I changed the transmission fluid in our GT a little while back. I used the fully synthetic penrite fluid (the genuine SP3 could NOT be purchased locally - believe me I tried). I dropped the transmission sump oil, replaced that, and then flushed about another 7 litres via the transmission cooling lines to clear the torque converter. Fluid cleaned p nicely. The transmission was flaring between 2nd and 3rd when cold and continues to do this. Anyone have any ideas?

Steve

Did you disconnect the battery and do the relearn?

I did put a new battery in recently but I think before the flush. Will try that again.

The relearn, is it just disconnect the battery for a minute or so? I feel like doing that for my transmission.

There is a bit more to it.
I think it's in the Tutorial section

Tried a search, seem to be coming up blank.

Sounds like a transmission rebuild is needed.
No amount of changing fluid is going to fix it.

http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86194

Not applicable to 380s.

Disconnecting battery does not erase transmission memory. Kept in EPROM apparently

Only way to reprogram is with mutt tool at dealer.

So we can't easily get it to reset?

Since posting the thread, the transmission hasn't played up.! Will see how it pans out. The poor old thing hadn't been washed so I've washed it, clay bared it and waxed. Maybe it wants to behave now I've given it some attention?

It's now been quite a few months and the transmission is flaring a bit between 2nd and 3rd but only when cold (first 4-5 minutes of driving). Is it possible to reset the transmission using one of the handheld OBD scanner, rather then having to go to Mitsubishi (only dealer in the area is dodgy)? The fluid level is definitely fine and nice and clean.

Steve

Have you tried disconnecting the battery for a few minutes
I was under the impression it reset the ECU. Worth a try for the first fix

What fluid was used when last changed, was it flushed or just dump and refill

Also the code reset a dealer does will do nothing, you really want to do a diagnostic read out, highly doubt you will come back with any codes at all but worth a try

Also, when you check the fluid level, I assume car is on level ground, trans is at full operating temp and with engine running in either N or P

Was a flush Mal. Used 12l and only about 5000km ago. Fluid Penrite multivehicle full synthetic. Can't buy SP3 here anywhere. Car has 75000 km.

Fluid level spot on. Checked hot on level ground as per manual.

Was a flush Mal. Used 12l and only about 5000km ago. Fluid Penrite multivehicle full synthetic. Can't buy SP3 here anywhere. Car has 75000 km.

Fluid level spot on. Checked hot on level ground as per manual.

clutch packs are worn, you need a rebuild or a transmission swap.

I always love it when people have x ray vision.

There can be so many reasons you are having issues, 75k old 380 the chances of auto issues are rare. The Penrite should be fine in that transmission however I would prefer to use a SPIII specific fluid as I have found with both 380's and Magna 5sp Auto's that the multi vehicle fluids do not tend to work as well as a specific SPIII. Know it is hard with your location etc but perhaps if you are somewhere where you can get some better suited fluid give that a try.

I always love it when people have x ray vision.

There can be so many reasons you are having issues, 75k old 380 the chances of auto issues are rare. The Penrite should be fine in that transmission however I would prefer to use a SPIII specific fluid as I have found with both 380's and Magna 5sp Auto's that the multi vehicle fluids do not tend to work as well as a specific SPIII. Know it is hard with your location etc but perhaps if you are somewhere where you can get some better suited fluid give that a try.

Yeah, it's a big call calling for a rebuild straight up. The F4A51, I've had 4 boxes in my car all bar one had a 2-3 shift flare on the first 2-3 shift after the car has sat for a while, so 3 of those were recoed and I would assume they don't reuse clutch packs. The current box does it still but only a tiny amount.

I know it maybe irrelevant comparing to the F5A but that's my experience with my TW.

I always thought both BP and CASTROL both produce SPIII specific fliud, maybe no more, it's been a while since I've looked, but I find it's generally cheaper getting the Mitsubishi label at the dealer. Surely it could be couriered.

