gears transmision probs

[steve vanman]

steve vanman here for advice for my 97 turbo deisel automatic, my problem is that, when I put it into drive it goes,very slowly but picks up speed but stays in first gear, if you stop it doesnt stay in gear until you switch off the ignition and wait a minute. I dont think its the gear box as, there is no grinding noises and reverses. The transmission fluid is up, ive tried the test described in one of the advice columns foot on brake, press accelerator. The revs go up to 1500. still low I wonder if its the torque converter. ive also researched on the net about a drive train module I would like to take it to the auto electricians the nearest is 20 miles away at 20mph plus I dont want to bugger anything else up. If anyone has any ideas cause I'm sti,[ed
awaiting reply
steve vanman

[madmark]

steeve you have the same problem as i had with my 99auto, its a sticky govener in the rear of the box, mine would go into first all the way up the road and the only way to change gear is to use the gears manualy 1 then into 2 then into 3 , i tried everywere to get it sorted but it was gona cost £1000 to sort so i had to sell the van!

[steve vanman]

so basically i need a new gearbox or is ther anything i can do to at least free it up temporerily so i can off load it,thanks for the reply though ,atleast its saved me time chasing up nice news,im off to get pi**ed!

[madmark]

mate you can try changeing the oil , its a horrid job but it might do the trick,the gearboxes in the auto are a nightmere,its such a shame as when they are working there are exelent to drive!
i didnt want to sell mine but it owed me to much aS it was and when i looked undernieth it and saw all the rust on the chassis i got out wile i could! the only otherway is go manual but that another nightmere to sort out!
the a4ld gearbox was nothing but trouble in any car! let alone a transit!

[steve vanman]

madmark thanks for the info ill give the oil change a go,do you think thers any aditive i could throw in as well that might help ,

[madmark]

steve i did try some myself but didnt make any difrents! good luck with it let me know how you get on! also prepiar to get very messy dooing the oil change! you need to take the sump of the gearbox down!

[Terry]

Hi
I have the A4LDE in my Scorpio, if you are gonna change the oil.
Dont use any additives,
Do use a new filter (£20)
Do make sure you use Dextron 2 oil.
Do make sure when you fill it to get it to the correct level.
(add oil till you think you are near, run it get it good and warm,
then go through the gears at leats 3 times, then check level.)

These boxes are ultra sensitive to oil !

[steve vanman]

thanks for the tips ,one thing that bothers me though is if i do manage to free it up will it be more prone to sticking again ,the reason im asking this is i travel alot for work and ozz bush isnt to forgiving if it happens to go again,have you heard of anyone who had the same problem and got away with it,anyhow ill give it a go and let you know how i got on thanks again for your help

[MrMPuk]

Does the van change if you put it into a gear rather than D?

[rover]

I know you are probably either pissed or in bed by now seein as it 2.30ish your time, or is it 3.30ish? I can never remember

Anyhow, changing the oil is a good cheap start, but theres an easier way to do a part oil change just to see if it makes any difference, just drop the prop off its centre mount and pull it out of the back of the box, then drop the four bolts out of the gearbox crossmember and lower it down on a jack and leave it for a couple of hours, you will get about 5litres out of it that way and more if you can get the front end of the van up in the air.

It has to be worth a shot.

If the box is knackered its not the end of it as Auto-boxes are ten a penny over there anyway, it may take some research but I would have thought one of the borg-warner boxes from a Falcon wouldnt need too much adapting.

Also there are a few members of this forum from Perth and Surrounding areas who may be able to point you in the right direction for spares.


Rover.

[AndyG]

Just seen this
Welcome steve vanman

Firstly how are you checking your oil level
It needs to be checked warm/hot engine running and immeadeatly after going through all the selector range twice, pausing in each range for a second, finishing in park

The symptoms you describe are that of typically low oil level (possibly even a blocked filter!)

The 1500rpm does sound a bit low to me but I can confirm this tommorow when try it on mine (is the engine in 'limp home mode by any chance
)

What colour is the oil and does it smell like sh*t

And as already mentioned, these boxes are sensitive to incorrect oil, so be sure before you pour any old ATF in it

I nearly forgot to add that @ 1500rpm it's not the converter

[MrMPuk]

Also are we sure this is the A4ld box?

[AndyG]

Also are we sure this is the A4ld box?

Good point But all the above is still valid just the same

Let's get it right A4lde (as apposed to A4ld and A4ldE)

[MrMPuk]

No I ment, it might be a completly different box, they do have 4.1 straight 6s and things as options down there. I know they only ever had the option of turbo Di so who knows what else might be different!

[AndyG]

No I ment, it might be a completly different box, they do have 4.1 straight 6s and things as options down there. I know they only ever had the option of turbo Di so who knows what else might be different!

Oh yeah I do know what you mean, hence the

It's just that I'm getting technical in my old age and like to differentiate between the "three" A4lds