(Home) auto g/box pulling away

Hi,I have an F reg spacecruiser with an automatic gearbox.When driving everything is fine but when you pull away there is no movement then it jumps.You have to put the pedal along way down to get it to engage gear.This happens both in forward and reverse gears.
Can you help please.I am an average ability DIYer,but a long way from a mechanic.Any help would be gratefully received.
Alan

- (#1494) Alan, 22 May 05 10:40

Alan, have you checked the gearbox fluid level? This should be done with the engine fairly hot and the engine running. Your symptoms indicate that the fluid is low and that the gearbox, internal pump, is being starved of fluid. Also, inside the gearbox sump is a very fine filter and, if this has not been cleaned for a long time, it may well be restricting the flow of fluid. With the sump drained and off, it is an opportunity to check/clean the magnetic blocks. These sit in the sump and collect any bits of swarf/metal etc and stop it circulating through the autobox. A change of fluid usually works wonders and, if it is coloured dark/dirty brown instead of crimson, it is an idication that it has been in there for a long time.
Because of the construction of an autobox, all the fluid cannot be drained but, another drain/change a few weeks on, will mean that the majority of the fluid is fresh. New oil is added via the filler tube, there is no filler plug.

- (#1494) John Davis (Leics), 22 May 05 10:51

"New oil is added via the filler tube, there is no filler plug."
Sorry, I should have said "via the dipstick tube" and you are likely to see two level marks, one for the level when hot, and one for the level when cold. It's best to use the hot level mark as above
- (#1494) John Davis (Leics), 22 May 05 10:55

have you also checked the cable it should be slightly slack

- (#1494) edy, 22 May 05 11:39

Hi,thanks for that.The throttle cable was changed about a month ago and the filter was cleaned,as were the magnets.It has had a fluid change but hasn't really been run much since to warm anything up as it is on sorn.I'll try running for awhile then recheck fluid.Will this still work if stationary or does it actually have to go into gear and be mobile.I only ask as it is not road legal yet.
Alan

- (#1494) Alan, 22 May 05 11:54

It needs to go through all the gears a couple of times to circulate the fluid....but this can be done stationary with the engine hot and running (and brake on). Double check the level when its mobile again though

- (#1494) chris turner, 22 May 05 12:17

the way I check mine is level surfice and with engine running go through all gears and then check while in "n" take a couple of checks as fluid is moving

- (#1494) edy, 22 May 05 12:21

Hi guy's!
Just reading this link and taking into account all the above measures; my gearbox having been serviced, it still tends to suffer from the same problem - though not as extreme - when the engine and box is well warm, say, after 1/2 hr. of driving.
Are there any other possible reasons for this malfunction, such as seals - maybe? It's a pain in the ass when it kicks!
Tony
- (#1494) Tony Knight, 24 May 05 06:57

Sounds like the fluid pressure is low at idle when hot. Might be worth trying one of the fluid additives (Lucas, for example) to try and thicken it up a bit , before condemning the 'box...

- (#1494) David Miller, 24 May 05 11:09