Yet another "PCM Update" thread...

[defender_i_hardly_know_er]

Took my defender (2012 90) in for a service, asked about the crappy gear changes and asked for the software upgrade.

Apparently I'm already up to date in the software world and the way my car behaves is by design....

This is my driving experience:

In 1st and wanting to change to 2nd. I put the clutch in - wait for it to either go "fffft ffft - > drops revs -> change gear" or sometimes it doesn't do the "fffft ffttt" revvy bit and i can just wait the couple of seconds and change gear.


2nd to 3rd is the same process, clutch in, wait for revs to drop and slot it in. 3rd-4th-5th-6th is fine, behaves like a real car.

Is what I'm describing "normal" behaviour because if it is I'm fed up with it.

[jx2mad]

Not having experienced this I don't really know other than perhaps you should change more quickly before the revs build up to a point where they have to drop before you can change. Hope you sort it out. Jim

[dullbird]

why dnt you see if you can get a drive in someone elses car?

[wally]

The first time I drove my 2012 130 I hated it. I had the PCM upgrade and it's a lot better. I'm pretty happy with it now but it took a lot of driving to get used to it. I find that accelerating up through the gears is fine if that's all you're doing. But manouvering about at low speeds can be more awkward. I would like the gear changes to be more forgiving and the power delivery to be smoother, more like a Tdi.

[Dorian]

This is pretty normal, and the best explanation I've heard is that it is done to meet EU particulate emission standards, so sometimes the ECU revs the motor to stop this and sometime it doesn't rev, although that may just be another story. Just change normally and don't wait for the revs to drop, they drop off as you are engaging the clutch. It's a real pain thought when you are going down hill and want the engine to take you down the grade, the first few seconds are a bit hairy.

[voltron]

Definately normal, I have a 2012 110

I just find once I have clutched in, I have to get the stick through the gate as quickly and smoothly as possible without forcing it. I can then let the clutch off and result in a smooth gear change at the rev hold point.

Recently I had a day where I had lost the plot and couldn't change any gear right then the next day I was perfect. I put it down to trying to being too careful and too slow, and every gear change ends in a big clunk.

If you are pottering around and stay below the rev hold point then I can never nail a good change.

Hope that wasn't too confusing.

[defender_i_hardly_know_er]

Thanks guys for the tips - I've been practising with lower rev gear changes trying to find the sweet spot between a good change and now having the engine bog down.

[LoveB]

shift 1st to second in 2000rpm or just under. same as 2nd to 3rd.

3rd onwards you can generally go higher.

always works for me. i've done the PCM update, even disabled the auto rev thingy. but found without the rev thingy it wouldnt drive smoothly when going slow.