Hippo
Lord Hippo
The official way to start diagnosing the Jatco (and most auto's) is to measure all sensors and solenoids when cold. Also check the level of the auto fluid. Changing the auto fluid has worked wonders for some on the Jatco but I don't think it will fix your problem on this occasion. I would hope the garage carried out a gearbox oil change when they changed the solenoids as it doesn't cost much and is quick to do if they're working on it anyway. Reading the error codes is always good but on Freelanders yer need to read the engine, auto and abs computers as they all play a part in the process of the auto functioning correctly. Engine computer requests gear change. Auto computer carries out the gear change. ABS provides feedback signals.
As said above there's a few parts which can crack causing loss of pressure of auto fluid, which causes loss of drive. In this situation the auto's computer see's the electrical signals it's monitoring, read incorrectly. It won't know if it's the sensor faulty or the signal the sensor is reading is faulty due to a physical fault. Hence why it defaults to F4 flashing and enters limp home mode because it sees an electrical problem. It's feasible to have cracks open up or seal when temperature rises. Others have had similar but few return with feedback after repair.
In a way you're lucky the auto can drive, be it only when warm. This proves it can work when it wants too which aids diagnostics. It's possible to measure the oil pressure via the points on the outside of the case using a pressure gauge. I would hope your garage either knows about auto's and typical faults on the Jatco. If not then it's a bit of a risk especially if the work done so far didn't solve the problem. It may be you have more than one fault which is why you still have issues after the solenoids where changed. This would be very unlucky. In the past peeps have paid around £600 for repair for replacing cracked pistons.
If you have lost faith in the garage you're using (I share the concerns of others raised above) then you would be betterer to look for an auto gearbox specialist in your area as opposed to a normal service/repair garage. The Jatco in the Freelander has been around since 2001 in Freelander's and is also used in many other cars in a slightly different format with different gear ratio's etc.
As said above there's a few parts which can crack causing loss of pressure of auto fluid, which causes loss of drive. In this situation the auto's computer see's the electrical signals it's monitoring, read incorrectly. It won't know if it's the sensor faulty or the signal the sensor is reading is faulty due to a physical fault. Hence why it defaults to F4 flashing and enters limp home mode because it sees an electrical problem. It's feasible to have cracks open up or seal when temperature rises. Others have had similar but few return with feedback after repair.
In a way you're lucky the auto can drive, be it only when warm. This proves it can work when it wants too which aids diagnostics. It's possible to measure the oil pressure via the points on the outside of the case using a pressure gauge. I would hope your garage either knows about auto's and typical faults on the Jatco. If not then it's a bit of a risk especially if the work done so far didn't solve the problem. It may be you have more than one fault which is why you still have issues after the solenoids where changed. This would be very unlucky. In the past peeps have paid around £600 for repair for replacing cracked pistons.
If you have lost faith in the garage you're using (I share the concerns of others raised above) then you would be betterer to look for an auto gearbox specialist in your area as opposed to a normal service/repair garage. The Jatco in the Freelander has been around since 2001 in Freelander's and is also used in many other cars in a slightly different format with different gear ratio's etc.