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        General >> Problems >> A problem with the auto gearbox ...
        
(Message started by: RobRob on Sep 4^th, 2006, 8:27am)

Title: A problem with the auto gearbox ...
Post by RobRob on Sep 4^th, 2006, 8:27am

Hi

I bought my Scorpio (1998 Ghia 2.3) about two months ago. Since then, occassionally when cold it takes a while to go into first/reverse gear (and drops out at traffic lights so have to rev it a little for it to go back in). Also, two or three times it has strong "judders" when in reverse, when cold again. The fluid is reddish, though it was low when I bought the car (I've topped it up). Anyone know what this is?

Fault finder would perhaps indicate solenoids - how can these be changed/how much etc? Can't find instructions where these are etc.!

Thanks for any help or ideas!

Title: Re: A problem with the auto gearbox ...
Post by Baw_Flinger on Sep 4^th, 2006, 11:24am

Before checking the solanoids, I would get an OBD scan and clean your MAF. This would confirm whether one of those are at fault. Solanoid removal is straight forward, in that the box does not need to be dropped out but is a good few hours work and would cost you parhaps £200 at a good mechanics. Loss of drive in first and poor performance in rev is not a good sign. Try selecting 2 until drive engages then into D, does this improve things to normal?

Title: Re: A problem with the auto gearbox ...
Post by RobRob on Sep 5^th, 2006, 9:40pm

Thanks - think I'll try that cleaning the MAF first - something I can do. Yes - when doesn't get drive (feels like has shifted into neutral) I move to "1" or "2" on the gearbox and usually gets a gear. Funnily enough, I don't mind this problem too much as I'm using my Scorpio once or twice a month and often for 200miles + runs so a couple of minutes waiting for warmup is okay. Just hope this isn't going to go terminal ...

Title: Re: A problem with the auto gearbox ...
Post by howiedintheplace on Sep 5^th, 2006, 10:01pm

Well it sounds like it needs a new filter & a oil change to me. Or the level is still low.

Problems when cold is classic symtoms, once warm it's usally O.K.

If solinoids it would do it all/most of the time.

Title: Re: A problem with the auto gearbox ...
Post by Baw_Flinger on Sep 6^th, 2006, 7:59am

I had the same problem but was un related to oil etc. It lasted a couple of months (popping into 2 then D) before I started to loose drive completly, in the end I got a second hand box put in (I needed one anyway as the break bands in 2nd were shot and it reved and thumped into 3rd). But as the man says above, do a full oil and filter change and hopefully will be as good as new.

Title: Re: A problem with the auto gearbox ...
Post by shaun on Sep 6^th, 2006, 9:12pm

[quote author=howiedintheplace
Or the level is still low.

Problems when cold is classic symtoms, once warm it's usally O.K.

If solinoids it would do it all/most of the time.[/quote]
[]the same thing happend to a ::) frends car, found a pin hole in the gear box pipes .only lost fluid when driven under strain like hills or towing ,, get car worm move thrugh the gears 1 at a time from p then r then n then d ,do this about 4 times with engine running,pul the dip stick out and then check the levels ,

Title: Re: A problem with the auto gearbox ...
Post by TiberiuS on Sep 6^th, 2006, 10:24pm

Had to have a new 'box on my car, it used to jolt slightly into 2nd and clunk into 3rd, if I used to warm the car up gently on local roads and switch off for 5 mins, it'd behave quite nicely until the next cold start. After I had it MOT'd last year, the condition of the 'box deteriorated badly and I had to get it done. A couple of weeks before I had it done, I was pulling out of a turning one night when it gave such a loud thump changing into 3rd that a bloke walking down the road looked around startled, like a gun had been fired; thats how bad they can get.

One thing I learned with my Scorp was not to cane the 'box, esp. when cold, I guess one of the kids at the garage took it for a burn on the A120, a 2.3 might not be a racer but it's a step up from the usual Escorts and Clios they see; you can't trust anyone.

Oil and filters is a good start and much cheaper than a recon box at the outset. My hunch would be a terminal disorder, the judder in reverse sounds like more than dirty oil.

Regards, TiberiuS.

