Now the auto transmission...

[negativentropy]

So I had a bunch of unrelated problems with my L400 this spring. Everything is resolved from that costly episode.

Now I do a road trip to Tofino and I notice in the morning the vehicle wont shift past 2nd gear. This goes away within a minute or so and after that everything is fine. This is now happening all the time. When the engine is cold it wont shift readily, and within a minute or so the problem goes away.

In a perhaps related problem, sometimes on a steep hill it feels like the transmission slips momentarily. However, this has always been the case since I've owned the vehicle.

This van had the full service when imported in 2010 with 105,000km. It now has 135,000km. I'm researching on what the problem could be. But if anyone as any immediate suggestions that would be great. I will avoid driving the vehicle until I know what to do about the problem.

[psilosin]

Maybe the Throttle position sensor is acting up and needs adjustment/replacement. There are a number of other members here that have had constant TPS issues leading to poor shifting (Fishtank and CREGAN for sure) so a search should turn up a howto or at least their names so you could contact them for more info and tips.

[tonydca]

Maybe the Throttle position sensor is acting up and needs adjustment/replacement. There are a number of other members here that have had constant TPS issues leading to poor shifting (Fishtank and CREGAN for sure) so a search should turn up a howto or at least their names so you could contact them for more info and tips.

X2:

http://www.delica.ca/forum/better-l400- ... tml#p52815

[negativentropy]

I'll give the TPS a try - the tran fluid is at a good level and color, but I'll double check it.

[negativentropy]

OK, I measured the TPS. It was 0.56 Volts. I bumped it up to 0.79 Volts and took the van for a run. The shifting felt nice, at around 2200rpm. But this problem has been intermittent, so I'll see how it goes.

Would the low TPS voltage explain the shifting at to high RPM?

[negativentropy]

Went for another drive today. Van seemed to run fine. Then parked it for two hours and drove it again. The erratic shifting is back - it took about 5 minutes of driving for the problem to go away.

I had a second person look at the A/T fluid - he felt it was superbly clean, with no odor.

Its hard to tell whether the transmission is slipping or shifting down into first or second gear.

Is it possible I have too much fluid in the transmission? When I test the level cold, its right in between the two cold lines, when I test the level hot its above to max fluid level by about 1cm...

[tonydca]

I don't know all the details of how the trannie shifts, but perhaps your lockup torque converter or the connections to it are getting erratic signals (loose wire, ???) That might make a slipping sensation if it drops out and back in again quickly.

[legionnair]

You have to much fluid trans should be up to operating temp then check while its idling, and it should be at the Max line. To full will cause the trans to run hotter and the fluid will airate in the pan causing air erratic problems

[negativentropy]

Well I had to take out 500ml of tranny oil to get it within the acceptable hot range. Hopefully this solves it.

Defintely dont use the cold gauge to fill your ATF...

[MardyDelica]

hi, check the trottle cable that go to the transmission sometime it loose.
then replace the TPS, i have one time same problem.
and i solve it
hope this help
Mardy

[negativentropy]

For now draining the excess oil has resolved the problem.

[legionnair]

Very easy and common mistake glad it worked for you

[negativentropy]

So this problem is back - it seems to coincide with cold, damp weather. If I put it in 2nd gear it will always shift up to 2nd as usual. If I put it Drive it will often not shift to second, but stay in first gear. After about 10 minutes of driving and getting everything warmed up the problem resolves itself and the transmission runs perfectly.

The ATF has 37'000 KM on it. Suggestions?

[madmazda]

I know mine gets grumpy until the transmission warms up then shifts fine.....

[negativentropy]

Yeah this isnt normal - the van was left for 5 days and when I had to use it today it took driving 30km in second gear before it would shift into 3rd and fourth.

The behaviour is exactly as follows: If I put it in "D" it wont shift past first. If I put it in "2" it will go to second gear fine. When I shift from "2" to "D" it momentarily stays in 3rd or 4th gear then down shifts to second. As the car has been running for longer it stays in 3rd or 4th for longer until it finally ceases down shifting to second. When it does down shift from 3rd to 2nd, it will never shift back up. I have to shift to second or neutral, then back to "D" and if the van has been running long enough it will eventually stay in 3rd or 4th.

No clue. Once it seems to be working it stays working fine, no slipping or anything - when the car has been allowed to sit for at least 12 hours the problem occurs again. The longer the car sits, the worse the problem seems.

Tonight I am going to park it inside in a warmish/dry environment and see if that has any effect.