Thanks for the replies. I also think at 75k major issues are unlikely as the 380 boxes are reputed to be pretty tough. I checked the level again today and was a tiny bit down. I added 400ml of fluid (all that was left) and no flare when cold but I had a trailer on the back. About 500kg so this might have affected it. Maybe the fluid was just down a bit?

Will check tomorrow on the way to work with fluid cold. Thing is box is very smooth other then the flare when cold.

As for sp3 fluid, getting it couriered might be the way. As I've said once before, the local Mitsubishi dealer uses Valvoline Maxlife in their Mitsubishi services........

they aren't the only one. local one in mossvale recommends it over the factory stuff

clutch packs are worn, you need a rebuild or a transmission swap.

lol the admin guy over on 380db.com was always on about the gearbox is stuffed or needs a rebuild (was forced to seek advice over there while I waited for my account here to be approved. def worth it with all seriously knowledgeable people here especially mal). everything he said that pointed to a gearbox failure being imminent when I all I had was some very bad engine mounts

Like the only auto transmission specialist in town who claimed my transmission was stuffed when I had a dodgy front wheel bearing. Said the 380 transmissions are very unreliable!

Yeah is funny how all 380 issues relate back to an auto box. Even funnier how with approx 80 of these cars I have wrecked to date I have sold 2 transmissions in total.......

I have driven more 380's than some have had hot meals, some are a little flary some are not. Same thing with the TJ to TW 5sp Auto's as well, some are great some when you go into gear you could almost step out of the car and have a coffee before they find drive.

Can the 380 gearbox be checked for line pressure?

With a bit of practice, you can anticipate when the gearbox is about to change on a shift that normally flares. If you back off the throttle a bit you can avoid the flare and also speed up the shift a bit.

(Not that I've ever owned a Mitsu auto with this problem.)

Yeah is funny how all 380 issues relate back to an auto box. Even funnier how with approx 80 of these cars I have wrecked to date I have sold 2 transmissions in total.......

I have driven more 380's than some have had hot meals, some are a little flary some are not. Same thing with the TJ to TW 5sp Auto's as well, some are great some when you go into gear you could almost step out of the car and have a coffee before they find drive.

it'd be a good time to ask ya but mine was throwing a error auto and 4th gear incorrect ratio. done a flush and so far the error auto has cleared but not 4th gear. what do you reckon is up with it?

it'd be a good time to ask ya but mine was throwing a error auto and 4th gear incorrect ratio. done a flush and so far the error auto has cleared but not 4th gear. what do you reckon is up with it?

I thought you just said that the engine mounts fixed your problem???

Yeah is funny how all 380 issues relate back to an auto box. Even funnier how with approx 80 of these cars I have wrecked to date I have sold 2 transmissions in total.......




Eddy's wreckers in SA has sold dozens to the cabbies, they always burn the clutch packs in 4th and rough shift into 3rd when the solenoids are stuffed.

Guess you haven't seen as many as him eh?

I thought you just said that the engine mounts fixed your problem???

I didn't say anything like that. you wanna be a troll go troll somewhere else. I had a severe shudder while driving. was one completely stuffed mount and one half stuffed mount. the gearbox doesn't flair or act up at all. other than the fault codes you wouldn't even know anything was up. so what have you got to say about that

Eddy's wreckers in SA has sold dozens to the cabbies, they always burn the clutch packs in 4th and rough shift into 3rd when the solenoids are stuffed.

Guess you haven't seen as many as him eh?

Clearly you are not capable of reading posts and you, like someone else who used to infest these forums can not clearly not accept that your "diagnosis" is a load of trash

Yes, Ian has sold tonnes of these to cabbies. The Op IS NOT A CABBIE just for starters, doubt he treats his car like a cabbie does and even more doubt that he neglects the servicing like a cabbie does. Have a chat to Ian after all you claim you are in SA. Ian will tell you about not only the auto's but also about the engines he sold to the cab industry and Ian will also tell you it was because they would drive the car into the ground without serving the car until something broke. You can not compare a bloody cab to a 75k old car which has been cared for and serviced FFS

Out of all the 380's I have wrecked to date and there have been a few, about 10 were not able to be made derivable, ALL the rest had clean shifting transmissions and yes I do drive 95% of the cars I purchase to dismantle so I can cold and hot test motors and transmissions.

