Galaxy 2.3 Tiptronic Box Over Rev Twinge

[blenny1705]

Hi I have recently bought a galaxy with the tiptronic autobox and it drove home down motorway 75 miles no probs and most of the time over the last 3 weeks much the same........but what is annoying is sometime it clunks into gear....only at times........selects all gears fine thus far ....and every now and again especially from 3rd to 4th revs over for a while then goes in I only find this happens when I've been going slow on backstreets etc belt down carriageway etc and it's fine no overevving at all in any gears any ideas as to why this would happen???????

[BrianH]

Could be all sorts of things causing it, but a couple of simple things to try

 

Check the oil level in the gearbox - and what state the oil is in!

Check for any error codes using vcds

 

Have a look at this post its similar issues.

http://www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/ford/index.php?/topic/25385-knew-i-shouldnt-have-bought-an-auto/

Edited April 3, 2013 by BrianH

[blenny1705]

yes thought about fluid but surely if it was fluid it would affect all gearing not just 3rd to 4th also if i switch off engine instantly it returns to normal again and then will start after so long ,heard about that limp home mode but would that be displayed on dash also could it knacker box if i continue to use it cos 80 percent of the time it's ok

Could be all sorts of things causing it, but a couple of simple things to try

 

Check the oil level in the gearbox - and what state the oil is in!

Check for any error codes using vcds

 

Have a look at this post its similar issues.

http://www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/ford/index.php?/topic/25385-knew-i-shouldnt-have-bought-an-auto/

[BrianH]

yes thought about fluid but surely if it was fluid it would affect all gearing not just 3rd to 4th also if i switch off engine instantly it returns to normal again and then will start after so long ,heard about that limp home mode but would that be displayed on dash also could it knacker box if i continue to use it cos 80 percent of the time it's ok

 

Depends what the cause of the problem is. It wouldn't be something to recommend and certainly won't do it any good driving with a fault espically if its being caused by a lack of oil either circulating through the system or just not enough in their (old oil seems to thicken in these). Auto gearboxes can show all sorts of odd behavour when the fluid isn't ideal and really its the only thing you can easily do much about.

 

Only other thing you can try is looking for faults with vcds which might send you down a different path. Personally

I'd check the fluid every so often anyway even when its a supposedly sealed for life system like these are supposed to be where its possible to do so.

[blenny1705]

might take it for a checkover how much is it roughly for the check if it's a sensor or something like that it could be a cheapish fix considering the price of atf fluid lol

Depends what the cause of the problem is. It wouldn't be something to recommend and certainly won't do it any good driving with a fault espically if its being caused by a lack of oil either circulating through the system or just not enough in their (old oil seems to thicken in these). Auto gearboxes can show all sorts of odd behavour when the fluid isn't ideal and really its the only thing you can easily do much about.

 

Only other thing you can try is looking for faults with vcds which might send you down a different path. Personally
I'd check the fluid every so often anyway even when its a supposedly sealed for life system like these are supposed to be where its possible to do so.

[BrianH]

If your looking for any error codes which may or may not be there it would be cheaper to buy a vag-com cable (less than a tenner off ebay) and download vcds-lite from ross tech and have a look yourself. It would also mean you have the cable for any other faults that might crop up. Alternatively if you go through that other thread i posted the link to theres some info on checking the gearbox fluid yourself. You might also find some of the faults/errors picked up could be down to lack of fluid rather than any particular sensor fault so may not even find an error code (or if you do it may not be resolved by replacing the part referred to).

[blenny1705]

Yes found out about that and have downloaded software for it but it's not vag for the 2.3 it's obd 2 software and cable (still waiting on cable) the vag is for any models other than 2.0 or 2.3 petrol....hopefully find out what the problem is thought about doing it this way because the fluid I need is about 6 litres I think which will cost about 60 quid whereas the lead I need I got for 9 quid so I thought see what it brings and if no errors then I 'll get some fluid .....drove it all day today and nothing at all it only does it when it hits temperature and then it's on and off ......turn off engine and back on and it goes away again weird and confusing.

If your looking for any error codes which may or may not be there it would be cheaper to buy a vag-com cable (less than a tenner off ebay) and download vcds-lite from ross tech and have a look yourself. It would also mean you have the cable for any other faults that might crop up. Alternatively if you go through that other thread i posted the link to theres some info on checking the gearbox fluid yourself. You might also find some of the faults/errors picked up could be down to lack of fluid rather than any particular sensor fault so may not even find an error code (or if you do it may not be resolved by replacing the part referred to).

[BrianH]

Yes found out about that and have downloaded software for it but it's not vag for the 2.3 it's obd 2 software and cable (still waiting on cable) the vag is for any models other than 2.0 or 2.3 petrol....hopefully find out what the problem is thought about doing it this way because the fluid I need is about 6 litres I think which will cost about 60 quid whereas the lead I need I got for 9 quid so I thought see what it brings and if no errors then I 'll get some fluid .....drove it all day today and nothing at all it only does it when it hits temperature and then it's on and off ......turn off engine and back on and it goes away again weird and confusing.

 

For the engine yes you need the obd cable. For the gearbox (automatic) its VAG built so you should be able to get somewhere with that as long as the lead works. Wouldn't bother with the autoscan.

