Freelander 1 Automatic Gearbox and Solenoids (Td4)

Hello,

I have read various posts on this forum and others about the woes of the automatic gearbox on the Freelanders. Mine seems to have a kind of common fault where it lost reverse gear and just revs up like if it was in neutral. The oil change was carried out about 3 years ago (30000 Miles ish).

I have seen a youtube link on the forum about testing the solenoids resistance, as of yet, have not done this due to it raining all the time at the moment.

However I tried something last night, when the car is in neutral, sometimes I am able to roll it back. But last night I tried the reverse gear and could clearly feel the gear box bite in to the gear, and rolled the Freelander back even easier, without me assisting it, though again when I press the accelerator, it only revs.

I have not yet had the gearbox removed for investigation, as the quotes for repairs/replacement unfortunately out way the value of the car. But I was wondering if I do test the resistance in the Solenoids and one or two turn out to be faulty, could this cause the issue? Can the solenoids be swapped over without the need of removing the gear box or gear box oil?

I have had the car plugged in for a diagnostic and the following came up:
P1715 - Intermediate speed sensor or no signal - invalid signal
Cab bus fault - Bus off (no code)

Any other tips would be grateful, I have considered finding a second hand gearbox and take a gamble that its a good one, but again not committed to this yet.

Many thanks once again

I don't know much about the box, but from what I see on here, the solenoids give problems in forward gears, but its the 'band' that fails for reverse - which is all together more complex/costly. Others will probably confirm or tell me I'm a twat.

It's more likely to be the reverse brake band than the solenoid.

you have not undone the wrong bolt have you as it has happened where people think they are undoing the fill pipe for the auto box when in fact they are undoing the bolt that holds the brake band this will not affect forward gears but sorry if that has been done then its a box out.

I haven’t touched any bolts, oil was changed about three years ago. I was doing a three point turn and it all became interesting all of a sudden, no bangs or thuds, just a lot of revs

It'll be the reverse brake band. There's another poster on here with a shudder in reverse, which is the first sign of impending failure. Sometimes however reverse just stops working.

I’m guessing to replace the band is a specialist job and not for a diy on a drive

If you were brave you could swap the box on the driveway, its akin to doing the clutch on an FWD car, although the hippo's autobox and IRD are a bit heavier, and access is a bit tighter than most FWD setups but it is doable. However, working on the inside of an autobox requires a scrupulously clean workshop and in most cases some special tools, so the fact you don't have a workshop to put the car in tells me you don't have the facilities to do the internal work on the gearbox.

I've attached a copy of the rebuild and repair manual for the autobox for your edification,

Jayridium said:

If you were brave you could swap the box on the driveway, its akin to doing the clutch on an FWD car, although the hippo's autobox and IRD are a bit heavier, and access is a bit tighter than most FWD setups but it is doable. However, working on the inside of an autobox requires a scrupulously clean workshop and in most cases some special tools, so the fact you don't have a workshop to put the car in tells me you don't have the facilities to do the internal work on the gearbox.

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Yep, unless kitchen table is ok?

1997 Discovery said:

Yep, unless kitchen table is ok?

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I've made do with the kitchen table in the past, much to the upset of the wife!

I also figured you weren't likely to take no for an answer on the "can I do this at home" - and thats why I dug out the repair manual for the autobox for you

Since I gave you the proper manual for doing the repair, I think I'm entitled to ask for pics of the process if you do indeed do the automatic gearbox surgery at home. Especially if its on the kitchen table, as it could be useful for a bit of "management of expectations" in my household.

Good manual, thanks for sharing. Didn't realise the Mazda connection.

I let you know what I decide, at the moment it’s done 3000 miles without reverse, it drives perfectly .

if I decide I’m brave enough to do the work, yes pictures will be taken 100%.

I'm thinking of rebuilding a replacement auto for my SE, if I can find a suitable unit for repair.

Has the same thing failed on yours?

@Nodge68 I've got a TD4 autobox in need of clutches up here that you could have for £50 plus shipping?

Sorry, but that's sounds even more involved than the reverse band

But you've got to delve pretty deep into these boxes to get to the reverse band. And if you were doing such a rebuild, rebuilding mine would allow you to keep the vehicle in serice until you had finished the rebuild, rather than have your vehicle in bits for a lot longer. Or you could use my box as a "core", send it to a recon place, get it rebuilt, and have it on the drive ready to fit as soon as your own box has been removed. OR you could practice on my box, if you get swamped with taking it apart you can scrap it and send your own one in for repair.

Jayridium said:

@Nodge68 I've got a TD4 autobox in need of clutches up here that you could have for £50 plus shipping?

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I could be interested, if it's got the TC with it? Can you get a shipping quote?