Loco

New Member
Hi all,
My disco is behaving a little odd and I'm trying to get to the bottom of it.

First off, for a while, I've been getting weird random kickdowns on the auto box. I'll be driving along on the flat with a constant pressure on the throttle. Suddenly, the box will kick down, rev to hell, then go back into the 'gear' it was in before.

Recently, it's also been running hot: after just a 5 min drive I'll stop the engine and the fan will be running. Something must be wrong here.

Finally, when it's cold and I reverse out my driveway, then go into drive, I'll get the gearbox going into limp mode.

I've read briefly about the viscous coupling - what should I be looking for, and how much is it going to set me back?!!

Thanks in advance!
 
I would first check the gearbox oil might be an idea to change the oil and filter while you at it
 
Auto box oil and filter was changed relatively recently, though - less than 10-15K miles ago. I'll get it changed though.

What about the throttle position sensor/sensor that checks for kickdown?
 
Auto box oil and filter was changed relatively recently, though - less than 10-15K miles ago. I'll get it changed though.

What about the throttle position sensor/sensor that checks for kickdown?

Hi Loco, before you spend any money at all, check the fluid level in the autobox. The vehicle needs to be parked on level ground. It's easy and straightforward to do. I strongly recommend that you do this yourself to ensure it is done properly. It is not at all unknown for the garage to use the wrong procedure when re-filling which would give at least some of the symptoms you speak of.

Here is the correct procedure, step by step:

1. Get underneath the car and locate the 'level/fill' plug on the front face of the autobox sump. It will either be a Torx or Allen plug of approx 25mm in diameter. Identify which it is and what bit is needed to undo it - Torx or Allen;

2. The next part of this procedure needs to be done with a cold engine;

3. Now slacken but do not remove this plug - this is in preparation for what we are going to do soon;

4. Start the engine, allow to settle for a minute to a good tickover, now select each gear lever position in turn, pausing 2-3secs to allow drive take-up; R pause, D pause, 3 pause, 2 pause, 1 pause then back to P.

NB. LEAVE THE ENGINE RUNNING

5. Now get back under the vehicle, with a drip tray in place to catch any oil remove the level/fill plug. If the level is correct you should have a VERY small amount of oil start to gently seep out.

If none comes out, it means the level is too low and you need to top-up until it starts to flow gently back out. Then replace the level/fill plug and snug up tight.

It would be advisable to have 2 or 3 one litre bottles of Dexron III auto trans fluid in stock before starting this procedure, just in case.

Once the autobox has been checked/topped-up as above, go for a test drive and evaluate, then report back here.

Cheers and good luck,

Dave
 
Hi - I am having a similar problem, I have tried to check the oil level, I have the front wheels up on ramps, and believe I have run through all the gears properly, but when I remove the fill plug, there is oil still coming out. I am convinced my issue is caused by low oil, and thought with the vehicle lifted at the front would allow me to even "over" fill it slightly (probably not a good idea in retrospect)... however, as I say it still spews oil when I take the plug out. Yes the engine is running, I have gone through each gear. It started doing this last week and since "checking" the oil and thus losing some it is worse, hence my prognosis.

Any ideas?
 

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