Title: Re: A problem with the auto gearbox ...
Post by Highlander on Sep 6^th, 2006, 10:50pm

on 09/06/06 at 22:24:22, TiberiuS wrote:

I guess one of the kids at the garage took it for a burn on the A120, a 2.3 might not be a racer but it's a step up from the usual Escorts and Clios they see; you can't trust anyone.

Reminds me of last year when I dropped my 24v facelift in at the garage for some minor work and decided to walk the two miles home down the country road I stay on. After 20 mins or so I heard this roar of someone coming down the road flat out and being interested in what type of car it was making this lovely burble I stopped and waited on it coming round the bend.....

Yes you guessed it.... my 24v in full flight, I wasn't impressed, although the young guys face was a picture when he spotted me ;D

got all the work done for free though ;D

Title: Re: A problem with the auto gearbox ...
Post by mr._floppy on Sep 7^th, 2006, 12:18am

I always take the odometer reading when it goes into the garage for any work.

If there's anything over a mile extra on it unaccounted for there will be trouble :-X

Which brings me to a mild security moan, is the glove compartment unlockable ?

Title: Re: A problem with the auto gearbox ...
Post by RobRob on Sep 7^th, 2006, 10:15am

Thanks for the replies all

How much for gearbox oil and filter change? And any recommendations around E8 London appreciated.

Also, how much for a "new" gearbox and fitted? Just want to have some financial planning in place if the worst happens ...

I must confess I am normally a non-servicer partly through lack of trust for garages - before this had auto Daewoo Nubira and never did anything in a year and half (except for clean of brake pipes at MOT) before sold for roughly same price. How many of you do servicing "by the book"? I bought my Scorpio with no documents but V5 and MOT and 5/6 owners on V5 so can't imagine it has had that regular servicing recently.

Title: Re: A problem with the auto gearbox ...
Post by Baw_Flinger on Sep 7^th, 2006, 4:11pm

Well, you could get a second hand box off a member here. I got a good un off Paulscorp for £70 and it cost me £250 to put in. Dont risk ebay, you dont know what crap you are getting. Oil/filter costs im not sure about (someone else will help) but I think you need between 5-8 liters of Dexron III, filter cant be any more than £15?

Title: Re: A problem with the auto gearbox ...
Post by TiberiuS on Sep 7^th, 2006, 9:27pm

My box cost me £1400; no, don't ask me where I had it done, it was a nightmare to get the car back in one piece the same week, won't be going there again >:(.

Mine gets oil and filters every year at least, Daewoo and Scorpio are like chalk and cheese; a car of this age needs some care. Also this year it's had a new fuel cut off loom and soon new plugs, HT leads and front roll bar bushes, just a case of looking around the car now and then and fixing any problems before they get bad. I'm not a master mechanic, just a chap with a few tools and a growing distrust of garages ;).

If the car feels ok on the roads then there can't be too much wrong with it, the main worry about buying a car without history is whether it's been crunched, other than that and a possible shock at the first MOT you should be ok.

Regards, Bruce.

Title: Re: A problem with the auto gearbox ...
Post by RobRob on Sep 13^th, 2006, 1:25pm

Shaun - am I to understand that I should check gearbox oil when hot and car running rather than as with engine oil when cold and settled?

Also, anyone with rough price of autobox oil and filter change around London E8 (and recommended garage) gratefully received!

Title: Re: A problem with the auto gearbox ...
Post by RobRob on Sep 13^th, 2006, 1:28pm

Shouldn't go without saying - so thanks all for your help.

Went to to hotel over weekend with pretty obligatory valet parking and almost ran after the guy to see he didn't blow up my autobox getting my car back! Growing love for the Scorpio maybe?!!

Title: Re: A problem with the auto gearbox ...
Post by shaun on Sep 13^th, 2006, 8:25pm

pm sent

Title: Re: A problem with the auto gearbox ...
Post by Baw_Flinger on Sep 14^th, 2006, 8:09am

The general advice I was given by an ex-Ford mechanic is to change the oil and filter at least every 50K. As most cars around do not get this and most of the time it is the same oil that came with the car when it left the factory floor. With regular changes (and carefull driving), a big 4de is supposed to do over 200K.