Hi guys,

Haven't been on these forums for a while but occasionally visit and its good to see its still going strong. Still enjoy driving my TL VRX :D

I've got an issue with the transmission where I think its on its way out but not sure. After searching through the forums I think it could be the case.

Difficult to shift from N to D. Needs to be warmed up. Driving it the other day, it felt like it takes a while to engage through the gears. It used to downshift to 2nd when driving hard and upshifting from 2nd to 3rd. Transmission fluids look ok.

Can anyone please advise if this probably needs a transmission replacement? and if so what the approx cost? I'm thinking its gonna cost about 2gs incl. fitting. Does anyone know if I can get a recon transmission from someone here in SA?

I'm also told the part number ends with B5B2,E5B3 OR EI03. Which is it ?? I've already got F5A51 as the main part number. Any help appreciated. Cheers.

have you had the Transmission serviced yet??

For starters, dont worry yourself with partnumbers etc etc. The transmission from any 5sp auto TL or W will bolt in and work

I am cursing you are in SA as I am dying to give a 380 Trans I have modded here a go in a TL or TW but oh well

First things first,
Do the reset and relearn on the ecu, costs nothing.

Dont also think first hand is just the Trans as I have now had 4 TL and TW series with the exact symptom as yours, was the ECU not the trans causing this issue. I am starting to think there may be an issue with some of the TL ECU units. If you know someone over there with a TL or W with 5sp auto in it, perhaps they will be willing to drop their ecu and BEM into your car and go for a drive, just get the antenna and tape their key to it to get the car to start so you dont have to change ignition barrels etc. Is a good way to check the trans and ecu for sure.

drop your fluid, check for any evedence of wave spring etc. If all good there then complete a proper flush. Do it yourself as per manual, dont get dealerships to do this as rarely will they do an actual flush as adversed to a dump and refill.

have you had the Transmission serviced yet??

No I haven't had the transmission specifically serviced. Just the usual service. Car has now done around 170000k.

Thanks for all the tips MadMagna. I'll definitely give the ECU a reset and see how it goes. Hoping its not the Trans as it could save me $$. I'm thinking if I take it to my mechanic, they may just assume its the Trans, not sure if they would try to isolate the issue to the ECU. As for the TL/Ws you came across with issues caused by the ECU, did the ECU require a repair or were they fixed from a reset. I will look into flushing the Trans myself too. Cheers.

Eddy wreckers do 2nd hand trans , other than that i would go to MV automatics blackwood Michael does a great job on mmal trans's and i hate to say yes you will be talking 2k at least for recond trans anywhere these days .

Make sure you use the correct oil other wise you will have damper clutch vibrations on light throttle dont use dexron .

just get the antenna and tape their key to it to get the car to start so you dont have to change ignition barrels etc.

O.O

Wah?