D3 auto hunting gears randomly

[Bulletman]

Gday All,
So my D3 195k on clock , on its 4th gearbox oil fill with filter changed as well, has about 7000ks on this oil which is penrite BMV ?. Noticed it on a very undulating road going down hill with 3t van on the back it would change gears very rapidly causing tacho to rise/fall about 300 rpm. Speed was about 60ish and at first it put it down to the weight of the van pitching on the back. Drove about 400ks that day and never seen it do it that bad again but a couple of times on similar road condition it moved about 150-200 rpm @80-85km/h.
Just been for a drive tonight coming back from cable beach and it did it to me with no trailer and I could definitely feel it changing gears, I assume between 2 gears or 1 and o/d maybe. I have a hawkeye which I plugged in and no gearbox faults are logged. I did have a engine fault, something to do with fuel pressure out of range , but I never had any issues with faults since we left Darwin so it possibly could have been old fault.
We drove thru alot of water at el questro so I'm wondering if water has got in somewhere, as when I was leaving I got the dreaded slow to raise suspension fault, so did drive thru several crossing at normal height.
We are in broome so chances of getting anything here is minimal as it's not a toyota so plan to continue south . Was thinking of seeing if I can get a couple drums of bmv to have incase , but no gearbox temp faults or similar make me think it's more of a water ingress issue not gearbox oil.
Suggestions or ideas please.
Cheers Bulletman

[Bulletman]

It seems from my reading on the uk site my issue is what is referred to as the shudder.
Seems Dr Tranny is a additive that has worked but doesnt look available from any of the normal parts sellers. Repco, supercheap etc.
Bulletman

[Eric SDV6SE]

Have you checked you've got the right fill level? Sounds like you may need a valve body rebuild too. If solenoids are dirty, they don't provide enough line pressure to hold the gear / clutch pack

[River]

Repco and others should have this
Lubegard Instant Shudder Fix 60ml - 19610


SKU: A9417139

[Bulletman]

So a check this morning sees the oil level low, maybe added 500mls, not convinced that small amount of oil will be my issue but I found something. I fitted a new radiator before leaving darwin so possibly didn't check it correctly but not sure why it would have been low, definitely no leaks that I can see.
Will pick up some of the suggested shudder fix and some extra oil and see how we go.
Bulletman

[PerthDisco]

Check tranny cooler hoses on side of radiator near coolant bottle are not leaking if the radiator was changed and also the old radiator would have a quantity of transmission oil in it when removed.

[Bulletman]

Check tranny cooler hoses on side of radiator near coolant bottle are not leaking if the radiator was changed and also the old radiator would have a quantity of transmission oil in it when removed.

Yep I checked those hoses plus every other hose for about the first 5 days after I changed it, also had a look again today seems all dry.
Will keep an eye on it.
Atleast i found something, might actually get some sleep tonight
Bulletman

[Dagilmo]

It seems from my reading on the uk site my issue is what is referred to as the shudder.
Seems Dr Tranny is a additive that has worked but doesnt look available from any of the normal parts sellers. Repco, supercheap etc.
Bulletman

I have some in the shed. I'd be happy to pop in post to you if you want.

[Bulletman]

I have some in the shed. I'd be happy to pop in post to you if you want.

Thanks kindly for your offer, I purchased some oil and some shudder fix today at repco in broome so see how it goes tomorrow when we hook up and head off.
Fun times ahead. Thanks again for the offer.
Cheers Bulletman

[Ilike2disco]

Is this transmission judder the lock up feature of the torque converter locking and unlocking in response to changing loads?

I’ll have to read more I think to educate myself better on this.