 

Vcds definitely talks to some other modules on my 2.0 (non auto) so do you get anything on any modules? (airbags for example) If not then something is wrong with the cable - wrong com port possibly?

 

Its useful to have the cable either way if you have one of these as things like airbag errors require them to clear the light after you have fixed the error (or to find what particular part is causing problem).

 

Probabbly a good call on the cost of the fluid though. Time will tell I guess.

[Steve_Mk1_2.3A]

Hi,

 

Normally with the AG4 boxes a missed or slow change from 3rd to 4th is relating to box fluid pressure leaking down and thus not engaging 4th gear (this applies if it is intermittent and when engaged it is fine) - sonnax the people in the US who make repair kits for lots of auto boxes have this under their "common" fix kits lists! Not a horrid job to do but would need to go to an auto gearbox specialist to have it done. BUT remember that you might have 4th you might not have the TCC locking up properly which makes it feel like you've not got 4th when in fact you have - you just don't have the clutch locking up. The higher gears slip first with low box pressure - I think 01192 in VAG COM is the TCC slipping.

 

There are other possibilities but a scan with VAGCOM will eliminate all the "electrical" issues causing this - 99% of the time you'll see Gear Monitoring: Implausible Signal - which means the output speed does not match a pre-set range for the input speed. Consider the box has 3000rpm in and then output says 3000rpm in 1:1 that's fine - but 3000rpm in and 1000rpm out means 2000rpm's are going somewhere! That triggers that fault code 00652. One to watch for!

 

It can be a faulty sensor - but again these tend to be a global fail rather than intermittent. Fluid pressure bleed down is the most common for not getting the gear you wanted. You'll see this in VAG COM in measuring blocks as excessive transmission slip. Which is normally bad. Drive the car with VAG COM and look at measuring blocks group 7 field 1 - you'll see gear changes and what the car thinks the box is doing!

 

Also the solenoids do fail ... but again VAG COM does a good job of seeing that! BUT it is not all doom & gloom - I had a mk1 that was strange - after a fluid change it was like brand new! So yes that £100 on a change might just be the love the box needed.

 

Scan first then see. But make sure if you get a lead & VCDS then monitor the box - you might have a cheaper repair. Also water gets into the big plug at the battery & the transmission connector - take both appear clean & then spray with a good lube and reseat.

 

Regards,

 

Steve

[blenny1705]

Thanks for that .....also the box has developed a clunkyish gear change if you know what I mean it sort of makes a whoop squeaky noise then goes into gear fine ...indicates all gears fine on selector i.e d   3   r   p  n  etc weird is my box going boom or is it something minor...........

Hi,

 

Normally with the AG4 boxes a missed or slow change from 3rd to 4th is relating to box fluid pressure leaking down and thus not engaging 4th gear (this applies if it is intermittent and when engaged it is fine) - sonnax the people in the US who make repair kits for lots of auto boxes have this under their "common" fix kits lists! Not a horrid job to do but would need to go to an auto gearbox specialist to have it done. BUT remember that you might have 4th you might not have the TCC locking up properly which makes it feel like you've not got 4th when in fact you have - you just don't have the clutch locking up. The higher gears slip first with low box pressure - I think 01192 in VAG COM is the TCC slipping.

 

There are other possibilities but a scan with VAGCOM will eliminate all the "electrical" issues causing this - 99% of the time you'll see Gear Monitoring: Implausible Signal - which means the output speed does not match a pre-set range for the input speed. Consider the box has 3000rpm in and then output says 3000rpm in 1:1 that's fine - but 3000rpm in and 1000rpm out means 2000rpm's are going somewhere! That triggers that fault code 00652. One to watch for!

 

It can be a faulty sensor - but again these tend to be a global fail rather than intermittent. Fluid pressure bleed down is the most common for not getting the gear you wanted. You'll see this in VAG COM in measuring blocks as excessive transmission slip. Which is normally bad. Drive the car with VAG COM and look at measuring blocks group 7 field 1 - you'll see gear changes and what the car thinks the box is doing!

 

Also the solenoids do fail ... but again VAG COM does a good job of seeing that! BUT it is not all doom & gloom - I had a mk1 that was strange - after a fluid change it was like brand new! So yes that £100 on a change might just be the love the box needed.

 

Scan first then see. But make sure if you get a lead & VCDS then monitor the box - you might have a cheaper repair. Also water gets into the big plug at the battery & the transmission connector - take both appear clean & then spray with a good lube and reseat.

 

Regards,

 

Steve

[BrianH]

If the box is low on fluid it will play up usually quite randomly as the fluid shifts around the system. I wouldn't be too sure if you will damage it either running it for extended periods like that. I'd look at whats been advised above then investigate the amount and condition of the fluid.

[Steve_Mk1_2.3A]

Hi,

 

The whoop squeaky noise is normally the box sound when they are getting on and the fluid is in not to great shape! The clunk can be lots of things - the valve bodies do wear (well the pistons etc.) and this causes the pressure to leak about the box - other things cause that as well but the VB with time begins to wear - and you'll have differing faults depending on what is worn.

 

A good trans specialist can probably tell you if fluid alone will help or you need some more bits. A VB overhaul is not mega money - nor is a torque converter. The box complete however is expensive - they were new and they are now!

 

But they are very fixable. Try a scan & fluid and see how you get on.

 

Steve