Zilo, or who ever you are, as Danny stated, if you want to troll go to another forum and troll there, dont bother with your attitude here bud or your stay will be greatly reduced.....


I didn't say anything like that. you wanna be a troll go troll somewhere else. I had a severe shudder while driving. was one completely stuffed mount and one half stuffed mount. the gearbox doesn't flair or act up at all. other than the fault codes you wouldn't even know anything was up. so what have you got to say about that

Danny, dont worry about this clown, we have had people here in the past just like him, one person hated AMC so much when he was banned he kept on making new accounts while he at the same time on pretty much every other forum (well all 3 of them) bagged out AMC and its members and did the same to all 4 of his mates as well. These people come and go, people like yourself who are willing and able to have a mature discussion are the ones who will stay around AMC and get the benefit of this community. :)

Well after adding this little extra fluid, the flare seems to have all but gone. Can just detect it on the very first shift from 2nd to 3rd when cold. I'm happy with that. If it comes back, I'll find some genuine SP3 and do another flush. As Mal said, at 75k the problem is likely to be something minor as I've had the car from 30000km and it's been very well looked after. It's not like a 380 taxi with 500 000 km on the transmission.

On might expect issues with an early E services Falcon at 75k, but not the 380. I remember my brother in law had an EA from new (company car). 3 or 4 transmissions in 250k. Lack of servicing and the fragile nature of these didn't help. That doesn't include several power steering rebuilds and a new engine due to sludging. The company had hard times financially and didn't service it. These cars were an abomination......glad the 380 is better built (as is the FG Falcon for that matter)!

On another note, my 380 missed the 3rd hail storm in town over the last month of so. It seems to be always parked on the side of town that misses out on the hail. Lucky so far - touch wood.........

I've been lol'ing hard at this since I worked out who sent it. it took me awhile as well haha

from 380db.com.au admin
----------------
Sorry,

*

Your username has been deleted so the password reset doesn’t work.

Other members have asked you be removed due to nasty comments at another forum.

Pity… we were trying to help you.

*

cya
------------

what a petty little man. I didn't notice any nasty comments here at all at about them. oh well either zilo is a banned member (now 380db admin) or admins little butt boy trying to cause trouble. I reckon its more the former given I noticed an enormous similarity with their typing styles. lol n if zilo thought he was being some awesome troll he's gotta lift his game. he was more of just an annoyance more than anything. he should head over to JDM style tuning on Facebook to see what real trolls are like

I've been lol'ing hard at this since I worked out who sent it. it took me awhile as well haha

from 380db.com.au admin
----------------
Sorry,

*

Your username has been deleted so the password reset doesn’t work.

Other members have asked you be removed due to nasty comments at another forum.

Pity… we were trying to help you.

*

cya
------------

what a petty little man. I didn't notice any nasty comments here at all at about them. oh well either zilo is a banned member (now 380db admin) or admins little butt boy trying to cause trouble. I reckon its more the former given I noticed an enormous similarity with their typing styles. lol n if zilo thought he was being some awesome troll he's gotta lift his game. he was more of just an annoyance more than anything. he should head over to JDM style tuning on Facebook to see what real trolls are like

Typical, sad but funny

You see "all the other members" are actually the split personality of the same person, I know of at least 6 different usernames used by the "admin" of the forum you mention which is nothing but a joke, he abises people here via PM, gets banned for legitimate reasons, scoffs AMC on every other media he is on but keeps in registering new usernames.

