Auto Gearbox Kick Down Etc

[janrapacz]

Hi, I have an S-reg Ghia-X Galaxy with Automatic Box.

 

Have recently noticed two things:

 

1. When stopped and with my foot on the brake pedal, whilst moving the gear selector from Driver to Neutral, there is a pronounced lurch from the car. A similar lurch happens when selecting Drive from Neutral.

 

2. I seem to be unable to get the transmission to change down when depressing the accelerator pedal down hard - is there a switch that is causing problems? This caught me unawares when trying to quickly overtake - and I suddenly found that my slow increase in speed in top gear was not going to get me round the slower driver!

 

I have searched the forum - but have not found any similar reports. Does anyone on the forum have experience of what I have described. The lack of kick-down on the automatic box is the most concerning.

 

Many thanks!

[seatkid]

1. When stopped and with my foot on the brake pedal, whilst moving the gear selector from Driver to Neutral, there is a pronounced lurch from the car. A similar lurch happens when selecting Drive from Neutral.

Is the idle speed (in neutral) correct?

 

2. I seem to be unable to get the transmission to change down when depressing the accelerator pedal down hard - is there a switch that is causing problems?

There is no kickdown switch, the kickdown point is determined from the accelerator pedal position (TPS throttle position sensor) - this information is transmitted from the PCM (ECU) to the Automatics AG4 module electronically.

 

Its pointing to a TPS related problem.

 

The TPS may be faulty in which case diagnotistics will confirm. The PCM/AG4 can be programmed to adjust the TPS position electronically (via diagnostics). Also the AG4 "learns" certain parameter about the TPS. If the link between the PCM and AG4 is lost then I expect the AG$ will enter/work in "fail" mode.

 

First I would check your accelerator pedal is operating correctly (travelling the full distance from idle to full without obstruction). In the case of a petrol engine also check the cable end at the throttle body on the engine.

 

Then check all electrical connectors to the auto box are where they should be...(not hanging out)

 

If thats OK then I would disconnect the battery (negative) for ten minutes to reset any strange parameters in the PCM/AG4. Remember the radio code will be lost!

 

 

Then if the problem is still there, a trip to the dealer to check on the diagnostics is required. :blink:

[NikpV]

Will people learn to give full details of vehicle year, engine etc? We're not mind readers...

 

 

Doesn't he say he has a ford galaxy 2.3 ghia X ??

 

nik

[seatkid]

Yeah....must be going blind :blink: :o Too much internet.... :o

[NikpV]

internet?? :blink:

[janrapacz]

Thanks seatkid. I will have a look based on what you have recommended.

 

Further to my issues I now have a gearbox that does not want to change gear and seems to want to stay in 1st gear. I seem to be able to clear this by putting the selector into neutral and then back into drive. :blink:

 

By the way the car is an S reg 1999 2.3litre petrol automatic with cruise control,etc. I gues this was the top of the range car at the time.