TD4 Auto - Gear change problem

Hi guys.

Weird problem developing on the auto box. When changing in auto mode (non sport) there is a weird hesitation between deselecting 3rd gear & selecting 4th gear. Describing as if I was driving a manual car it's like applying the clutch and letting the revs climb before selecting 4th and disengaging the clutch. There is a definite hesitation between deselecting 3rd & engaging 4th in the Jatco. Results in jerky acceleration between 40 and 50mph as the change occurs. It's a pretty poor gear change.

Anyone come across a problem like this before, any ideas what it could be? It was doing this before an auto fluid change, done by an indy at 65k and it's still doing it after, no worse but no better.

Any ideas would be much appreciated.

Jodsclass said:

Hi guys.

Weird problem developing on the auto box. When changing in auto mode (non sport) there is a weird hesitation between deselecting 3rd gear & selecting 4th gear. Describing as if I was driving a manual car it's like applying the clutch and letting the revs climb before selecting 4th and disengaging the clutch. There is a definite hesitation between deselecting 3rd & engaging 4th in the Jatco. Results in jerky acceleration between 40 and 50mph as the change occurs. It's a pretty poor gear change.

Anyone come across a problem like this before, any ideas what it could be? It was doing this before an auto fluid change, done by an indy at 65k and it's still doing it after, no worse but no better.

Any ideas would be much appreciated.

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sounds like mines but mines does it from 4th to 5th am going to try a fluid change and see how that goes

I did the fluid change but didn't seem to rectify it. Hope you have better luck.

Jodsclass said:

I did the fluid change but didn't seem to rectify it. Hope you have better luck.

Click to expand...

i hope so mate its the first freelander ive owned and if the box goes into melt down it will probably be the last. mines is the same it changes but its like dragging the clutch then it locks up car is on 102000 miles

all sorts of weird stuff happens with dirty or loose plugs on auto box- cable tie seems accepted solution.

Also make sure if you check the oil it is at correct temperature and you get the right bolt- if you don't your be having gearbox fixed

could be the seals in your box are going

Will try the connections & maybe try another fluid change. I saw that Ashcrofts fit recon jatcos for £1500 so if the thing does go boom it's not the end of the world, but I'd rather keep it going as long as possible. It's so hard to find an Auto specialist who will look at these gear boxes. Could an underfilled/overfilled gearbox produce these symptoms?

The wrong fluid and/or wrong level will produce all sorts of strange results.

Main dealer screwed mine up- so had to do the job again. I do it myself now.

Despite the price of the fluid, apart from checking the electrical connections, it's the cheapest option before you start pulling things apart.

See my thread on exactly how I checked the level.

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f9/jatco-fluid-change-success-190451.html

Good luck.

Singvogel.

As well as having the Freelander I also have an XC90 (needed 7 seats) and I had problems with a harsh change from 3rd to 4th in that. As there are a lot of auto XC90's around there is a bit more information about to help fix problems.

I cured mine with a full gearbox flush using the "Gibbons" method which effectively replaces 90% - 95% of the oil in your gearbox instead of the 40% to 50% at best with the simple sump drain and re-fill method.

Although I am not familiar with the Jatco auto gearbox in the Freelander, like the XC90, it mush have a return line from the oil cooler that can be tapped into? If it has then I would highly recommend a full ATF flush using the "Gibbons" method and while I'm at it I would also recommend using the best ATF specified for the box. I don't know what goes into the Jatco box but I used one of the universal fully synthetic ATFs Amsoil and I can't recommend it enough.

Link here Transmission flushing at home: Really easy, really effective

I know it's for the Volvo but surely some pioneering DIYer on here could try this method and write a Freelander specific guide?

Thanks Stewart. It does sound about right, only a small portion fo the ATF actually comes out when changing it, you would need to change it a few times to try and flush most of the crap out, & then there is no guarantee it's all out. A flush method would be good. Most mechanics I have spoken to here in Manchester, up in Scotland & down in Cornwall refused to deal with Auto Boxes. Rather than fault find they just want to throw a recon box in there. If I can't sort it out it may well be worth the 200 mile trip from here to Ashcrofts for them to fix.

Will let you know how I get on.