01 Freelander Td4 auto trans shifting problems

[bebes2k]

I recently bought a 2001 Freelander Td4 with an auto transmission that appears to have problems shifting from 2 to 3 both in D and by manually shifting with the +/- gear shift.

Any thoughts on what could cause the issue? Is it a common issue with these transmissions?

Reviewing the maintenance history is appears as though a few years ago the transmission also had slipping problems. At the time the trans was inspected and the oil was replaced which apparently fixed the problem.

Cheers, Bill.

[woko]

what is it doing? is it flaring or harsh change

[bebes2k]

Sorry for the lack of detail but the car shifts fine from 1 to 2 then stumbles shifting from 2 to 3. During this time with my foot on the accelerator the rpms just surge and the transmission struggles to shift into 3rd.

I'm unsure if it does this while the oil is hot or just when it's cold. I'm hesitant to drive the car with the problem as I don't want to make it worse.

Reading about very similar problems on this and other forums it appears as though there may be an issue with one or more of the solenoids. I'll see if there are any diagnostic codes stored in the transmission computer.

Cheers, Bill.

[woko]

It will be either a solenoid problem or a sticking spool in the valve body.

[bebes2k]

Thanks for the advice, I understand that solenoids can be replaced relatively easily, but I'm not sure about the spool in the valve body? Is this something that can be repaired or does it require the valve body to be replaced?

Cheers, Bill.

[woko]

They can be repaired but its up to the amount of damage done to the valve body.

[bebes2k]

The auto trans shop diagnosed the fault as a cracked clutch drum. They mentioned that the box would have to be fully rebuilt at a cost of ~$5k. They came to this diagnosis after driving the car, smelling the 'burnt' oil and reading the 'slipping' codes from the computer.

I am now looking at my other options instead of a full rebuild. Does anyone know of a good supplier/wrecker that may have a used transmission?

Cheers, Bill.

[woko]

2nd hand ones are like hens teeth, but you could try triumph rover spares . A exchange one can be between $3500 to $8000 plus fitting. My brothers broke a clutch drum and he had it repaired for $1600. The clutch drum was out of a Mazda MPV as the use the same internals for the gearbox. The box is a Jatco 506E and is used in a lot of manufactures. The only difference between car manufactures using this box is the casings are different.

[pugwash]

be real carefull who you get to change the oil or read up on it ,we had a td4 with no reverse as someone had released a plug at the back of the trans that looked like a level plug ,it actualy locates the reverse band ,so the trans had to come completely apart to re assemble it, fortunatly that was all that was wrong in there ,so it wasnt too expensive PUGS