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        General >> Problems >> Autobox Slight Problem
        
(Message started by: PJDavis on Sep 8^th, 2011, 11:36am)

Title: Autobox Slight Problem
Post by PJDavis on Sep 8^th, 2011, 11:36am

Ever since getting the car 3 years ago now, I had very slight mis-givings about the Autobox, it's never been just 100%, about 95% would sum it up. It may be due to the fact that the car before I had it had a slight leak and the previous owner had been just topping it up with the cheapest fluid until it got new pipes, and then the 'back-street' garage that replaced the pipes put the wrong fluid in it as well!

There has always been a very slight 'flare' when going from 2nd up to 3rd, at all speeds, but seems less of a problem when in 'kickdown'. Don't get me wrong, the car changes up well enough at all speeds, and it changes on the red-line in kickdown, and at 5000rpm when just resting my boot on the floor. I've never seen the O/D light come on whilst driving except when I have the wee button activated, and it's never flickered. I've changed the gearbox fluid and filter twice, (getting about 4-5 litres out each time) and am about to again. The fluid has no bits in it or sludge, but because it may still have some of the wrong fluid in it, it's a bit darker red. The car does drive well, no clunking or anything like that, or 'wash-board' feeling.

Just lately aye the last couple of days, the 'flare seems to be slightly more pronounced at all revs. Also just once, after driving the car quite hard I could have sworn the Revs dropped right down whilst I was doing about 95 mph, and then a split-second later it felt like it went back into gear! What happened was, I went into kick-down at about 55 mph to pass some traffic, it changed up at the usual from 2nd to 3rd around about 80 ish mph and I kept my foot on kick-down until I got passed the traffic I'd be doing close to the Ton, I then eased my foot off the pedal, (not completely) and of course the car then chose top-gear, but in that instant I'm sure that it was almost as if the car dropped-out of gear and then a micro second later I felt a wee thump just the same as if when you're doing 40 mph say and then activate the O/D button. Just as if it had again found a gear. No light flickered, and I eased my foot down again on the pedal and there was drive with no slipping, just a wee something, anyone have any ideas? If it's serious stuff then I'm not sure if I could or would be able to change the autobox in my driveway, maybe 20 years ago!

Please cheer me up!!

Peter

Title: Re: Autobox Slight Problem
Post by scorpio_man on Sep 8^th, 2011, 2:11pm

hi there

before condemning the the 'box, check out the coil packs and wiring. also the battery connections and engine earths.

hth

Title: Re: Autobox Slight Problem
Post by PJDavis on Sep 8^th, 2011, 2:51pm

I've re-done the wiring fairly recently, and checked the coil-packs. I'll take a look at the earth-strap, and probably just replace it, but I thought other things would go wrong if the earth-strap was goosed.

Thanks for the reply Scorpio man.

Peter

Title: Re: Autobox Slight Problem
Post by scorpio_man on Sep 8^th, 2011, 2:56pm

hi there

i'm just thinking with you saying you though the revs had dropped right down, then if it had 'jumped' out of gear, the revs would have risen, hence my thinking it's a engine fault as such.

hth

Title: Re: Autobox Slight Problem
Post by Tompion on Sep 8^th, 2011, 9:18pm

Give the MAF a clean – even if you’ve done it recently.

Mine improved no end when I changed the Fuel Cut-off Loom, however if your loom is OK it might be worth cleaning the 2 big block connectors on the wing near the inlet manifold (it is possible cleaning them at the same time improved the gear changes on mine rather than the loom change).

Title: Re: Autobox Slight Problem
Post by Dave2302 on Sep 9^th, 2011, 8:34am

Hi PJ,

I doubt the fluid will cause that problem, especially as you've changed it twice already ;)

TBH it is probably the Direct clutch / centre support rings, inside the gearbox. They do start off with a slight flare which gradually gets worse.

Does it have a delay going into reverse, worse when stone cold / proper hot ??

3rd and reverse share the direct clutch in operation :)

It's not the end of the world, I know an auto gearbox specialist not a million miles from you, in Inverinate
;) ;) ;) ;D ;D ;D
He's got a 2 post lift in his workshop and transmission jack, so swapping it could be done in a few hours while you wait............
:) :) :) ;D ;D ;D
Best bet is to let me have a spare unit to give it a once over first, then there will be no hassle once it's fitted LOL

Regards Dave

Title: Re: Autobox Slight Problem
Post by PJDavis on Sep 9^th, 2011, 12:25pm

Good replies from all. Thanks a lot. As I said, I have suspected the Autobox for a long time, especially after contacting the previous owner and getting the info about him topping it up and the 'Back-Street' garage repair.

The first thing I did the other day was clean the MAF sensor. No real delay going into reverse, the only time it happened once was when the weather was down to Minus 17C for a couple of nights, I counted how long and it took about 2 seconds to engage.

Aye Dave, I must confess, I had that thought in my mind, I'll get an Autobox from someone on here, and I'll bring it over to you for the once-over. Then arrange a time convenient to slot the thing in. I need to visit you soon anyway, I've got to collect and pay for a Discs and Pads kit, and have you got my rear-centre-light yet? I'm hoping things gearbox wise will last until after the winter.