Difference with AMC is people may disagree but they move on, shake hands and forget about it. Seems that "admin" spends more time arguing with the multiple personalities in his head and forgets when he is actually arguing with a real person. I think there is medication to control that, wonder if any of these personalities knows about it.

yeah he should just move on. about the only contact I'm gonna have further with him is officially notifying him that my personal photos of my car I posted be removed. funny how he's deleted my profile twice. first time for no reason and now but yet out of all my posts the photos of my car are still there.

Typical, sad but funny

Difference with AMC is people may disagree but they move on, shake hands and forget about it. Seems that "admin" spends more time arguing with the multiple personalities in his head and forgets when he is actually arguing with a real person. I think there is medication to control that, wonder if any of these personalities knows about it.

Thats funny Mal!!
I totally agree. I haven't been on this site for long but the incredible knowledge of the guys here such as yourself and others has been really helpful to people like me who are not technically minded. I am here because I trust that my enquiries, issues and worries won't be met with sarcasm or derision but will be treated with respect by feloow 380 Owners who have either experience the same issues or understand what the problem is and are willing to help fix it. As I have said in a previous post, we take great pride in our vehicles. Many of us have spent thousands of hard earned $ making them run better and look great. We don't need idiots like Zilo (who appears to be suffering from a bad case of foot in mouth disease), spoling the good name and atmosphere on this site. These people whould stick to trolling with the other brainless kiddies on facebook and leave us alone!
As you say we may disagree but it is done respectfully and we move on with no animosity.

Yeah, we don't need the prevailing facebook attitude of "Look at me, I'm so Kool, worship me, peasants" on this forum.
Cars don't give a sh#t about point scoring. lol

Now, back on topic. Flaring in 380 autos, if I remember correctly. lol

haha yeah any idea with mine. had a error auto and 4th gear incorrect ratio fault codes. done a flush and the error auto is gone but not the other. also have the smell of hot tranny oil when driving. could be me spilling a bit or flushing out the old oil showed up a weak seal

Well the transmission is pretty well running as per factory spec now (after adding that little bit of extra fluid). No flare to speak of so all is well that ends well.

Shall we close the thread?

Well the transmission is pretty well running as per factory spec now (after adding that little bit of extra fluid). No flare to speak of so all is well that ends well.

Shall we close the thread?

why would you ask to close the thread after I've asked a question?

Glad the fluid level sorted the issue, often is the case as when cold the fluid is has not expanded as it does when hot and auto fluid does expand a lot.

Danny, not ditching you from this thread mate but being a 4sp Magna issue I would recommend you start a thread in the Magna section as you will get many more looking at the topic there. I would need to know both codes to give suggestions but to me sounds like it is slipping as the input shaft sensor and output shaft sensor give the TCU the speeds, the TCU then calculates if everything is running correctly based on engine revs and speed and if there is a varience too far out of values then it will bring up the error and go into limp mode. Also the hot smell could be a sign of something not working in the trans or slipping as slipping will cause heat

Glad the fluid level sorted the issue, often is the case as when cold the fluid is has not expanded as it does when hot and auto fluid does expand a lot.

Danny, not ditching you from this thread mate but being a 4sp Magna issue I would recommend you start a thread in the Magna section as you will get many more looking at the topic there. I would need to know both codes to give suggestions but to me sounds like it is slipping as the input shaft sensor and output shaft sensor give the TCU the speeds, the TCU then calculates if everything is running correctly based on engine revs and speed and if there is a varience too far out of values then it will bring up the error and go into limp mode. Also the hot smell could be a sign of something not working in the trans or slipping as slipping will cause heat

I've got a 380

I've worked out the smell at least. haven't had the chance to check the gearbox level since I flushed cause I had to go to SA for a month n a bit. the gearbox is over filled by a good amount at the moment even when cold. will drain out some this weekend n see how it goes

Sorry dannyscustoms. Didn't see your post. That's the problem with reading the forums on a phone.

Steve

I put some Dr tranny flare fix or whatever its called and really settled my box down after a flush too. maybe it was just needed a little more to be a happy little box?

Yes, the extra 400ml seemed to settle it down. Like it was 20000km ago.