Automatic Transmission Problems.

[Kedishen]

Hello

I have a 95 150L 2.5 Td campervan with 4 speed automatic transmission (blame the misses).

On the way back from devon last weekend, the gearbox was unable to change up to 4th gear. The 1st 3 gears were usable, but were not shifting properly at the usual revves.

The box usually shifts:

1-2 @ 15-20mph
2-3 @ 30-35pm
3-4 @ 45-55
depending on engine revves and position of accelerator pedal.

Since the problem my gears shift:

1-2 @ 15-20
2-3 @ 40
Can't go to 4.

There is also a smell of clutch burn, although not bad (at least not as bad as my mum's car after she burnt clutch out)

Anybody know of any common causes and solutions for this that I can combat the mechanic with next thursday? My internet research has turned up not alot and I can't afford an expensive rebuild if he suggests it. I will more likely buy a reconditioned gearbox if needed.

Thanks.

Regards
Scott

As a result of this, I cann't pull up a hill and I cannot keep my speed along flat roads without reving the balls.

[Kedishen]

Additional:

The exhaust broke away from the sub section earlier that weekend. This has now been fixed. I wouldn't have thought it should affect the gearbox unless exhaust gases or summit.. Dunno.

Also, the gearbox has plenty of fluid and is not dirty and doesn't have any black bits in it. The fluid is not red, but nor is it a tired brown colour. It is more of a clear see through sorta colour.

[winterheating]

torque converter gone

[AndyG]

Mileage
Filter last changed @

[Kedishen]

Thank you for the quick responses.

The van has done 58,000 miles.

I have owned the van since 52,000 miles. However, I have looked over the receipts from previous owners and can find no evidence of a gearbox filter change. I can find plenty named "oil filter", but I assume that is for engine oil.

Is a torque converter expensive to change out?

[Kedishen]

Receipts show it had last gear oil change on 25/01/08

[AndyG]

I doubt it's the torque converter (but not ruling it out at this stage) however it does sound like low oil pressure

The box is extremely heavy and the (almost) 2 gallons of oil it holds, doesn't help

If you have access to a dolly that will take the weight, it's almost as straight forward to remove as a manual box

[AndyG]

You might want to start with removing and cleaning (with a can of carb cleaner) the pressure solenoid which has 2 tiny gauze filters that the oil passes through first and see how it goes

[Kedishen]

Thanks for the info.

Sorry to sound dumb but I have no practical experience with engines. I can do things like filters, timing belts etc, but gearboxes have always been a weakness of mine. I have however bought a Haynes diesel manual from Amazon which I hope will details the automatic gearbox.

Until it arrives, I am sat on my hands doing nothing. May I request a short description of where I can find the pressure solenoid? And does it require me to fiddle around with anything on the gearbox?

Thank you for your help.

[winterheating]

can old oil not give burning smell

[AndyG]

The pressure solenoid is located here

It is clamped in with just a 10mm bolt and yes, you will lose oil when you remove it, so have a clean container ready

[AndyG]

And here's one I made earlier


IF you're very careful, you can actually remove the micro filters from the solenoid unit, and give them and the solenoid a good spraying

[Kedishen]

I will do my best not to mess anything up. As the van is rear wheel drive, I have read the gearbox is mounted underneath the engine. It is dark right now, but when I get underneath tomorrow, will it be clearly visible?

Is there anything else you think I should do whilst I am trying this? I have an array of useful tools, but nothing specialist. I also live very close to a trade centre. Should I change oil and filter as well?

Thank you for the advice.

[Kedishen]

Thanks for the picture. This will help me a great deal.

Is there anything I should be looking out for as possible snags and damage I may cause?

Also, are these solenoids cheap? Does it matter if I don't use ford genuine parts? I have a partco down the road from me.

[AndyG]

IMPORTANT NOTE

Clean surrounding area first, and don't allow so much as a spec of dirt/grit get into the box