Hi, this may have been covered before... I have looked but short of hijacking an old thread I decided to start a new...anyway, something that I have been trying to pretend hasn't existed but was more pronounced during the Vic cruise I went on the other night... (going up a winding hill - @ Arthur's Seat)
When I decelerate and the auto trans drops to second gear, then I ask for more power again without stopping (i.e. accelerating out of a sharp bend) 7 times out of 10 the gearbox wont drop to first easily when I really need it to, it seems to hang and try to accelerate from second as if it was first gear. I can get it to drop to first but this involves almost putting the foot to the floor and by the time this happens I get a massive burst of revs and cringe at the thought of the engine getting a huge kick in the guts. Is this a common problem with the auto trans? Any advice? Cheers

there's nothing wrong dude. that's the standard cheap auto gearbox for you. you will realise that the magna auto gearbox will never kick down to 1st doing around 60... like you mentioned, it just hangs on to 2nd as though it were in first. so, going around 60 is not a good time to race anyone if you drive an auto. as long as your auto engages and shifts smoothly and promptly, that's the only thing you can ask from it really. :cry:

From what i can tell, like Gauss07 said that is common auto practice.
What you can try is a Computer reset,
What you will have to do is discconect your battery for about 5-10 mintes.
then reconnect it then follow this procedure

This is the reset procedure from a genuine mitsubishi workshop manual.

Computer Relearn Procedures
All Models
* PLEASE READ THIS FIRST *
The following general procedures are to be used if
driveability problems are encountered after power loss or battery has
been disconnected. These procedures may provide an aid in eliminating
these problems.
To reduce the possibility of complaints, after any service
which requires battery power to be disconnected, vehicle should be
road tested.
COMPUTER RELEARN PROCEDURES
Vehicles equipped with engine or transmission computers may
require a relearn procedure after vehicle battery is disconnected.
Many vehicle computers memorize and store vehicle operation patterns
for optimum driveability and performance. When vehicle battery is
disconnected, this memory is lost. The computer will use default data
until new data from each key start is stored. As computer memorizes
vehicle operation for each new key start, driveability is restored.
Vehicle computers may memorize vehicles operation patterns for 40 of
more key starts.
Customers often complain of driveability problems during
relearn stage because vehicle acts differently then before being
serviced. Depending on type and make of vehicle and how it is
equipped, the following complaints (driveability problems) may exist:
* Harsh Or Poor Shift Quality
* Rough Or Unstable Idle
* Hesitation Or Stumble
* Rich Or Lean Running
* Poor Fuel Mileage
These symptoms and complaints should disappear after a number
of drive cycles have been memorized. To reduce the possibility of
complaints, after any service which requires battery power to be
disconnected, vehicle should be road tested. If a specific relearn
procedure is not available, the following procedure may be used:
Automatic Transmission
* Set parking brake, start engine in "P" or "N" position.
Warm-up vehicle to normal operating temperature or until
cooling fan cycles.
* Allow vehicle to idle for one minute in "N" position. Select
"D" and allow engine to idle for one minute.
* Accelerate at normal throttle position (20-50%) until vehicle
shifts into top gear.
* Cruise at light to medium throttle.
* Decelerate to a stop, allowing vehicle to downshift, and use
brakes normally.
* Process may be repeated as necessary.

Hope this helps

Good-luck

there are 'good' auto's and 'not so good' autos. if you've driven a beemer or merc, you'd know what i mean. granted they are still way off in terms of response compared to a manual and sure, auto's will never kick down to the best gear one time, everytime. but there are auto's that are more responsive than others. and if there's one thing i can say abt the magna auto box, it is that it is far from being an impressive piece of hardware.

Thanks for the responses gauss07 and MrB, I figured that this would be the case. I actually fairly regularaly get my gearbox serviced (with a reset) and this does seem to help. It is just a bugger when your get down to low speeds (even less than 60!) and it still wont do it. Oh well I will just have to keep rocking backward and forward in my seat to get the momentum happening!
Maybe someone in the forum will be kind enough to donate me a manual gearbox and install it for me too free of charge! :nuts:

P.s. thanks MrB for the tech notes. I will give it a go.

I dont think the gearbox in the magna will downshift to first gear if your doing 60km/h. There are certain speed ranges for certain gears in downshifting. Upshifting however is a different case.

I dont think the gearbox in the magna will downshift to first gear if your doing 60km/h. There are certain speed ranges for certain gears in downshifting. Upshifting however is a different case.
Yeah, to be honest if I was trying to kick down to first doing 60 then I wouldn't be posting this cos not only would I be pushing my luck with my trans, but I might get the cane for it here, it is just about 20-30km/h where I do expect it to drop down to first if I need to get going.

How come no one is rushing to donate me a manual gearbox? ;)