EB 6cyl Auto trans query ?

lignum · 03-01-2006, 12:43 PM

Hi all , I recently bought a cheapish ($800) 92 EB .
It runs fine on lpg , not so great on petrol , however I have trans probs which , unfortunately , didn't show up when test driving it (only about 15mins in a quiet area with 40 to 60kmh speed limits )

: .
Anyhow , before the trans gets hot it's as smooth as anything on all changes , up or down and seems to shift at the right speeds .
As it gets warmed up it starts to get "clunky" on the gear changes from 1st to second and somewhat on 3rd to 4th .
It also starts to make a long shift from 2nd to 3rd quite often and seems to slip on that change at times .
Now I know very little about these thing but I'm assuming the trans is dying . However my bro said it's possibly contaminated or incorrect fluid in the trans causing it .
Can someone in the know tell me if it's worth getting the trans flushed and or serviced , or would the money be better spent put towards having a replacement trans fitted . Being on a pension I don't really have the doe to throw at a flush if it's probably a waste of time .

thanks for any headsup , Bazz.

gthofan · 03-01-2006, 03:18 PM

if your transmission is low on oil, it will make the car a bit clunky through the gears, sometimes not even allowing u to select the gear, ie. u have selected Reverse, but there is no drive!!!! so first check the oil level, or replace it. hope it has helped a bit.

BABOSS · 03-01-2006, 03:46 PM

I had the same problem last month, it ended up being a solinoid inside the transy and was replaced.

lignum · 03-01-2006, 04:26 PM

gthofan:
I checked the trans fluid level straight away but it was spot on . I added a small bottle of Nulon auto trans conditioner which didn't help .

FlasherEF:
same symptoms hey , was that including smooth operation when trans is cold ?
Sounds promising , did you fix it yourself , did a mate do it or a shop ? Just wondering on approximate cost if that does turn out to be the problem .
Do you remember if the solenoid had a particular name ?

thanks guys , Bazz.

Aaron_EF8 · 03-01-2006, 04:55 PM

I had the same problem about 6 months ago, turned out to be the B1 band, which is a $1000 replacement.

Does the trans do the same things when you manually slect gears?

The solenoid that mainly dies is the S5, which is around $380 from Ford, or you can fit either an AU S5 solenoid (which has adjustable line pressure) or a TH700 Corvette/HSV Solenoid, which will fit straight in. Both are around $250. Then you need to add labour onto this, which was about $150 for mine, including a service.

What area are you in lignum? If its any sort of serious problem, a replacement trans will more than likely be a cheaper option than repairing it.

lignum · 03-01-2006, 05:11 PM

cheers Aaron , I'm actually in Adelaide too .
Can an auto trans shop tell if it's the bands or solenoid without opening it up and charging me a fortune or is that the only way to find out .
The problem is that because I know so little about auto trans problems , apart from the obvious (they suck) I can't tell whether the auto repairers are telling b/s or not
when we talk .

lignum · 03-01-2006, 05:23 PM

Just tried it changing manually and it still does it in reply to Aarons' question .

Aaron_EF8 · 03-01-2006, 05:41 PM

I took mine to a place called AutoTrans, and they were really helpful, they did an ECU test to see what was wrong for free, and gave me a few options on what I can do (I took the cheapest way :P ). They also talked me through replacing the torque convertor over the phone for nothing too.

Any trans shop that does regular work to these boxes will have the tool to do an ECU check, which can tell whats wrong without undoing a single nut or bolt.

AutoTrans - 8 Elm St, Hampstead Gdns. Ph 8369 0445

Good luck with it

lignum · 03-01-2006, 06:02 PM

Great stuff Aaron , thanks very much .
It's quite relieving to know they can diagnose it without opening it up .
I obviously don't wan't to spend too much on this trans if I have to get a replacement for it .
I think I'll call Autotrans tomorrow and see what they say .
There is a couple of closer places but I've had family members warn me off them as "shady" !

thanks again Bazz

fatxagt · 03-01-2006, 06:41 PM

My Cheapie NA 400,000ks was like yours, great when cold, clucky and slipy when warm. I took it to Adelaide Autos on Marion Rd, Netly. Service and a Treatment fixed it up pretty good. Cost was $150 and Keeping it in Power Mode seems to help too.

naughtyfalcon · 03-01-2006, 07:45 PM

sounds like the s5 solanoid,,thats exactly what mine did,,an auto expert tld me it was going to die instantly,,it did another 2500 k's before i got it fixed,,

lignum · 03-01-2006, 08:54 PM

fair enough , I'll post back when I've had it looked at !

cheers

naughtyfalcon · 03-01-2006, 08:56 PM

kewl,,i'd like to know what it turns out to be..

lignum · 04-01-2006, 10:40 AM

Well Autotrans is closed until Monday so I went to see B&L Automatics closer to home .
The guy says it's almost always the S5 solenoid in these 4spd transmissions , especially if it works smooth when cold , quoted me $375 including a service .
He also said the ECU test doesn't always show whether the solenoid is naffed .
I've booked it in for Friday morning so I'll find out then .
I hope this fixes it as I can get a trans supplied and fitted for $700 down at Lonsdale !

I'll get back when it's done !

lignum · 06-01-2006, 07:15 PM

Between the service and the replacement S5 solenoid the trans came up fine .
Thanks to all of you for helping me out , much appreciated !

Barry.