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        General >> Problems >> Auto gearbox lost 2nd gear!
        
(Message started by: alpress on Aug 30^th, 2007, 4:04pm)

Title: Auto gearbox lost 2nd gear!
Post by alpress on Aug 30^th, 2007, 4:04pm

Hi everyone

No longer need OBD scan, just had one done. Do I go for a new solenoid or a gearbox recon, that's the question? Obd codes P0732 and P1756 indicate loss of 2nd gear due to malfunctioning solenoid? However the od off light also flashes after about half an hour of driving. Anyone out there like to hazard an opinion?

:-/ :-/ :-/ :-/

Title: Re: Auto gearbox lost 2nd gear!
Post by solarpanel on Aug 30^th, 2007, 8:40pm

what engine size

Title: Re: Auto gearbox lost 2nd gear!
Post by alpress on Aug 30^th, 2007, 10:21pm

Its 2.9 24v

Title: Re: Auto gearbox lost 2nd gear!
Post by Dave on Aug 31^st, 2007, 10:50am

Can you get to the solenoid for 2nd gear without dismantling the box - i.e. just taking the 'box sump off ??? If so, has to be worth a go!

Title: Re: Auto gearbox lost 2nd gear!
Post by alpress on Aug 31^st, 2007, 7:28pm

I don't know yet havn't got it off. However, what I wonder is does the loss of the solenoid lead to the flashing od off signal, or is there something else wrong? :-/

Title: Re: Auto gearbox lost 2nd gear!
Post by Dave on Aug 31^st, 2007, 10:07pm

According to this page:

http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/odlight.htm

...the 2nd gear solenoid failing could certainly cause the OD light to flash!

From memory, the solenoids are on the side of the innards, visible with the sump off. I THINK, IIRC etc that is the case, there is a photo floating around somewhere that shows the arrangement.

Have you had a quote for the solenoid/to do the work?

And the all important question - have you cleaned the MAF? :)

Title: Re: Auto gearbox lost 2nd gear!
Post by mike on Aug 31^st, 2007, 11:13pm

Replacement is easy. Once you have dropped the pan (that's the hardest part!) you will see four solenoids lined up on the LHS of the valve body . They're held by a bracket fastened with a single bolt.
2nd gear solenoid is in third position from the front. When you remove the bracket, be careful that the other solenoids don't pop out by themselves. Disconnect the culprit from the harness, wiggle it out and put the new one in.
There is a total of 6 solenoids in the box (the other two are 1st and 3rd gear and are on the other side of the valve body): 4 shift solenoids, the main pressure solenoid and the torque converter clutch solenoid. All four shift solenoid are identical. It should not be too difficult to find a good used replacement.
While you are in there, don't forget to replace the filter and clean the gunk from the magnet stuck to the pan!
Good luck!
Mike

Title: Re: Auto gearbox lost 2nd gear!
Post by alpress on Sep 1^st, 2007, 8:10pm

Hi Dave and Mike

Had a quote from Stanton Automatics around £400 to replace the solenoid, seems on the high side but they only use Ford transmission fluid. If not too much detritus turns up in the sump I will probably get them to replace the solenoid and ask them if they can flush the remaining old oil out.
Anyone know if solenoid failure is a common fault with these boxes?

Regards

Alistair

Title: Re: Auto gearbox lost 2nd gear!
Post by Highlander on Sep 1^st, 2007, 8:24pm

Its not a regular one seen on these forums no

Title: Re: Auto gearbox lost 2nd gear!
Post by mike on Sep 1^st, 2007, 9:10pm

£400! That's pretty steep for something which can be done in half an hour once the car is on a hoist.
By the way, you should not rule out an electrical harness problem: bad contact or cut wire between ECU and box.
Cheers!
Mike

Title: Re: Auto gearbox lost 2nd gear!
Post by alpress on Sep 4^th, 2007, 7:10pm

The saga continues.

On removing gearbox pan and testing the solenoid, it's working fine. The deposits in the oil indicate wear to the brake bands and one has a lot of play. Also the internal loom is shot and there is rust on the solenoid cover plate. It seems that water has at sometime found its way into the box, possibly through the radiator?

So, it would seem that a gearbox recon is needed. I have located a nearly new box for a 2.3. I know the box on the 2.3 is the same, but would a 2.3 box fit on to a Cossie?

Title: Re: Auto gearbox lost 2nd gear!
Post by Highlander on Sep 4^th, 2007, 7:20pm

Yes it would but it wouldnt be strong enough, the 24v has more brake bands than the 2.3 and 2.0 box.
possible to do but not recommended

It is ok to "upgrade" to a box from a bigger engine but not to downgrade.

However I suppose it all depends how you drive it, it might be worth taking the chance if its cheap enough.
I dont actually know anyone who has tried it though

Title: Re: Auto gearbox lost 2nd gear!
Post by pappa on Sep 5^th, 2007, 6:54am

Hi Guys,

Some time ago I asked for the same thing, putting a 2.3 A4LDE into a Cossie and
"Dave the barefoot skier", ex autobox specialist said that it is definately "No, no!"
It won't last long, someone estimated 5 min ;D

But as Highlander says, it also depends on how you drive it, but then again think
about getting into a tight situation when overtaking a slower car, push the pedal
and bang! A worst case scenario.

I decided not to do that and now that I have played with the autoboxes, I have
also noticed that the bellhousing of the 24V autobox vs 16V autobox is
different, so it would not fit without swapping the bellhousing anyway.

Basicly it's your call, I would not do it. :-/

Title: Re: Auto gearbox lost 2nd gear!
Post by alpress on Sep 6^th, 2007, 2:31pm

Thank's to everyone for their advice. I have sourced a replacement Cosworth gearbox and this will be fitted shortly. There are still some imponderables, like how did the water get in as it isn't obvious and where has all the material from the badly worn brake band gone to, it isn't in the sump, or at least not enough of it!!I have some pics of he damage caused to the loom and rust on the solenoid housing if any one is interested, but I'm not sure how to send them to the forum!

Title: Re: Auto gearbox lost 2nd gear!
Post by mike on Sep 6^th, 2007, 5:24pm

If it is just a little moisture it could have come from condensation inside the box, especially if it has sat for a while without running. As for the brake band material, it should have been trapped by the filter: an autopsy is in order.
To be on the safe side, I think you should flush thoroughly the cooling loop from the gearbox to the radiator and back. And also perform a vacuum test of the transmission fluid cooler (with a Mightyvac or equivalent) so as to rule out any water having leaked into the system.
Cheers,
Mike

Title: Re: Auto gearbox lost 2nd gear!
Post by scorpio_man on Sep 6^th, 2007, 5:46pm

on 09/06/07 at 14:31:53, alpress wrote:

I have some pics of he damage caused to the loom and rust on the solenoid housing if any one is interested, but I'm not sure how to send them to the forum!

hi there

join the msn sub site and post them there.

http://groups.msn.com/fordscorpio-co-uk

hth

Title: Re: Auto gearbox lost 2nd gear!
Post by Dave on Sep 9^th, 2007, 2:59pm

Alistair,

you may need a new coolant radiator! Gearbox oil is passed through a section of radiator to bring it up to temperature quickly. If the radiator fails then coolant can get into the autobox fluid.

EricR had this on his 24v and it ended up doing for his 'box, same as yours!