VR4 auto box stuck on 2nd gear

[Nikkei]

hi all..newbie to the forums

I got a import VR4 and the autobox has stuck on 2nd gear..i had the box/convetor re-con and it was running fine till oneday it just drop all the gear and no gear number light on the dash when engine start also when drive in 2nd its jerk abit then smooth but don't happen when kickdown.

normal you get N then into 1st the 1 should light up to show your in 1st gear but no number lights are on also are there any VR4 specialist in/or near Manchester.

[Nick Mann]

It sounds like your ecu is toast. You should have gear indication on the dash.
The other thing to suggest is the fuse for the ecu.

[Nikkei]

thx for the reply :).

no lights on the dash when in gear and the tippy don't work either on any gear so its only in 2nd..i have booked it in for a read so hope I get some codes.

how hard are those ecu to find and cost?.

my car is a 1999 VR4.

[Davezj]

you can read the code yourself for free just search on here for 'reading error codes'
it is done with bent paper clip nothing more
a full list of codes are available as well, search for 'complete error codes'

[Nikkei]

thx for the info dave and I have check that post out already about reading code using paper clip in pin 1-4 but I am not that good at these things and don't to mess it up.

I have already spend 1200 on fixing the gearbox so don't want any more big spent :).

will need more of you guys help to fix once I got the code.

[John TheAntique]

Just make sure the plug on the gear selector, a white triangular thing about 3 inches long on top of the gear box under the MAF, is seated correctly because if it is not it will give similar symptoms.

[Nikkei]

i will have a look at that john and let you know if that fix it or not..thx for the help :)

[Davezj]

i will have a look at that john and let you know if that fix it or not..thx for the help :)

are you sure it is stuck in 2nd gear and not 3rd. normally if something on the gear box fails it will go into 3rd gear.

the select switch on the top of the gear box is a good idea, if the cable slips on the switch the gear selector and selector switch are out of sync and this can cause issues.

[Nikkei]

yeh dave..its 2nd as the rpm reads.

I have check the fuse and gear selector and they are all good..i also check the other sensor too ( speed sensor I think ) and that's find too so I guess it might be some sort of ecu/wires problems.

its booked in for a read this weekend so will know whats going on and if its the ecu stuff..is there any good place where I can get one? also are there any VR4 garage near Manchester.

[Davezj]

yeh dave..its 2nd as the rpm reads.

I have check the fuse and gear selector and they are all good..i also check the other sensor too ( speed sensor I think ) and that's find too so I guess it might be some sort of ecu/wires problems.

its booked in for a read this weekend so will know whats going on and if its the ecu stuff..is there any good place where I can get one? also are there any VR4 garage near Manchester.

sorry for sounding a bit scepticle but when you say you have checked them and they are OK how have you checked them, had a look and they are still there?
or in the case of the selecter switch, loosened the nut on the selector cable at the gear box, set the position of the selector switch, made sure the gear stick is in the correct position then tighten up the nut on the selector switch, a few millimeters too tight or a slightly slack cable and the gear selection will not work. i know, i have set up mine incorrectly in the pasted and thought i had destroyed the gearbox.
the speed sensor did you remove it power it up and spin the wheel and measure the output?
or i would imagine the speed sensor can be said to be working if the dsah speedo is working.
but the input and output shaft sensor i am not sure about testing them.

i just want to make sure you are not jumping to conclusions and going to spend lots of money you don't need to.

[Nikkei]

i didn't remove them and just checking they are tight and plug up the right way and no loose ends..i did chat to the guys that re-build the box and they are 100% its not the box and its deffo electrical.

i was also told about those input/output sensor too but i really thinks its the ecu problems..will get a video of the problems and i wont be spenting anymore money on it so if cant be fix or cost few more 100s then i will sell it as is cuz i have spent over 4k on engine and wheel and other stuff since i had the car and the gearbox had already cost 1200 to repair :(

[Davezj]

When you find out what the issue is let us know. Also make sure you get the part number of the ecu if it is at fault as one of might have spare auto ecu that can be bought.

[Nikkei]

will let you guys know whats wrong with it on sat and thx for the info and help guys :).

[Nikkei]

dam flu put me on hold for 8 days but I am back to fix this with you guys help lol.

well it came back from the dealer and they cant get into the ECU so no reading and they also say its sensor issue but didn't say which.

I also use wire to pin 1-4 and no flashing lights on the dash but I might be doing it wrong also there are a white plug next to the black one so maybe I use the wrong one?.

gona spent a day one it tomorrow so can guys tell me list of things I should check and location pls.

don't you think its risky to use the car while stuck in 2nd gear as I been driving it to the dealer and few other places to find help.

