Auto slow to move up the gears

[James Hobden]

I'm hoping someone can help, we have a 2.7TDI 2000, we went away with our caravan and noticed the temp would go over its normal 1/2 mark but would come back down, what I noticed was the auto box did not respond as normal it would have to get to 3500 revs before it moved on to the next gear? It also does this whilst not towing? Is my gear box on its way out?
Many thanks james

 

[R1cho]

try lifting your foot up off the pedal when you think it should change, it should change sooner then

 

[James Hobden]

I'm going take it for a run on the dual carriage way this way I will be able to establish the change up and down, I will also try your suggestion
Thanks

 

[briggie]

as r1cho says ...... but if you have a rocker type switch on the dash marked " power " economy , and auto ........ or similar ..... make sure its not set on power mode :thumb2


also check atf level

 

[James Hobden]

Thanks, we do its set to normal, the other is sport or snow
James

 

[rustic]

I know nothing about automatics, but does the temperature of the box cause it to shift at different revs, if it is, then it could be a temperature sensor that's faulty.
Like I said, I have no experience of these autos...
Just a thought.:nenau

 

[micktheshed]

I'm hoping someone can help, we have a 2.7TDI 2000, we went away with our caravan and noticed the temp would go over its normal 1/2 mark but would come back down, what I noticed was the auto box did not respond as normal it would have to get to 3500 revs before it moved on to the next gear? It also does this whilst not towing? Is my gear box on its way out?
Many thanks james

Have you done any basic checks eg. gear box oil level & oil colour? This should be clean & not smell at all burnt (signifying condition) these checks are quite critical.
The oil level MUST be checked with a hot engine & at tickover speed, on level ground.

If you have any doubts regarding oil condition then I suggest a change is overdue.

 

[macabethiel]

I'm hoping someone can help, we have a 2.7TDI 2000, we went away with our caravan and noticed the temp would go over its normal 1/2 mark but would come back down, what I noticed was the auto box did not respond as normal it would have to get to 3500 revs before it moved on to the next gear? It also does this whilst not towing? Is my gear box on its way out?
Many thanks james

When towing the gear shift changes will move up the normal range due to the engine load even on a diesel. As others have posted lifting off the throttle will sometimes make the box shift up. Gear shift points are also affected by fluid temperature. Personally for towing I would change the ATF every year or consider using fully synthetic fluid
Fuchs do a number of high spec fluids for Dexron 111 based boxes. PM me if you want details. Ted

 

[James Hobden]

Thank you for the advice regarding the gearbox oil, I had my local garage change the oil, so will see how this goes this weekend as I'm taking the caravan out for the last time this season.
Thanks
James

 

[macabethiel]

Gearbox ATF

Thank you for the advice regarding the gearbox oil, I had my local garage change the oil, so will see how this goes this weekend as I'm taking the caravan out for the last time this season.
Thanks
James

Do not forget when the garage changed the oil its just under 50 % oil change due to the volume of ATF in the torque convertor.

From memory when you drain the transmission oil you get just under 4 Litres out of the box whereas the total gearbox oil capacity is around the 9 Litres Mark so an effective oil change needs two ATF changes in fairly close succession.

Did they give you any feedback on what the old ATF condition was in terms of colour or viscosity it can tell you an awful lot about the state of the transmission ?

 

[rustic]

...From memory when you drain the transmission oil you get just under 4 Litres out of the box whereas the total gearbox oil capacity is around the 9 Litres Mark so an effective oil change needs two ATF changes in fairly close succession.
:thumb2 ...

So 1 oil change is less than 50% oil change, a second one will give you approx 75% oil change, where 3/4 of the oil will be new, so bear that in mind if the old oil is toasted.

A third oil change will give you approx 87.5% new oil etc etc...
So can work out quite expensive.

But you would need to run the auto box for a fair few miles to make sure all the oil is mixed well, prior to the second draining.


Rustic

 

[macabethiel]

AFT and the purge effect

Rustic is quite right its the law of diminishing returns and you end up with with what is known in Chemical Engineering Terms as the purge effect where every successive oil changes reduces the percentage of the old oil content.

That is why when I buy a new vehicle I do two changes within a month then change every year thereafter using the best fluid I can afford.

On a used vehicle out of warranty it gives you peace of mind and you are continually monitoring the condition of the fluid and therefore the gearbox.

I have run automatics for well over 20 years and never had a transmission failure I consider Auto Gearboxes more reliable than manual what with the cost of clutches etc.

Back in the 70's on new vehicles such as Opel & vAUXHALL when you ordered a new vehicle you could include an upgraded oil cooler for towing. The continual improvement of ATF specifications Has led to this no longer being needed.

 

[melissachels]

I know certainly with the auto range rover & the auto surf we had/have to lift off the pedal at around 2 1/4 to get them to change up, I would expect it to change up at a higher rev when towing due to extra load (the same as you do with a manual) but should change before 3.5.

I'd check your aft fluid level & prob change it to be on the safe side, tho check you get the right grade for the box or it can cause damage.