Thread: td5 auto trans woes

Torque converter not getting up to coupling speed.

This is pretty normal if it were a very steep hill from start off.

Solution is to put it into low range as this will lessen the load on the converter and allow it to couple more efficiently.

Failing that it may be a slipping sprag but that is normally on 1st not reverse.

It may also have been the trans fluid was too far forward and it couldnt pick it up but that normally is when the fluid is low.

I wouldnt be overly concerned about it unless it happens again.

By "full revs" as in revving something around 4,000 rpm or full revs as in foot to the floor as if it was straining?

Here we go..... 2threads.

Had you just started it? As in about to reverse up a driveway? If so, they take some time to get the ATF through to the torque converter at times. IF that was the case, dont rev it, just was a few seconds until it comes through and then drive it.

If it persists then check fluid levels and condition.
First thing to try is an oil and filter change in the box. At this time you can also look for friction material (Lots means the clutches are damaged/gone).

dont worry about what gear your in for the sprag clutch, given its internal to the TC and you dont have a reversable engine if forwards drive is not a problem then its not that. and dont worry about the "coupling speed" if you reach the normal coupling speed of the TD5 TC while in reverse your doing something like 15kph if your in high range.

follow George 130's advice trust me hes done enough on his auto to have a good knowlodge base. to recap what counts.. OIL must be the correct level and must be in good condition.

Low oil in a Auto is always a bad thing and the pickup for most autos is down towards the back of the pan its not hard to imagine that if the cooler is full and the drive is steep enough that an oil level on the low side will see you run out of oil pressure inside th box

if you pulled up over 3000 RPM and you have the standard Diesel TC on the box (you should have if all things are as per OEM spec) and standard fuel mapping then there is something wrong as youve exceeded the stall speed of the TC so either a clutch pack is slipping in the box or the TC is on the way out....

as mcrover suggested reverse in low range it lightens the load on the auto so it should be able to push you back up just about anything unless your heavily loaded..

If you've got the time and the inclination this link will take you to a 101 of automatics which will help you decipher what might have gone wrong.

best of luck with it and may it just be a low oil level or that you forgot to release the handbrake.

What do you reckon roughly is the maximum gradeability in high range R?

Its nothing dramatic like that. The D2 ZF's when left standing for a while leak down in the ATF. Its pretty common when they've been left overnight etc. Start the thing, let the oil pump through again and then select a gear and drive. If the ATF hasn't come through then it barely drives so just wait for a few seconds until it does.

Originally Posted by Slunnie

Its nothing dramatic like that. The D2 ZF's when left standing for a while leak down in the ATF. Its pretty common when they've been left overnight etc. Start the thing, let the oil pump through again and then select a gear and drive. If the ATF hasn't come through then it barely drives so just wait for a few seconds until it does.

D1's are the same.

Some times if cold and steep you may need to cycle the box through Drive and then Reverse, Im not sure on why it does it but mine seems to work after that,I could look into why but........I cant be stuffed