[Davezj]

dam flu put me on hold for 8 days but I am back to fix this with you guys help lol.

well it came back from the dealer and they cant get into the ECU so no reading and they also say its sensor issue but didn't say which.

I also use wire to pin 1-4 and no flashing lights on the dash but I might be doing it wrong also there are a white plug next to the black one so maybe I use the wrong one?.

gona spent a day one it tomorrow so can guys tell me list of things I should check and location pls.

don't you think its risky to use the car while stuck in 2nd gear as I been driving it to the dealer and few other places to find help.

have a look at post 4 on this thread, search for the reading error codes thread the process is full documented with pictures. and there is a link to an FTO web site where it is documented as well. The is no point in wasting time typing all out again.
http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?13785-Fault-Codes-Accessing&highlight=access+diag%2A+code%2A
http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?59792-Diagnostic-Checks&highlight=diagnostic+codes
http://ftowa.com/html/workshop/workshopart07.html

diagnostic codes are here
http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?22930-diagnostic-codes-complete-set&highlight=reading+error+codes

this lot should keep you busy,
if you can't access any of the links it is probably because you are not a paid up member just a registered member.
hower the link i put up directly to the FTO site has the error code reading proceedure in it.



This is an interesting thread even if not really related. "Basic Introduction to ECUflash rom tuning and Evoscan logging"
http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?67698-Basic-Introduction-to-ECUflash-rom-tuning-and-Evoscan-logging&highlight=basic+ecuflash

[Nikkei]

nice one for that dave and i see your in Manchester too..maybe i can link you if i have no joy? lol.

don't know if you can read the report from dealer and was surprise they cant even read the ecu.

i took that sensor out and clean and put back in and the other 1 i didn't cuz my speedo reading works so i guess that one is fine..i disco the power for 30mins and going for a drive then going to check for codes.

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg50/Herbmaster_album/091020151020.jpg (http://s245.photobucket.com/user/Herbmaster_album/media/091020151020.jpg.html)

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg50/Herbmaster_album/091020151015.jpg (http://s245.photobucket.com/user/Herbmaster_album/media/091020151015.jpg.html)

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg50/Herbmaster_album/091020151016.jpg (http://s245.photobucket.com/user/Herbmaster_album/media/091020151016.jpg.html)

few pics of car :).

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg50/Herbmaster_album/091020151019.jpg (http://s245.photobucket.com/user/Herbmaster_album/media/091020151019.jpg.html)

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg50/Herbmaster_album/091020151017.jpg (http://s245.photobucket.com/user/Herbmaster_album/media/091020151017.jpg.html)

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg50/Herbmaster_album/091020151018.jpg (http://s245.photobucket.com/user/Herbmaster_album/media/091020151018.jpg.html)

[Confused]

Have you definitely checked all your fuses. I had one that gave issues of not selecting any gears (and therefore defaulting to only 3rd gear, no lights on the dash etc) - and it had simply blown a fuse.

Have you definitely got power at the gearbox ECU (have you got a digital multimedia and measured the voltage on the permanent power/ignition feeds to the ECU. Have you checked the grounds from the gearbox ECU.


From the symptoms you give - staying in one gear (believe me, it'll be 3rd, as every other gear is chosen using oil pressure and solenoids, which will default to OFF with no power), none of the lights on the dash - it sounds like an electrical issue.


You say you've recently had work done to the gearbox - what work, and why did you have it done?

[Nikkei]

hey thx for the help confused :).

I have spent a good day on it yesterday and have check plus done a lot of reading too but still same and to your question..

fuses I have check 2 times but I might have missed 1 so can you pls tell me where that fuse is pls mate I will check again.
there is power going to the ecu and all the wires that connect to it looks ok.
I am sure its in 2nd gear as with revs at 4k the mph say 35-38mph.
the box totally collapsed on a trip up north and it had all the bearing/solenoids and some gear replace..the work was done at autobox specialist in denton Manchester.

I also think is a sparky too mate cuz when no green dots when I put into tip mode I kinda thought big money again lol all other lights on the dash works..really hope its not the ecu that's gone bad.

2mins vids of the self check :).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-qtrC4Stoc&feature=youtu.be

[Confused]

OK, so errors being displayed there are:

Engine ECU: 12 - Air Flow Sensor

AYC: 41 - TPS system (broken wire or short circuit)

ABS: None


Missing from that are Auto (the N light should flash), and TCL (the "skiddy car" light), assuming you've got it.



I can't remember which fuse it was, but I seem to remember it was a fuse in the fuse box above your knee, rather than one in the engine bay.

