Worried Auto Gearbox Is Knackered

[Guest bigal]

:) Hi i have just been on a trip to Scotland, on the way up there was quite a loud bang when it changed gear, was a bit concerned but continued on and seemed ok after that. On the way back today on a couple of occasions when accelarating it revved really high (uphill) but didnt increase speed. Then when nearly home it wouldnt go into 4th gear even in tip mode. I stopped turned the engine of and continued on and everything was back to normal.

 

The release brake when in P or N works fine and kick down worked ok too, I was quite surprised how fast i could overtake on country roads.

 

Is there anything in particular i should check for?

 

Does it sound like its on its way out?

 

 

Another thing i noticed was occasionally there was a noise when it changed gear which sounded like a relay engaging (like a popping noise), i dont know if this is anything to do with the problem.

 

 

Cheers

 

Alex

[dipsomaniac]

you need to check the transmission fluid level first. it is supposed to be a sealed box but can leak over time. a low level has caused my autobox to 'bang' between shifts.

 

You can check the fluid levels yourself, it is well documented on here. but i would take it to a specialist to have the box serviced - oil & filter change, fault codes read and test driven. should cost around

[Guest bigal]

Thanks for reply dipsomaniac, do think if i get the gearbox oil changed it might sort the problem.

It only goes into limp mode after clutch has "slipped". No more bangs or clunking so far, although it does make that like popping / clicking noise sometimes when changing gear.

 

Cheers

 

Alex

[NikpV]

checking autobox fluid levels

 

note the link on page two which links to another thread with some pictures in :(

[TKPeters]

I had a (New shape) 2000 (X) 2.3 Galaxy Ghia with a 'Triptronic' Auto Box

 

After 70k it started slipping & we had the dealer changed the oil with no effect, they state the oil is for the 'Life' of the car & is not part of the service schedule. :(

 

We had to replace all the clutch's inside / general overhaul at a cost of around

[dipsomaniac]

if car is not under any warranty i would take it to a autobox specialist to have the fault(s) diagnosed. It may be a simple repair.

 

if not, and they recommend a recon i would seriously consider trying to source a box from a low mileage write off instead.

[Guest bigal]

Thanks for replies

 

 

I took out a warranty with Warranty Direct when i bought the car 2 weeks ago, dont know if they will pay up cause it might be seen as wear and tear, which is only covered after 90 days. I will give them a call later.

 

The slipping only happens when the car has covered quite a few miles so wont show the garage anything unless it throws up a fault code.

 

I am really dissapointed as i love the car, i only changed it because my Passat was reaching 100,00 miles and didnt fancy any big repair bills.

 

 

Cheers

 

Alex

[NikpV]

Thanks for replies

 

 

I took out a warranty with Warranty Direct when i bought the car 2 weeks ago, dont know if they will pay up cause it might be seen as wear and tear, which is only covered after 90 days. I will give them a call later.

 

 

Alex

 

why rush wait a while - may cure itself :)

[dipsomaniac]

i would take it back to where you bought it and ask them to investigate. wear and tear items are tyres, brake pads and wipers. the warranty should insure you against major component failure eg. the gearbox.

[Guest bigal]

:unsure: Just heard from garage and its worse than we first thought apparentley the ECU has been waterlogged which has caused the problem with the gearbox. Dont know if this can be the cause has anyone any ideas?

 

So now the garage have to strip the gearbox out and give the warranty company an accurate cost for the whole job doing including ECU and maybe new loom.

 

I am afraid it is not going to be covered as the problem must have been there before i took out the warranty.

 

What sort of money am i looking at?

 

 

 

If i end up paying i will have to sell the car to pay for the repairs. :P

 

Cheers

 

Alex

[dipsomaniac]

can't see how a water damaged ECU can damage the autobox. Do they mean the transmission control module (TCM). Even if that was damaged I can't see why they would then have to strip the autobox.

