HI,

My 2.6 TS has just done 210,000 kms and I seem to be experiencing similar problems to others with sluggish change of gears upwards when I have slowed to go around a corner or roundabout. I have tried resetting the ECU to no avail. I've just had a trans service done, whihc has marginally improved the performance. The guy that performed the service was sort of talking that he thought my trans may need a rebuild, and he has quoted me $ 1700 to do it? Is this a fair price for this work? He wasn't able to give me any indication of what might be wrong other than a total rebuild, whihc makes me think he may not have much experience with these cars.

I would really appreiciate your input, as I really depend on my car for work. If I keep on driving it am I doing further damage, or can I keep on going until the trans is totally kaput?

regards


Gabrielle

try another tcu first
the tranny puter is seperate to the ecu
get one from a wrecker

what is the gearbox actually doing
does the overdrive work

Thanks for such a quick reply

It's actually worse when you use the overdrive, the problem is more prevelent. I had been told a couple of years ago by another transmissin bloke not to use the overdrive and power modes if at all possible, so I normally have them both off, but my main mechanic keeps turning them on.

What happens normally if I slow down to around between say 17ks - 25ks to take a corner or go through a roundabout, when I go to put my foot on the acclerator, it hesitates and will not change up smoothly. It sort of revs a bit. It has been happening intermittently for several months but it is on the increase. Before I had the trans service last week, it had got to the stage if the overdrive was on it was doing it continually. I hven't tried it in overdrive since as I don't want to cause anymore damage than I have to.

The TCU - how much are they roughly and can a female like me install?

ok the TCU is about $75 or more (has to be out of a 4 cyl TS same as your car )
on the 4 cyl TR model its on the floor
under the carpet below the radio

it is a bit of a job needs a few screwdrivers

just a guess
it is in the same place on the TS 4 cyl model

overdrive is used this way ......

on for above 70 km/h and above .... off when below that

I would maybe first check the readout from the diagnostic and check sensors before getting a new TCU. Does engine light show? This could be a lot of things and considering its 4th gear that is main problem i think You will find its something more to do with the circuit between overdrive switch and the mechanical body (solenoid b?), if not end clutch or piston. Also did you do the proper procedure after reseting ECU? because that could explain the slugish gears which just leaves you with overdrive problem. I would also ask myself exactly who and how much did they do who serviced the trans? Did they do a full flush?

As I recall the owner's manual says to leave overdrive on all the time. That's what I did when I had an auto 2.6 and it lasted 250,000k without issue.

if your in the south east side man, go speak to Dave @ RVO Transmissons. (Dingley Ave, Dandenong)
He will hook up his diagnostic computer and check whats wrong.
i got quoted that i needed a full rebuild on my tranny from a mechanic on AMC, went to dave and turns out it was a fried TPS.

if your in the south east side man, go speak to Dave @ RVO Transmissons. (Dingley Ave, Dandenong)
He will hook up his diagnostic computer and check whats wrong.
i got quoted that i needed a full rebuild on my tranny from a mechanic on AMC, went to dave and turns out it was a fried TPS.

TPS is throttle position sensor? do you mean TCU?