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        General >> Problems >> Uh oh gearbox 
        
(Message started by: rich1 on Oct 6^th, 2012, 10:01pm)

Title: Uh oh gearbox
Post by rich1 on Oct 6^th, 2012, 10:01pm

Hi guys , my 2.3 seems to be having gearbox issues . When i start the car first thing in the morning it sort of clunks into gear and then while driving it pops out of gear . But once the car has warmed up it runs and changes like a dream !!! I checked the oil and it looked a bit over filled but as ive had the car since easter and have never changed the gearbox oil im guessing this isnt the cause because its only srarted to clunk the past couple of weeks . Got to admit im worried this is a major major problem , anyone out there know the problem ? Im praying its something simple but knowing scorpios as i do im guesssing its not :-(

Title: Re: Uh oh gearbox
Post by Mike H on Oct 8^th, 2012, 11:27am

First thing that occurs to me is the gear stick range selector, which is actually a potentiometer (not a switch). Computer needs this to know which gear you want, despite that the lever also manually controls the box, (?)

Being an electrical potentiometer it's subject to wear / damp issues etc. Make sense to anyone else?

Title: Re: Uh oh gearbox
Post by Andycan on Oct 8^th, 2012, 1:25pm

Hi Rich1 I had a similar problem on my 2.0i last year and I think I cured it by cleaning the mass air flow sensor and changing the gearbox oil. All oil deteriorates over time and use so it could be the oil and the air flow sensor gets dirty and then records the wrong amount of air drawn into the engine which can cause gear change problems i think.

Title: Re: Uh oh gearbox
Post by PJDavis on Oct 8^th, 2012, 5:33pm

I'm going through Auto-Gearbox problems myself at this time. But my Gearbox has been giving little problems really for about two years now. I've changed the oil a couple of times along with the filter of course, each time the Gearbox has improved for a while before returning to it's wee problems. I've also changed and cleaned the MAF sensor, and I have a couple of spares. Mine started off with a wee flare when changing from 2nd to 3rd. More recently it just drops out of gear for no reason and then clunks back in, this can happen at any speed, but more worrying was the last time when it clunked back into a lower gear whilst doing 80mph! Having said that, I haven't had a wrong word from the car this last nearly 1000 miles, although I have been driving it more gently which does wonders for the fuel consumption, I believe I've been getting nearly 30 mpg! In my case the warmer the Gearbox gets the more chance it has of slipping and it's 'clunky' when cold but not slow to engage. I told all this to our resident expert, 'The Old Bear-Footer' and he reckoned it was time to change the gearbox. I got a hold of a second Gearbox that's being re-built to new, and will be getting that fitted this winter, I also have a re-furbished wiring loom for the Gearbox. So fingers crossed. My cars Gearbox started playing-up at 85 thousand miles. It's now coming up to 108 thousand miles.

Title: Re: Uh oh gearbox
Post by rich1 on Oct 8^th, 2012, 8:36pm

Cheers boys , pj minedoes the opposite of yours , it misbehaves more first thing in the morning , yesterday it sliped out of gear into neutral at a set of lights and started to roll backwards !!!! Strange feeling in a auto ! I used the car today and for about 5 minutes or it slipped and clunked a bit but from then on , perfect ??? Left it parked up for roughly 8 hours got back in and no problems what so ever . Think its time to give her to my mechanic and let him have a butchers. Out of curiosity pj , how much was the new gearbox ? And im guessing its not a cheap job to fit !! Btw my car is on 85000 miles too

Title: Re: Uh oh gearbox
Post by Mike H on Oct 9^th, 2012, 11:56am

Sounds like something starting to work properly after warmed up a bit, could still be electrical, expanding connector or dodgy connection closing up. All wild guesses

The MAF can have a profound influence since the ECU also controls gear changing, you can drive it unplugged to see if that makes any difference or not. If not then MAF may be eliminated from the equation

Title: Re: Uh oh gearbox
Post by Mike H on Oct 9^th, 2012, 11:59am

PS: what Andycan said, if you don't know if the fluid was ever changed might be a good idea to do that anyway.