 

It is either the TCM or ECU or gearbox - hightly unlikely to be all of them.

 

If the problem was there before you took out the warranty was it there when you bought the car?

[Guest bigal]

Hi dipsomaniac

 

No there didnt appear to be anything wrong with either before we bought the car or Warranty. Everything worked ok with electrics etc.

 

The mechanic said the ECU has been sending the gearbox the wrong info I.E. changing at wrong times being in the wrong gear etc. this is what has caused the clutch etc (he thinks) to break.

 

We will know better when the box is stripped.

 

I must admit I have used this garage for a number of years and do trust them, although im not saying your wrong. He is aware that with the likely cost of the job the warranty company will want to inspect the car when stripped down.

 

So its a waiting game really. I am really fed up. I really do love the car.

 

Ho Hum

 

Always look on the bright side of life etc etc.

 

:unsure:

[dipsomaniac]

i am assuming you bought the car privately/auction as you have not mentioned taking it back?

 

insurance against major part failure is the reason you take out a warranty. lets hope that the warranty company doesn't try to wriggle out of settling.

 

good luck. let us know how you get on.

[Guest bigal]

I bought the car from dealer trade sale, no warranty given or implied, hence the reason for me getting my own warranty. I figure they knew something was wrong with it. I am going to try and find out from previous owner.

 

Dont know how i will stand legally.

 

 

Not heard anything else yet, just a waiting game i guess.

 

Thanks dipsomaniac i will let you know how it goes.

 

Cheers

 

Alex

[Guest bigal]

Just found out the Warranty will not pay out for the repairs as they say it happened within 90 days and they class it as wear and tear which is not covered until after then. :lol:

 

So left with a bill of

[anadin]

Just found out the Warranty will not pay out for the repairs as they say it happened within 90 days and they class it as wear and tear which is not covered until after then. :lol:

 

So left with a bill of

[Guest bigal]

Cheers Anadin, I will fight all the way if i need to. :lol:

[Dave-G]

I bought the car from dealer trade sale, no warranty given or implied, hence the reason for me getting my own warranty. I figure they knew something was wrong with it. I am going to try and find out from previous owner.

 

Dont know how i will stand legally.

 

 

Not heard anything else yet, just a waiting game i guess.

 

Thanks dipsomaniac i will let you know how it goes.

 

Cheers

 

Alex

 

Sorry be the bearer of bad news but you bought bargain basement style.

 

This is how dealers get to buy their cars at such good prices, you pays yer money and use yer knowledge or contacts within the trade to get it fixed... Sorry mate but you have no complaint.

 

If you wanted the benefits of a warranted car you would of course have payed a much higher price.

[MrT]

Any goods sold by any trader have to be fit for purpose and last for a reasonable time. Unless you are a dealer yourself, it cannot have been a trade sale to a consumer. Disclaimers do not exempt anyone from the law.

[sepulchrave]

Your naivete is touching MrT, you are describing NEW goods. I'm afraid Dave-G is right and bigal is on his own here.

[MrT]

No the law applies to all goods sold to consumers by traders.

[anadin]

a trade sale is from one trader to another, if you sell to the public its a retail sale, and sale of goods act protect the purchaser

[Guest bigal]

Sorry for the confusion it was "sold as seen", (not "trade sale") no warranty given or implied. This was from a Ford dealer not some back street garage. Having spoken to Trading Standards, they say even though no warranty was given the goods must be fit for the use they are sold for, the car obviousley isnt, as the gearbox broke after only 9 days of purchase. This applies to anything you buy from a shop, dealer catalogue etc. ONLY if it is bought privately i.e from someones home does this rule not apply.

 

It may be that i will not get all of the money back due to what they call betterment, i.e. gearbox is in a better state than it should be for its age but i should hope to get at least the majority of the money back. (he says fingers crossed).

[NikpV]

good luck :D

[Guest bigal]

Thanks Nik :D