D3. Transmission fault. Limited gears available.

[Markus1]

I got an engine light today upon starting up after the D3 was parked up for an hour. The warning said 'transmission fault limited gears available'. Or something to that effect. Upon moving there was a slight scraping noise which disappeared nearly immediately. After restarting the error message is gone but engine light remains. Car drives normally. I took the liberty of clearing the engine light so I can monitor if it comes up again. So far nothing.

Any ideas?

Cheers
Mark

[Markus1]

Forgot to mention. On Saturday the car did a bunch of water crossings. But it drove fine during that time and on Sunday. Didn't drive it yesterday. I doubt that has anything to do with it. And I just had a clock spring replaced today under dealer warranty. Though that appears to be working just fine.

Maybe just a random error?

[Markus1]

Oops. Forgot to mention the engine light error code was U041 or U0041. One or the other.

I just assume this code and engine light was related to the so called '''transmission fault''' error message since it happened simultaneously.

When I cleared that code the engine light disappeared.

What the heck is this code?

[Ean Austral]

As I found out myself, the transmission fault could be a flow on from the engine fault and most likely is . Could be possible you got moisture in 1 of your connectors.

I guess if they continue to appear then you may have to do some more investigating. Be helpful to record the fault code if it happens again


Cheers Ean

[Eric SDV6SE]

Google is your friend.

Check OBDII diagnostics. Trouble code definition for code U0041. Causes of error U0041 (https://obdii.pro/en/code/U0041)

Tells me "vehicle com bus B high"

Its a generic obd2 code. You'd have to log the error code from the transmission to know what caused the original code.

Transmission codes are related to the valve body and mechatronic unit, plus the transfer case. If you've gotten water up into the Transfer case control unit, (mounted high up on top of the TC) it could be a short or loose wire there.

Just my 2c worth

[Markus1]

Thanks guys. I'll keep an eye on it. Hopefully it's nothing costly.

Unfortunately I only have a eBay $7 dollar code reader so that's why I can only read that generic code and no deeper. May have to fix that.

Funny how the transmission performed flawlessly grinding up steep rubbly hills on the weekend but throws errors in my driveway??? Ha.

[DiscoJeffster]

You know this, but get a dedicated LR reader such as the IID. Worth its weight in gold both to avoid expensive servicing and to get you out of trouble in the outback etc.

[Markus1]

Hi DJ. Yeah, I'm definitely going to do that once a few more dollars roll around. Is the 'iidtool bt' is sufficient?

Thanks. M

[DiscoJeffster]

Hi DJ. Yeah, I'm definitely going to do that once a few more dollars roll around. Is the 'iidtool bt' is sufficient?

Thanks. M

Imo the best.

[ChookD2]

Digging up old thread here but this just happened to me.

Car had not moved for 24hrs. On start up there was a noise like trying to start an engine that is already going, you know the noise, a little griding noise. Engine started but dash showed error msg as above "Transmission fault limited gears available" and engine light came on.

I turned engine off and hesitatingly restarted, no grinding noise, started ok, no fault msg on dash. Tried the gears and moved car a few feet back and forward in driveway, moved without any noise or hesitation. Engine light remains on.

Is the car safe to drive? Any ideas what this noise might have been?

The transmission fluid was changed with filter and steel pan installed on 4 Feb 2020 at 205k km by MR, a week after I bought it, now at 209k km. Previous owner stated that the transmission had been serviced but I had it done for my peace of mind.

I have Nanocom but not yet enabled for the D3. I have another generic code reader that I will try in daylight tomorrow and see if I can get a code.

Any ideas/suggestions/insight/musings greatly appreciated.

[rar110]

Was it in drive when grinding noice started?

[ChookD2]

Was it in drive when grinding noice started?

No. Was in park as normal. Won't start in Drive. Noise happened when I turned the key.

Can't find my code reader.

[NavyDiver]

Forgot to mention. On Saturday the car did a bunch of water crossings. But it drove fine during that time and on Sunday. Didn't drive it yesterday. I doubt that has anything to do with it. And I just had a clock spring replaced today under dealer warranty. Though that appears to be working just fine.

Maybe just a random error?
My prior D3 did a DISCO plus after one almost shallow water crossing. It had been through a lot more with no issues. All its party lights tricks and other faults including transmission faults went after a few days drying out. I did spray a can or two of silicone over every wire and connection I could get to. That reminds me to do that to my replacement D3 ASAP.

[RANDLOVER]

Perhaps the starter motor stayed engaged, although I'm not sure how the car would notice this? Although I think one of the faults the transmission looks for, is input vs output shaft speed mismatch, which it wouldn't see, even if the starter motor was placing a drag on the flywheel.

[ChookD2]

Borrowed the neighbours reader when he got home from work. Red light indicated an error but couldn't show a code. Started fine today, neighbour's gizmo cleared the engine light, so drove around block to servo and filled fuel then drove home.

Gear changes seem fine started normal, no lights or funky error messages.

It was the noise that worried me. It was the instant I turned the key so could have been starter motor but don't know why it would have half engaged/slipped or whatever may have happened, it seemed quite loud at the time. And NFI why it would throw up a transmission fault if it was the starter.

Anyway, I'll keep an eye/ear on it. Best I get my Nanocom set up for the D3.

[theelms66]

Check your neighbors haven't lost a cat . [emoji41]