P38 Gearbox problem, not going in to 4th gear. HELP NEEDED

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P38_Ireland

P38_Ireland

Well-Known Member
Posts
1,392
Location
Co Wexford, Ireland
Hi lads

just had a new gearbox fitted (bought it from emmots of colne) and now having some issues. it wont go in to 4th gear at all now. it was ok when it was fitted first but on a 250mile drive it wouldnt get up to 4th. so dropped in to a specialist land rover dealer in wicklow called kings 4x4 (great lads) and they stuck it on a diagnostic and told me there seemed to be a fault in a solenoid just above the filter in the gearbox

Image2.jpg


my question anyone know which solenoid it could be? is it easy to change? they cant fir me in for another week and i i have to drive a few hunder miles to get back and see them so if i could get my mechanic to fix it locally it would make life a hell of a lot easier.
 
Look at RAVE, but from memory it's MV2 that gives the shift to 4th. All my stuff is in the barn where I'm working on my gearbox, I'll give you a definitive answer later.
Do you have any error messages or the MIL light? Because if you have it is probably in limp home mode which would be third gear.
 
OK here are the solenoid functions for gear selection.

Gear MV1 MV2
1st ---0-----1
2nd .--1-----1
3rd ---1-----0
4th ---0-----0

A 1 = solenoid energized, a 0 = de-energized. Look in RAVE Electrical trouble shooting/circuit section B7 page 7.

As both solenoids change state through the 1st to 3rd changes, it seems unlikely to me that it's a solenoid sticking, although it's possible you are pulling away in 2nd without noticing it which would mean a problem with MV 1. So, if it's a solenoid fault been reported, check the connector at the gearbox for pins that have pushed back, check both halves of the connector.
 
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ok, gonna check that. tell me this, would that also give me trouble engaging in to gear at all sometimes?? for example in the morning it might have to rev it gently in gear to engage the gear. and even sometimes when its warm if i put it in park with the engine running it might struggle to get back in gear.
 
Whichever gear you select on the lever other than reverse, MV 2 should energise for 1st gear, it sounds more like a one way clutch slipping, have you re-checked the oil level? Also check the cable adjustment from the lever to the box.
 
If their diagnostic equipment reported the solenoid problem, then it ought to be able to identify which one...

Mine was reporting a fault on MV3 when I had my gearbox problems but it was unrelated to the issues I was having.

As Datatek suggests, check your connectors - that's what was responsible for my issue.

I'm not very good with auto boxes, but are you sure it's not that the torque convertor isn't locking up? I don't know if that would cause your other problems though. Again, that could be electrical...
 
well ill be redoing the atf level when i have to check the solenoid so will know then if its the fluid level.

im having trouble finding the troubleshooting guide you mentioned. do you have a page number or a section number its in?
 
P38_Ireland said:
well ill be redoing the atf level when i have to check the solenoid so will know then if its the fluid level.

im having trouble finding the troubleshooting guide you mentioned. do you have a page number or a section number its in?
Click to expand...

RAVE/ Electrical trouble shooting/Circuit/ section B7 page 7. pages 96 to 102 in my post 99MY version
 
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What with the problems Bigandgreedy has had with secondhand auto boxes and now yours, plus the apparent propensity of the diesel to eat one way clutches, I think if I didn't already have a secondhand spare I'd have to find the cash for a re-con one from Ashcrofts.
Don't fancy doing the job once let alone twice but as I have a working secondhand one it's worth a gamble.
 
i know, i'll defo consider spending the extra dosh and an referb from ashcrofts if i have to take this one out. its really not worth the hassle. but lets hope it wont come to that.

byt the way checked the gears and im defo changing up from 1st - 2nd - 3rd just no 4th. so im wondering if the solenoid idea is right?
 
right so bit of good news (for now ill see how long this lasts.) i put the FCR on the rangie and found the following fault in the BOSCH-GS2.38 1 FAULT - OBO1B- ANTI STALL FAULT (INVALID SHAFT SENSOR DATA)

cleared it and it hasent returned yet and guess what? took it for a spin and went in to 4th with out any problems, 1st time in about 500 miles. strange thing is mine is a 2000 reg and that ECU is only supposed to be up to 1999? that a big problem?
 
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