If the ECU definitely has power as far as the connector (and you've checked *all* the power feeds, both permanent and ignition-switched, and all the grounds from the ECU go to ground), then it might well be that the ECU is dead, as Nick Mann said.

If you replace the ECU, you need to ensure that it comes from a car which had the exact same type of gearbox fitted - there are 3(?) types of gearbox, and the ECU must match!

From memory (someone else will correct me if I'm wrong) the types of box are something like:

Type 1: external filter
Type 2: external filter, "OWC" written somewhere on the outside
Type 3: no external filter and "OWC" written someone on the outside

[Nikkei]

I forgot to plug the air flow back in so the air flow is fix lol.

would you think the AYC can cuz the problems? and as you can see there are no green lights for the gears on the dash.

I got the gearbox id but its really down to how much to fix it :(.

I will deffo check that fuse box again mate and thx for the help :).

[kiwigalant]

Honestly I'd forget the dealer, there may be some there that have experience with these cars, but the one you went to just no, I'm not sure they would even know what JDM stands for. Check and replace fuse 3 in the cabin fuse box as per below, I had the same problem with a VR4 I recently bought being stuck in 3rd and no lights on the dash.

73574

[Davezj]

Here is a link to the thread that tells you which fuse is which

http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?46787-VR4-Fuse-Blocks-Cabin-amp-Engine-Bay&highlight=fuse+box

[Nikkei]

check all the fuses and its all ok so I guess its down to the box's ecu :(.

gona take it out and have my mate take alook see if can be fix and if cant be fix do you guys know if any go 1 for sale and how much?

really big thanks to all of you guys here for info and help..great place tobe with any VR4 :).

thanks again guys /thankyou

[Davezj]

check all the fuses and its all ok so I guess its down to the box's ecu :(.

gona take it out and have my mate take alook see if can be fix and if cant be fix do you guys know if any go 1 for sale and how much?

really big thanks to all of you guys here for info and help..great place tobe with any VR4 :).

thanks again guys /thankyou

have a look at the the number on the ecu box and post it up, i have some spare autobox ecu's, but most of which i have bought as spares for me, but you can borrow the correct box and try fitting it to your car and verify for definite that it is this at fault.
i might even have 2 of a couple of the ecu so i might have the correct one for sale, but you will have to post up your ecu number.

[Nikkei]

the unit is with my friends at mo for a look and hope he can repair it and if that fails then I would deffo get back to you next few days dave and thx man for your skillfull info :)

[Nikkei]

the fault on the control unit was some of those tiny copper tracks have lifted off the PCB and snap so he re-solder the tracks back up with some wires.

put the control unit back in and all the green dots are back on the dash and all gears are fine so went out for a drive to test and its all good but the front right brake caliper seem tobe sticking abit which pull the car when hard braking :(.

is there any kits to fix the brake caliper or can I use some other makes also I would like to fix that AYC too :)

AYC: 41 - TPS system (broken wire or short circuit)

[Davezj]

Glad to hear you got the ecu sorted.
Are the brakes standard?
If so you need remove the wheel. And try unbolting the caliper, it should be smooth action with no binding. It will probably be the top bolt binding as it has a rubber seal on the end of it and if you use any grease apart from red rubber grease the seal will expand and bind up.

[Nikkei]

yeh they are standard items and I wanted to upgrade them to bigger one like AP off the evos so wonder if they are same..i always feel the car is too heavy for those tiny brakes.

its the cylinder seal which has broke and rust have took over abit on the cylinder so I think that causing it to stick.

I been reading on the AYC problems and do you think having 19s with 235/35 F and 255/30 R could have give fault code 41 or its another thing?.

[Confused]

I am running mismatched tyres front/back (235/45/17 front, 255/40/17 rear), and it's been fine for over 80,000 miles :)

The TPS error sounds like either a faulty throttle position sensor, or a broken wire between the TPS and the ECUs.


I got a full set of rubbers for the standard calipers from BrakeParts (http://www.brakeparts.co.uk) a couple of years ago, and gave my calipers a refurbishment.

As you have a 99 VR4, it's a facelift? In which case, the Brembo calipers from an Evo will bolt straight up (assuming that your wheels are of a suitable spoke design to clear them).

However - standard calipers, with plain discs, and a set of Carbotech XP-8 pads is an amazing braking setup, and will outperform even bigger brake setups with lesser pads!

[Nikkei]

thought I close this thread cuz the problem is fix.

really thx to the guys with the help :).

[Davezj]

we will have to try and get a north west meet organised at some point, there is a north west monthly meet thread on here so have a look at it and join in.

we have not had a meet for some time so we are due one soon.

http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?59964-North-West-monthly-meet&highlight=north+west+monthly+meet