Au series 1 issue! No gears! HELP please

[imbhvn]

Hey guys, got an au series 1 wagon (work horse) Automatic transmission

Its just clicked over to 400,000 ks

Once it warms up it loses gears (gets stuck in 3rd im guessing)

Also, the cooling system gets no pressure and the top radiator hose is quite hotter than the lower 1.

Ive replaced the waterpump, Radiator, Thermostat and Temp sensor.

The temperature guage sits between the n + o but the car feels hotter....

Anyone know of any fixs or what the problem may be?

I dont want to go out and buy a transmission if its not the problem.

Thanks in advance,

Tim.

[Maka]

Hi Tim, if it's in limp mode, consider getting a ecu scan done by a trusted local mechanic or SuperCheap etc. It'll tell you exactly what the problem is, no guessing. I'm wondering if you bled the cooling system properly with the heater on hot & fan dialed on max? Do your radiator fan's work properly at idle when the motor is up to temp?

cheer's, Maka

[imbhvn]

Thanks for the reply mate, cooling system was definately bled.

As for the fans, they are constantly running at all times but not as hard as they should, if i disconnect the temp sensor then they come on full.

[portokatsiki]

I would check the inhibitor switch on the box it's only about 70 bucks if you need to change it. I don't think the cooling system would effect it unless the radiator is blocked and doesn't cool the transmission .

[mif73]

You might see a Trans overheat signal (either real or false) with an ECU scan.
That will also put it into limp home mode (stuck in 3rd etc).
Good luck.

[imbhvn]

Okay so the scan would need to be done whilst in limp mode? Or at any time? My partners brother works at ford so he could most likely bring the scan tool home.

[imbhvn]

Hey guys im yet to get a scan done but i have done a test to see if the pump is gone in the tranny and i have ruled that out of the question, although when i done the test the oil was a dark black colour, is it possible that the transmission would just need a service and thats all the problem is? Im not sure when its last service was as i only bought the car mid last year. Ive also re flushed and bled the cooling system 3 times and reset the ecu (disconnecting battery overnight) any help is appreciated thanks.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by imbhvn

Hey guys im yet to get a scan done but i have done a test to see if the pump is gone in the tranny and i have ruled that out of the question, although when i done the test the oil was a dark black colour, is it possible that the transmission would just need a service and thats all the problem is?

Sounds like that's the original Trans oil.

Pretty sure Auto Trans oil is meant to be Red

[Maka]

A couple of Au owner's i know of have changed out the black transmission fluid while in limp mode & the transmission started working properly again, hope that's the case with your AU. Btr's are known to be sensitive to worn out transmission fluid. Good luck with it!

cheer's, Maka

[imbhvn]

Cheers for the replies will hopefully get around to it this weekend! Hard doing work on a car you need everyday for work :(

[imbhvn]

Okay, well, i just done the filter and oil in the trans and the problem remains. Although i didnt do a complete oil change (torque convertor line and rad) im not sure what else the problem may be? Looks like i really need to get this scan done!

[gregaust]

400 K and bad oil , one sure fix is rebuild time . Anything else you are throwing good $$ away trying to patch this one up.

[naughtyfalcon]

i can also guarantee the s5 solenoid will be stuffed , i had my el trans serviced , the oil was black as , had it serviced , had the s5 replaced and it died two weeks later , get a second hand trans from a wrecker making sure all the oil was drained , that way you get brand new oil.