Ok - to cut a long story short, I bought a white AWD TJ2 magna a while ago after a very nice Red one I bought previously turned out to have had more hits than Michael Jackson.

Anyways. The red one always put the power to the road - put your foot down, and you could tell all 4 wheels just gripped and off she went.

I assume that this is normal for an AWD. Isn't it?

Now, mine has had no power from takeoff - she slips (or seems like it) and get real bad when warm (even worse when you push it). Also appears to have a completely flat output (ie no urge when you redline the ba$tard in 1st, 2nd or 3rd)

It now appears to have developed another gear on it. This is just getting fsking weird.

Lets call this gear 4.5 (it is now a 6 speed tiptronic. 1,2,3,4,4.5,5)

It only gets into 4.5 when 5th gear is under load (ie going up a hill). Before anyone says it is 4th - it isn't, the ratios are different. You can drop it back from 4.5 to 4 and the revs increase noticibly.

What The Faaaark is going on here???

The Mitsubishi dealer I am going to claims that they put it on a computer and it was all normal, but I now believe that they hold this opinion because they are a bunch of clueless idiots.

I think I will take it to someone who has a clue (ie. another dealership) and get an answer, then take great pleasure in showing them their diagnosis, folding it neatly and shoving it up the service managers... err... yeah. That.

(This is the same service centre that insisted on charging me for repairing a brand new fuel tank that was fitted 16 months ago... so there is NO goodwill towards them here...)

Has anyone had this issue before? (The transmission, not the dumbfsck dealer)

Cheers
Heath Young

I know what you mean about 4.5. You can cruise in 5th and then put your foot down a bit then shift accross to tip and it will say its in 5th still even though it sounds like it has shifted. Its done this and I thought it was normal (torque convertor flare/lockup/no lockup) I havent had an auto before so thought no more of it. I really need to get a trans cooler as after pushing it hard for a while it goes very fluid and will start to flare more.

How does yours drive? Do you have instant take-off (ie hit the accelerator and off it goes) or does it take off lesurely?

The hotter it gets, the more it seems to slip too...

Cheers
Heath Young

Now that you mention it..... mine also seems to have a 3.5 gear (4spd auto), I've noticed it particularly when cruising (ie cruise control set), aircon on, and I come to a hill - it will struggle a bit getting up the hill, then the revs appear to increase (only slightly) but definetly not the same ratio as 3rd.

As for the slipping and hesitation - all I can suggest is a full transmission flush and renew. We all know these transmissions are tempremental about the correct fluid, and the condition of said fluid. I've only experience transmission issues when I first got the car (lagged, then kicked down very forcefully from 4 - 3rd) - took it back to them and got a trans flush and renew, and it's been good as gold since.

I also intend to fit a transmission cooler very shortly - I'm sure it's worthwile, if only for piece of mind.

*edit* - just re-reading my own post and wondering if it's something to do with the airconditioner switching off once the engine reaches a certain load level (ie going up a hill).... will try and test on the same hill, aircon and no aircon.

I don't think that the 4 speeds do it - Mine never did, this is why I am wondering exactly why this 5 speed is...

Cheers
Heath Young

I don't think that the 4 speeds do it - Mine never did, this is why I am wondering exactly why this 5 speed is...

Cheers
Heath Young

Well they mustn't then :nuts:

Forget I said anything.....

Mines pretty sprightly, it jumps off the line and revs out cleanly. That was after changing exhaust and getting an EZ boy TB. The TB definitely made a difference to how responsive it was low down and the exhaust lets it rev out. Mine only flares after giving it a real workout (especially now the suspension is done, body roll banished) so its only a problem after extended revving. With the 5+ gears maybe its just unlocking the torque converter and then locking again but as I said not sure.

5 gears only guys, but the feeling of a half gear is torque converter lock/un-lock

Yeah - sounds reasonable.

My very poor take off from the line sounds like a screwed torque converter.

A converter may fail internally, which will reduce mpg and affect vehicle performance. If the one-way torque converter clutch slips, then the vehicle will characteristically have very poor acceleration. Mpg will be significantly reduced since engine torque is not being multiplied during acceleration. A vehicle with a slipping one-way torque converter clutch will experience a 20 to 30% decrease in fuel economy.

Torque converters contain a one-way clutch. If the clutch jams and locks the stator (which normally keeps the stator turning only one way), the converter can't circulate the fluid properly between the impeller and turbine. The resulting turbulence inside the unit can cause a lack of power at highway speeds and may cause the engine to overheat during cruise conditions. A locked one-way clutch will also cause the fluid to run dangerously hot, which can damage the transmission and lead to transmission failure. If the one-way clutch fails to hold its position and freewheels in both directions, the torque converter can't multiply torque normally and the vehicle will accelerate slowly (like starting out in second gear). The only cure for either condition is to replace the torque converter.

Time to take it to a transmission place and get an answer on this one.

This sounds EXACTLY like my issues - Poor torque (and I mean piss poor torque), really poor acceleration. Nothing wrong with the engine (no codes etc.)

From: http://www.aa1car.com/library/2003/ic60340.htm - Interesting read...

Stay tuned, I hope to get to the bottom of this soon (without resorting to buying a new car)

Cheers
Heath Young

5 gears only guys, but the feeling of a half gear is torque converter lock/un-lock


Agreed :)

After doing some more reading - the 4.5 gear is torque converter lock-unlock when the engine is under a lot of load. Computer controlled, so it makes sense...

I am reasonably convinced that the no-power issue I have is due to no torque multiplication as the one-way clutch in the stator is FUBAR.

I think somebody was treating this gearbox with very little respect before I bought the car.

Cheers
Heath Young

An update.

I took the car to a transmission specialist who tested the stall speed and slip - no issues.

He also confirmed that the 4.5th gear is actually the torque converter lockup clutch engaging/disengaging, and is perfectly normal (it drops the lockup when you pass the kickdown point in 5th in tiptronic)

He did indicate the car felt like it had major breathing problems, probably in the exhaust.

So it looks like I am going to have to continue searching...

Cheers
Heath Young