Hi guys,

My car is just over 5 years old and has just under 135k on the clock, so about ready for her next service.
Normally when I drive in "D", the light on the dash illuminates the "D" only, irrespective of gear. When I shift the shifter left into sports mode, the light shows on gears 1-5, corresponding to which gear it is in.

However, last night something scary happened. As I was driving in "D", the dash lights would show next to the gear that I was in (1-5) even though I wasn't in sports mode. I then tried to put it into sports mode, and the car would not respond to my manual shifts.

Further, I feel that when I put it into reverse, it doesn't go smoothly, and the whole car shakes a little as if you're taking off in a manual and nearly stall it

I haven't tried disconnecting the battery yet, as I'd first like to hear any insights from my esteemed forum members! I'd also like to be able to tell my mechanic what to look for when I bring it in for service, as there is always a chance that the labour time searching for this issue could skyrocket..

Cheers,

Mick

transmssion due for a flush and a service?

I'd be checking the switch gear at the bottom of the gear lever. Sounds like one of the switches has gone stupid. That's only a guess, never exposed those bits myself, but may be worth a check. At worst you could try disconnecting the two tippy switches, and see if it runs normally again as a full auto - that would tell you one of those switches has gone wrong.

Whats your tranny fluid look like & is it the correct level? Also could be the microswitches in the shifter, mine were faulty from new & could only drive in tippy ..... bit of an embarrasment for the dealer when I picked the car up & it wouldnt change gears lol

This is an electrical issue, nothign to do with the trans

I ahve had a couple come in like this, one was the inhibitor switch playing up the other was the sports mode switch or tippy switch in the shifter, when in reverse the car was trying to select reverse and forward at the same time

Cheers for the prompt feedback, guess we're all having a lazy saturday morning :)

I'll let you know next week if there's anything suss going on with the tranny oil, once I get a professional opinion. However, I had a look at the oil, and it wasn't dark or anything, still a translucent golden colour. Also, I drove city and freeway driving for over an hour or so with absolutely no change in shift patterns or anything, so fingers crossed its all running alright.

As for the electrics, would this be a good job to have to the dealer fix (not including 135k service) or would you suggest this is basic enough for myself to pull open and replace? I work 5 seconds away from Phil Gilberts

Update: Just started the car up to have a listen to it while the filter was out (cleaning the k&n) and it was back to normal - would this suggest a loose switch/wire?

Update: Just started the car up to have a listen to it while the filter was out (cleaning the k&n) and it was back to normal - would this suggest a loose switch/wire?

Electrical, definitely. More likely a switch that is stuck on or shorted out.

Translucent golden colour? what fluid is othat?! :S Shouldn't the fluid be red?

I had this issue and I had to get the micro switches replaced in the gear selector

Sorry for the late update, guess i got her in a little late for service!

Nothing wrong with the transmission fluid, got the mechanic to check yesterday (a month on from my initial report)
Selector hasn't played up again since.

Can anyone direct me to a DIY thread of someone pulling their gear selector out? I'm a little apprehensive to have a look. Will probably eventually do it so that i can remove the chrome ring on the selector

Um, just a question while you're on this topic, is there any way to mod the switches so that when the transmission is in normal "D" mode it will also show the indicator light next to the gear its currently in, like it does in sportsmode? Or is that controlled by a chip, rather than switches.