varche

[unlucky alf]

if in doubt i would [& have] fit an AR35, for all the time youll spend & money you could get a stronger box fitted & be sorted, seem to be reasonably priced at the moment for a good 2nd hand unit & just as well to get it with the t/c & fit that also

[feeutfo]

from my education on here, ar25(250nm) is boarder line for the power it will take through it. For instance chipping a Diesel will over power the already boarder line ar25 and fry the box in no time, fitting an ar35(350nm of torque) is the only option there. Have hurd tell of some engine faults causing box issues, some of which will bring the light on, which will mean a code stored, so worth a p clip test.
However, the paper clip test only reads the engine ecu, so for a "full" diagnostic you need tech2 and an operator who can use it, so dont bother with a dealer, they will just blame the ecu or something expensive and empty your wallet. But you knew that.
Breakers on here do ar35s for fair money so dont panic. Hth

[albitz]

Markey Mark was selling a couple of AR35 boxes recently for around £50 apiece,so as chris said you wont have to lay out a load of money.
Its not particularily difficult to change the box,just bloody heavy - a 2 man job really.