Thread: Transmission failsafe mode

It sounds like transmission overheating; that'll make it go to 3rd gear.
My 2003 did same one day in 40 degree with car on car trailer behind. 10 minutes cool down and away again. I've since fitted another trans fluid cooler into the system.
A lot of transmission heat comes from the torque converter if it isn't locked up.
Loss of drive-- low fluid pressure/ heat and possibly low fluid level. OR tc or way out. OR time for a tranny overhaul

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but it sounds like your auto's on the way out. Probably time for a rebuild of Trans & torque converter .

Welcome to the forum guys, I just wish it was on better terms. I agree with the above from 33chinacars, sounds like the trannie is on its last legs . Unfortunately a very common issue with these transmissions when they get on a bit - as you have mentioned, it had nothing done to it before you got it. Chipping the engine won't have helped the cause - they are only just rated to take the torque from the standard tune. Running the engine at 2250 to 2500RPM puts it almost in the max torque range - which is perfect for towing, but not perfect for a transmission on the way out.

If you go down the full rebuild path, I would strongly recommend you send the trannie to Sydney - Rhys from Furious performance - is about the best in the business with these units (and is a member on here) and people from all over the country send their units to him. In the grand scheme of the overall costs of a rebuild, the transport is a very small component.

Email him at - rhys.b@furiousperformance.com.au or call him on (02) 9453 3222. He is a great guy to chat to and will know what is what.

I would love to say that I think it's something simple, but in this case, I doubt that - be prepared to dig deep for this - if you're paying to have someone remove and install the trannie as well as the cost of the rebuild and new trannie cooler and lines (a must) you may not get any change from $7K.

Been there, done that (doing exactly what you were doing) - as have many here. If you love everything else about the Rangie (and we all do ) grit your teeth, get it done properly and you'll have many years trouble free motoring again.

Originally Posted by bacicat

Welcome to the forum guys, I just wish it was on better terms. I agree with the above from 33chinacars, sounds like the trannie is on its last legs . Unfortunately a very common issue with these transmissions when they get on a bit - as you have mentioned, it had nothing done to it before you got it. Chipping the engine won't have helped the cause - they are only just rated to take the torque from the standard tune. Running the engine at 2250 to 2500RPM puts it almost in the max torque range - which is perfect for towing, but not perfect for a transmission on the way out.

If you go down the full rebuild path, I would strongly recommend you send the trannie to Sydney - Rhys from Furious performance - is about the best in the business with these units (and is a member on here) and people from all over the country send their units to him. In the grand scheme of the overall costs of a rebuild, the transport is a very small component.

Email him at - rhys.b@furiousperformance.com.au or call him on (02) 9453 3222. He is a great guy to chat to and will know what is what.

I would love to say that I think it's something simple, but in this case, I doubt that - be prepared to dig deep for this - if you're paying to have someone remove and install the trannie as well as the cost of the rebuild and new trannie cooler and lines (a must) you may not get any change from $7K.

Been there, done that (doing exactly what you were doing) - as have many here. If you love everything else about the Rangie (and we all do ) grit your teeth, get it done properly and you'll have many years trouble free motoring again.

Rhys is the man, i had my Td6 box serviced a couple of weeks back at his shop. There are now upgraded torque converters, carbon clutches and harder valve bodies available to build a better , stronger 5L40e . I wouldnt trust any old auto shop especially in Darwin where things are a little Lacksadazial. Pull it out & send it down is how i would go.

Hi All!
Thank you for your responses and related contacts. The Ra Ra and trailer got to Darwin late last night. I'm about to jump on a plane back to Sydney for a week so they will stay in the trucking yard till I get back. I'll touch base with your. contacts while I'm there and let you know what the tranny oil looks like in ten days!
Who'd have though giving a 13yr old prestige vehicle a performance upgrade then asking it to move 5 tonne to Darwin would cause so much trouble, ha.

Sometimes I wish I didn't inherit this gene from my dad. I actually got a stronger one than he did!
Thanks again, I'll keep you posted.

Hello all,

The RA RA lives again! It got there by the below process.

We drained the transmission fluid, smelt burnt and was black.
We removed the transmission/ transfer case. Removed transfer case off the back when it was out from underneath the car.
After realising it was essentially a commadore transmission I was a bit more at ease with getting it fixed locally (Darwin). Dropped it off to Mick Taylor Automatics and was told it would be 2 weeks and worst case scenario of 5K.
6 weeks later got a call it was told it would be $7700 and he would have to order parts......
We thanked him for his efforts and picked the tranny up that day with no money exchanging hands....................
It got put back in a crate I made and was on the back of a truck to Sydney that week.
Was delivered to Wyong Automatics (our family has been going to these guys since owning my first car - 88 F250 with a C6 back in the late 90's).
Few weeks later we gave them $4000 and it was in its crate again and on its way back up here.
I've just driven it out of the shed to wash it this afternoon. Very happy considering I've only ever done oil changes before.
Cheers Graham and Nicki.
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I didn't have a choice, I was born this way - thanks Dad!

1991 Perentie 6x6 - expedition vehicle
2002 L322 TD6
2003 TD5 Disco (gone)
In the market for a Perentie 6x6 crew cab (rug rats on the way)

Did you replace the transmission heat exchanger (often called cooler) as well ?
A partially blocked unit could have been the trigger for fluid to overheat.

Hope you also replaced torque convertor & oil cooler . Any metal particles with soon destroy you new trans