gearbox problems

[mattyz]

so ive had my legnum for a few months, gotta be one of the best cars ive owned. when i bought it had a slight gearbox problem on it, when it changes from 2-3 it goes 2-3-2-3-2-3 and then 3but it used to do it really quick and barely noticable but yday i took it to work and it was 2....3.....2.....3.....2 and then finally goes into 3, any ideas what it is? and cost? im really just thinking about selling it for parts or repair, still got 5 months mot, and some tax, just getting a bit tired with it now. would there be much interest for it?

[Nick Mann]

Fluid or mismatched ecu.

[mattyz]

how would i know if it is a mismatched ecu? and im gonna go check the fluid.

[elnevio]

Are you aware of the gearbox having been changed?

[Davezj]

I am with nick on this one could be a fluid change time.
Gear box ecu rest and see what happens.

Post up the gear box model number and ecu number and w can tell you if it is matched correctly.
Have a look at the thread below a it has most of the info you need about the ger box matching the ecu.

http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthr...finding-thread!

[mattyz]

where do i find the codes? and as far as im aware no gearbox change, but before i bought it the guy did a ATM fluid change and i have had a mechanic say the fluid looks nice and new.

[mattyz]

i forgot to mention, the problem only really got bad when i left my lights on drained the batttery. would this cause the problem getting worse?

[Davezj]

it could do as this would reset the the auto box ecu.

you have to reset it then let idle for a while then take it out for a drive and stick it D and let the ecu relearn gear shift patterns and the likes this can take up to about 50-500 mile before it settles down completely.
the shift will be ok after about 50 miles but my old vr4 did not get really silky shift until i had done about 500 miles and that was 2nd to 3rd gears.

[mattyz]

ahhhh, so il check the fluid tomorrow, then il reset it by disconnecting the battery for 10 mins?? then reconnect it idle for a while then drive for 500 miles or so and hopefully this will sort it out. cheers for the help dave, much appreciated.

[Nick Mann]

Do you know what fluid was used? It must be mutsubishi sp3 compatible. Dexron 3 is sometimes used but it isn't right.

[elnevio]

Do you know what fluid was used? It must be mutsubishi sp3 compatible. Dexron 3 is sometimes used but it isn't right.

This would be my concern now too.

[Davezj]

yes, ensure you have SPIII compliant ATF in the auto. the only way to do this is get it verified bey the mechanic or previous owner. or drop the current ATF fluid and replace it withnew amsoil universal ATF.

[mattyz]

no idea what fluid is in there, its nice and red. il try the reset option first then i might aswell replace the fluid.

[Davezj]

if you have the wrong fluid on the auto box then the ecu reset will do nothing for you.

the ecu rest will make the gear changes worse at the start just after the reset, so don't panic about that after the first 5-10 miles of round town driving it should get much better, then slowly get bettter and better as the miles go on.

[Nick Mann]

The gearbox learns to shift better faster if you leave it in Drive, and don't drive like a hooligan.

[Dan.L]

Would Millers Millermatic ATF SPIII do the trick?

[Nick Mann]

Anything SPIII compliant should be fine. Amsoil is liked because it is fully synthetic AND has the ability to clean whilst being used. But if the current stuff is not SPIII compliant then anything that is will be a huge improvement!

[stu]

and don't drive like a hooligan.

Is there any other way ??

[Dan.L]

ok thanks for this I've just bought this motor so hoping this will sort it out. Matt said he did reset the ecu and it was shifting ok but was slowly coming back, only did it a couple of times on the test drive

[Nick Mann]

Nope - got a friendly telling off at the B&Q tradepoint today!

Just that the gearbox learns better if you resist until changes are settling down.