Title: Re: Uh oh gearbox
Post by PJDavis on Oct 9^th, 2012, 1:24pm

on 10/08/12 at 20:36:51, rich1 wrote:

Out of curiosity pj , how much was the new gearbox ? And im guessing its not a cheap job to fit !! Btw my car is on 85000 miles too

I managed to get a 'supposed' reconditioned Gearbox and converter from someone for nothing. I have passed this Gearbox to a very professional chap I know who is currently re-building it with new parts. Note I say re-building with new parts, because a 'reconditioned' means that it could have worn-working parts fitted. Which is exactly what my 'supposed' re-condition Gearbox had, including a completely shot Overdrive Gearset! The Overdrive Gearset alone was nearly £150 sent from USA. I can't really say what the final cost will be, but there is someone on here that will quote for the same job that I'm getting done. My car is almost perfect inside and out, it currently has a 13 month MOT and has never had any advisories. It's a Two owner car from new, but really only one owner before me because the guy was a director of a company, and took the car privately as part of a retirement package. It also had a full service history when I bought it, which I have added to. I do my own servicing as I'm a degree Engineer, but not Autobox re-builds! ;D It's a fabulous car, and I'd have to spend a hell of a lot of money to get something as good to use as a hobby so don't mind chucking a few quid at it.

Title: Re: Uh oh gearbox
Post by Tompion on Oct 9^th, 2012, 3:02pm

on 10/06/12 at 22:01:35, rich1 wrote:

Just checking you're not having to top up the rad, since you say the box might be overfilled - as there is a chance of the heat exchanger failing & coolant getting into the box causing the level to rise.

Title: Re: Uh oh gearbox
Post by Mike H on Oct 10^th, 2012, 5:30pm

Ah there is that!

Title: Re: Uh oh gearbox
Post by rich1 on Oct 10^th, 2012, 8:45pm

Nope never have to top the rad up , used it today , sweet as a nut . No slipping no cluncking. . Confused as scooby doo

Title: Re: Uh oh gearbox
Post by leewar on Oct 10^th, 2012, 9:25pm

Mike, the scorpio I've just bought has been topped up a little too much. Anymore than what I have and Matt suggested draining the fluid off.

Title: Re: Uh oh gearbox
Post by a900one on Oct 14^th, 2012, 1:06pm

Have you tried to adjust the brake bands, info here http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/manual/autotrans/BrakeBandsAdj.pdf.

Title: Re: Uh oh gearbox
Post by Dave2302 on Oct 15^th, 2012, 10:29am

Do not touch the brake bands, the adjuster is there for setting them at the time the box is built.
They never need adjustment "in service" unless someone else has "focked wit", and are easy to ruin as it's not quite as simple as the manual suggests, especially as the screws get stiffer with age.

Your problem sounds to me like your oil level is LOW.............

When you check it the engine must running and warm, and then with engine running, check the level with selector in PARK after selecting each gear in turn then returning selector to park.

If the engine IS NOT Running the level will seem high when in fact it is LOW ;)

HTH

Dave

Title: Re: Uh oh gearbox
Post by rich1 on Nov 10^th, 2012, 3:02pm

Dave2302 , you were right ,oil was low , next question is , how do i top it up , and whats the best oil to use ?

Title: Re: Uh oh gearbox
Post by gozz on Nov 10^th, 2012, 3:31pm

Rich.
Pour it down the dipstick tube with the aid of a little funnel,I use Comma or Planet AQM general purpose autobox oil because it's available from factors at a fair price,no point in lashing out for a big name 8) Dave will know more on the subject than I of course.
GOZZ.

Title: Re: Uh oh gearbox
Post by rich1 on Nov 10^th, 2012, 6:06pm

Sorted .................i hope , spoke to a mechanic pal of mine , he recommened dexron 2 . Topped it up and its seems to have done the trick (phew)

Title: Re: Uh oh gearbox
Post by Dave2302 on Nov 13^th, 2012, 11:35am

Hi,

Yeah, Dex II is fine for these boxes, they were designed and built before the days of the mega expensive Dex III and will get no benefit from running the expensive stuff.

The next thing is, check it again after a run, as you can think it's right when topping up but you are getting a false reading because there is oil in the dipstick tube......................Ask PJ how many times I wiped his (cars ;D ), dipstick, checking and rechecking ;)
Low oil will run a gearbox very quickly ;)

Glad you're all sorted now...............

Another satisfied customer ;D

Cheers Dave