Hi,
Just returned from scary moment off-roading having lost reverse gear altogether high up in Spanish mountains. First sign of trouble was when kickdown cable (replaced a couple of months ago) suddenly appeared jammed again as pedal wouldn't travel beyond half way. No real issue because the climb was steep and I didn't need to go beyond 2nd gear anyway. managed to get to summit and stopped to investigate. Pedal travel back to normal. No ATF leaks or other sign of overheating. Did another 20km (up and down) with no issues. Next came a 6km steep climb. Started to smell hot ATF so stopped to check for leaks but found nothing. I need to mention here that my spare bottle of ATF that I keep under the bonnet in the cowl panel sprang a leak a couple of days previously so I put the smell down to what had spilled getting heated. We reached the top of the climb and just missed the waypoint for a hairpin right turn. Moved selector into reverse and then surprise: no clunk and no reverse!! After a moment of panic (we're at 1650m altitude on gravel tracks with the family on board and it's 38° degrees outside.....), I manage to edge left onto an unknown track. From what I can see it headed down into the the valley where I can glimpse a town about 15km away. Engine braking is working ok so we head down to the valley, being careful on each hairpin bend to get it right first time! We finally make it to the town and pull over for the night. About 30 min later I'm searching for clues (under bonnet and on net) and discover that reverse has now reappeared! ATF level still ok, no leaks etc so off to local garage next day for some advice. Mechanic thought that it might be the torque convertor failing as the ATF viscosity dropped when over heated. We decided to not risk any more offroad and limp back to France. During the day I lost reverse twice after mountain passes, only for it to return after a cooling off. The smell of ATF was still working up into the cab. 400km later and we're back home.
So now I need to establish what went wrong and decide whether it's a replacement box, a new torque converter, a new pump or something else....
Any ideas would be much appreciated!
Just returned from scary moment off-roading having lost reverse gear altogether high up in Spanish mountains. First sign of trouble was when kickdown cable (replaced a couple of months ago) suddenly appeared jammed again as pedal wouldn't travel beyond half way. No real issue because the climb was steep and I didn't need to go beyond 2nd gear anyway. managed to get to summit and stopped to investigate. Pedal travel back to normal. No ATF leaks or other sign of overheating. Did another 20km (up and down) with no issues. Next came a 6km steep climb. Started to smell hot ATF so stopped to check for leaks but found nothing. I need to mention here that my spare bottle of ATF that I keep under the bonnet in the cowl panel sprang a leak a couple of days previously so I put the smell down to what had spilled getting heated. We reached the top of the climb and just missed the waypoint for a hairpin right turn. Moved selector into reverse and then surprise: no clunk and no reverse!! After a moment of panic (we're at 1650m altitude on gravel tracks with the family on board and it's 38° degrees outside.....), I manage to edge left onto an unknown track. From what I can see it headed down into the the valley where I can glimpse a town about 15km away. Engine braking is working ok so we head down to the valley, being careful on each hairpin bend to get it right first time! We finally make it to the town and pull over for the night. About 30 min later I'm searching for clues (under bonnet and on net) and discover that reverse has now reappeared! ATF level still ok, no leaks etc so off to local garage next day for some advice. Mechanic thought that it might be the torque convertor failing as the ATF viscosity dropped when over heated. We decided to not risk any more offroad and limp back to France. During the day I lost reverse twice after mountain passes, only for it to return after a cooling off. The smell of ATF was still working up into the cab. 400km later and we're back home.
So now I need to establish what went wrong and decide whether it's a replacement box, a new torque converter, a new pump or something else....
Any ideas would be much appreciated!
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