Member Since: 31 Dec 2021
Location: Taranaki
Posts: 278
Auto not changing up
Hi all
Help!
2006 D3 SE
4.0 petrol v6 cologne
Auto trans
167,000km
I'm 400 km away from home. On the trip over car has suddenly stopped changing up gears on the auto. ie. From start off, accelerate, trans won't shift into 2 or 2to3 etc. If I move the shifter left to manual change (command control), I can change from 1 to 2, 2 to 3, 3 to 4 etc no problem.
If slow down and come to a stop car changes back down normally when back in Auto (shifter back to right).
I had a quick read on this forum, someone suggested brake switch (I have a spare in glovebox). Someone else said engine temp sensor, someone else said transmission fluid.
Car has done 167,000km (just over 100,000 miles)
No faults on GAP IID. No faults on dash.
My main question is it safe to drive 400 km home or should I stop driving immediately.
Note Edited as I had too much personal details.
Thanks Blake
Last edited by Naki Blake on 15th Jul 2024 7:31 am. Edited 1 time in total
15th Jul 2024 6:24 am
loanrangie
Member Since: 18 Jun 2017
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 668
I would check fluid level first otherwise its possibly the internal valve body seals or even fluid in the mechatronic plug. I drove mine for about 6 months with it going into to limp mode every time i put load on it, nursed it to get by untill i could rebuild the valve body.
Take it easy and it should be ok.
15th Jul 2024 7:10 am
Naki Blake
Member Since: 31 Dec 2021
Location: Taranaki
Posts: 278
Thank Loanrangie
It's a sealed unit right? No dipstick for the auto trans.
Do I need to get it up on ramps at garage so they can take out a bung to check oil level?
15th Jul 2024 7:13 am
loanrangie
Member Since: 18 Jun 2017
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 668
Correct, in offroad height you can access the fill/level plug. Check the level with engine running.
15th Jul 2024 8:54 am
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15258
Have you changed a wheel over recently?
If you have one wheel on an axle with a different rolling radius to the other wheels, that would cause the problem.
Had this many years ago on my first D3 when I had a puncture and fitted the spare (of a different rolling radius).
Wouldn’t automatically shift up, but would do on command shift.
Refitting the original wheel (after the puncture repair) solved this.
15th Jul 2024 10:01 am
Naki Blake
Member Since: 31 Dec 2021
Location: Taranaki
Posts: 278
No wheel change. On way over however had the DSC light and brakes coming on with tight corners. So I used GAP to lower ride level height by 15mm. DSC light stopped activating. Then drove approx 200km with no problems. Stopped for a coffee and gear change issue began.
D3 has done 167,000 km. Apparently previous owner had trans oil changed at 100,000km. No signs of any leaks, no engine or trans drips on shed concrete floor at home. Will book in for a trans flush when I get home. No shudder, no variation in rev counter.
Thanks
15th Jul 2024 10:11 am
Naki Blake
Member Since: 31 Dec 2021
Location: Taranaki
Posts: 278
The other thing I can think of is that I have had the D3 parked at home in the shed, with the battery disconnected for the last 6 weeks (to preserve the charge). Its not a daily driver, and I work from home (farm). Its my tow vehicle (caravan and boat).
Would having the battery disconnected for months and not been driven, and then hoping in and driving approx 400km (250 ml) be a contributing factor?
Apart from a new suspension compressor a year or so ago (exhaust valve issue), the vehicle has been faultless, and reliable.
15th Jul 2024 10:58 am
Nc1989
Member Since: 28 Apr 2015
Location: Doncaster
Posts: 208
Are you towing with it now? If so try disconnecting the trailer electrics and see if that improves things as a poor trailer connection/issue on the trailer can cause shifting issues. Slightly different to your symptoms but I lost TC lockup the other week when towing a trailer with a dodgy electrics adaptor. Gave it a tweak and back to being good as gold.
15th Jul 2024 6:13 pm
Naki Blake
Member Since: 31 Dec 2021
Location: Taranaki
Posts: 278
Not towing today this trip. I am going to try and raise suspension back up to normal height today and see if this makes a difference. Due to drive home tomorrow (400 km trip), and will take it easy.
Thanks
15th Jul 2024 6:22 pm
Naki Blake
Member Since: 31 Dec 2021
Location: Taranaki
Posts: 278
Click image to enlarge
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Drove car today, 5 mins into journey, orange lights on dash and HDC fault. Faults won't clear, but looks to me my brake switch has failed.
Auto trans now changing gears, working normally. Car locked at normal height but suspension stiff.
I have a new spare brake pedal switch n glovebox which I will fit later.
Hopefully it's as easy as that.....
Last edited by Naki Blake on 15th Jul 2024 8:45 pm. Edited 1 time in total
15th Jul 2024 8:09 pm
Devon Z
Member Since: 14 Nov 2019
Location: Brixham Devon
Posts: 251
Check the brake lights, I had a similar issue with my gearbox not charging, turned out one was blown so replaced it thought I’d change the other as a precaution and found it had been arcing and getting hot and wouldn’t come out of the holder. Had to replace the bulb holder.
Afterwards the gearbox changed so much better so must of been an issue for a while.Steve
*2005 RR Sport 2.7tdv6 HSE. Current project.
*98 Volvo V70R FWD, owned 14 years, future project.
*99 BMW Z3 30k miles owned from new.
15th Jul 2024 8:42 pm
loanrangie
Member Since: 18 Jun 2017
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 668
Naki Blake wrote:
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
Drove car today, 5 mins into journey, orange lights on dash and HDC fault. Faults won't clear, but looks to me my brake switch has failed.
Auto trans now changing gears, working normally. Car locked at normal height but suspension stiff.
I have a new spare brake pedal switch n glovebox which I will fit later.
Hopefully it's as easy as that.....
Does look like the switch, an easy fix if it is.
16th Jul 2024 1:17 am
Naki Blake
Member Since: 31 Dec 2021
Location: Taranaki
Posts: 278
Problem solved. Left rear brake bulb blown. As suggested I changed the right hand one as well.
Just driven approx 400km home today, and D3 ran flawlessly, auto changing properly, faults cleared with GAP.
No HDU or trans faults.
I can't believe a $3 bulb could cause so much grief. Definitely a lesson there for me.
Thanks to everyone who offered advice or suggestions.
17th Jul 2024 3:42 am
loanrangie
Member Since: 18 Jun 2017
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 668
Yeah its ridiculous isn't it, only happens on the earlier models. I've had blown bulbs with not a single issue and didn't even know until someone pointed it out to me, brake switch on the other hand brings the show to a stop.
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