Cheers to all

Peter

Title: Re: Autobox Slight Problem
Post by Mike H on Sep 9^th, 2011, 7:29pm

FWIW owners handbook says shouldn't take longer than 4 seconds, so 2 seconds while at –17C sounds quite reasonable ;D

Title: Re: Autobox Slight Problem
Post by Dave2302 on Sep 10^th, 2011, 4:44pm

Hi Peter,

Yes, Mike's right, 2 seconds is good, so it may only be a valve block job, but tbh, rather than faffing around, it would be best to run a seal kit thru a good S/H one and fit that ;)

Rear Centre light ?? If i said I have it I will do, but we can soon find it, will probably be in workshop loft, which is a bit tidier these days LOL

I will be picking some parts up for you from Lee in a couple of weeks, so some time after that will be good for me.

If Stewart has a good Gearbox for you, I'll be picking some bits up from him soon, I have to arrange a visit to him, so I could pick that up too ;)

Regards Dave

Title: Re: Autobox Slight Problem
Post by Mike H on Sep 11^th, 2011, 11:34am

on 09/08/11 at 11:36:53, PJDavis wrote:

it changed up at the usual from 2nd to 3rd around about 80 ish mph and I kept my foot on kick-down until I got passed the traffic I'd be doing close to the Ton, I then eased my foot off the pedal, (not completely) and of course the car then chose top-gear, but in that instant I'm sure that it was almost as if the car dropped-out of gear and then a micro second later I felt a wee thump just the same as if when you're doing 40 mph say and then activate the O/D button. Just as if it had again found a gear. No light flickered, and I eased my foot down again on the pedal and there was drive with no slipping, just a wee something, anyone have any ideas?

As you were "booting it a bit 'ard" ;D sounds like it was testing between 3rd & 4th to find out which ratio might be best. 4th was too high straight off so back to 3rd, then OK a couple of secs later will do it so back into 4th.

Again handbook sez if it keeps "hunting" like that between 3rd & 4th, e.g. on steep hills, best to turn O/D off to stop it hunting up & down. So to me that behaviour seems quite normal. (?)

FWIW for our local routes near home which are invariably < 50 mph I usually turn O/D off as it's usually a complete waste of time trying to use it, only turn it back on if going onto a dual carriageway for any reasonable distance, plus >= 50 mph (we got lots of 40 - 50 mph speed limits & cameras even on the dual carriageways) :)

HTH

Title: Re: Autobox Slight Problem
Post by Mike H on Sep 11^th, 2011, 11:45am

Appendix ~ plus, & sure I mentioned elsewhere, if cruising in 4th e.g. motorway, then have to release the gas pedal: A. you do get engine braking; B. when back onto the gas 4th has unlocked so it's back onto the torque converter (revs rise) then a second or so later it locks up again (revs drop). Pretty certain is normal behaviour too.

Title: Re: Autobox Slight Problem
Post by Dave2302 on Sep 11^th, 2011, 1:41pm

Yes that is normal :)

Title: Re: Autobox Slight Problem
Post by PJDavis on Sep 11^th, 2011, 4:31pm

Aye. Dave, the rear centre light I'm referring to is something I've bought from Lee, and hoping that you'll take back to yours until I get over to you. I'll need to prod Stuart for a good-ish gearbox at some stage. I'll not be doing much to the Autobox until it really starts to annoy me or it breaks.

Thanks for all the replies, Peter.

Title: Re: Autobox Slight Problem
Post by Mike H on Sep 11^th, 2011, 9:48pm

I'd be interested what differences there are old vs 'new' :)

Title: Re: Autobox Slight Problem
Post by Dave2302 on Sep 11^th, 2011, 11:46pm

on 09/11/11 at 16:31:35, PJDavis wrote:

Aye. Dave, the rear centre light I'm referring to is something I've bought from Lee, and hoping that you'll take back to yours until I get over to you.

Ah right, no problem at all, will pick that up ;)

Cheers Dave

Title: Re: Autobox Slight Problem
Post by Mike H on Sep 12^th, 2011, 3:37pm

Dare I ask what the rear centre light is? ;D

http://livinginthepast-audioweb.co.uk/images/misc/Iamstupid.gif

Title: Re: Autobox Slight Problem
Post by PJDavis on Sep 12^th, 2011, 5:19pm

On the Pre-Facelift, which mine is despite being registered in August 1998, the centre strip of lights at the rear are reflected right across.

Title: Re: Autobox Slight Problem
Post by Mike H on Sep 13^th, 2011, 11:54am

Oh what you mean all the stuff across the boot lid?

Title: Re: Autobox Slight Problem
Post by PJDavis on Sep 13^th, 2011, 2:42pm

Aye. :D

Title: Re: Autobox Slight Problem
Post by Mike H on Sep 14^th, 2011, 11:52am

Gotcha. http://livinginthepast-audioweb.co.uk/images/misc/th_thumbsup.gif

Title: Re: Autobox Slight Problem
Post by PJDavis on Sep 29^th, 2011, 9:20am

Just a wee update. I changed the filter and fluid, the fluid did look a wee bit 'used' but nothing in it. However, I di discover that the filter was loose! You see, I always put on a couple of new 'O' rings, and when I put the filter in the last time in clicked nicely into place. When I tightened the bolt up I thought mistakenly that it was holding the filter in, but it wasn't! I only discovered this because when removing the old filter this time, before loosening the bolt the filter was slightly off at an angle. I knew there was a flag on the filter needing washers, but for some reason my first filter change didn't need the washers, so I presumed using a genuine Ford filter didn't require the washers. Oh well, the car seems to be back to it's normal self for the time being. Course how long that lasts who knows¬!

Title: Re: Autobox Slight Problem
Post by Mike H on Oct 4^th, 2011, 6:18pm

Interesting! ;D