L322 Weird ‘Rumble’ and diagtool recommendation

awkwardbob · Sep 27, 2023

Hi,

But of an odd one here…
Whilst driving my 2003 4.4 petrol (110,000 miles) I occasionally get a weird ‘rumble’ which feels like going over a rumble strip.
It lasts for about 1 sec then often the gearbox will kick down.
It feels like it’s coming from the rear N/S.

I wondered whether this may be handbrake related (I suspect the shoes have disintegrated in the drum) but now worry it may be more of a transmission thing.

I do get it in manual mode too although it seems less frequent.

Any help or ideas very welcome !

Also, what would be your recommendations for a comprehensive diagnostic for an early L322 ? I’m slightly upset Nanocom doesn’t cover it (or there isn’t a licence available). I need something to look into ‘issues’ and, whilst working well, I need to recalibrate the EAS.

Thanks again

Bob

Mark Piercy · Sep 27, 2023

If it was handbrake shoes they'd either grumble all the time or give a one off noise and become useless. When it happens does the gearbox kick down everytime?

awkwardbob · Sep 27, 2023

Hi, a bit more info:

It happens repeatedly at around 48-54 mph with very light acceleration and again around 65.

It only happens with very light acceleration -if I accelerate moderately or hard or if I take my foot off the gas it doesn’t happen.

It does this in Drive, 5th and 4th.

It rumbles, the revs drop a little then the gearbox seems to kick down and the revs rise by 500rpm or so

Other than that the engine is smooth and responsive.

Sorry, I know it’s a weird one.

Oh, handbrake is utterly U/S even with cable fully deployed there is minimal (if any) retardation. Notes on last MoT that handbrake at end of travel

Thanks again, Bob

Mark Piercy · Sep 27, 2023

awkwardbob said:
Hi, a bit more info:

It happens repeatedly at around 48-54 mph with very light acceleration and again around 65.

It only happens with very light acceleration -if I accelerate moderately or hard or if I take my foot off the gas it doesn’t happen.

It does this in Drive, 5th and 4th.

It rumbles, the revs drop a little then the gearbox seems to kick down and the revs rise by 500rpm or so

Other than that the engine is smooth and responsive.

Sorry, I know it’s a weird one.

Oh, handbrake is utterly U/S even with cable fully deployed there is minimal (if any) retardation. Notes on last MoT that handbrake at end of travel

Thanks again, Bob

Hopefully not the g/box then

1988smithy · Sep 27, 2023

awkwardbob said:
It happens repeatedly at around 48-54 mph with very light acceleration and again around 65.

Could be torque converter

Datatek · Sep 27, 2023

The "driving over a cattle grid" sensation is one reported symptom of the GM gearbox/torque convertor failing. Drain the oil and look for debris.

1988smithy · Sep 27, 2023

Datatek said:
The "driving over a cattle grid" sensation is one reported symptom of the GM gearbox/torque convertor failing. Drain the oil and look for debris.

Think the 4.4 v8 is a zf 5 speed, could be wrong tho

awkwardbob · Sep 27, 2023

1988smithy said:
Think the 4.4 v8 is a zf 5 speed, could be wrong tho

It is

awkwardbob · Sep 27, 2023

Datatek said:
The "driving over a cattle grid" sensation is one reported symptom of the GM gearbox/torque convertor failing. Drain the oil and look for debris.

Is that a ‘thing’ with this flavour of RR ?

Is it likely to be a horrifically expensive experience ?

biketeacherdave · Sep 27, 2023

Datatek said:
The "driving over a cattle grid" sensation is one reported symptom of the GM gearbox/torque convertor failing. Drain the oil and look for debris.

^^^^^^^ what he said, you can try using manual sport which will eliminate the problem if you shift manually and its no longer there it's cattlegriding and is gearbox/torque converter. So scrap temp measure would be to flush the gearbox asap

nevillen · Sep 28, 2023

foxwell nt 530 is a good 'economy' diagnostic tool, costs around £180 It works fine for my 2005 and if I remember covers 2003 as well.

awkwardbob · Sep 28, 2023

biketeacherdave said:
^^^^^^^ what he said, you can try using manual sport which will eliminate the problem if you shift manually and its no longer there it's cattlegriding and is gearbox/torque converter. So scrap temp measure would be to flush the gearbox asap

Hi, the rumbling happens in 4th and 5th in manual at the same speeds but that could still be the torque convertor as it’s only ‘semi’ manual and it still changes down automatically.

I’ll get the transmission fluid changed this weekend -is it quite straightforwards in these supposed ‘sealed for life’ units ? What should I be looking for in the ‘old’ fluid ?

-is it worth adding an anti-shudder product too ?

Thanks again,

Bob

-looking for a version of Rave which covers the L322 -the one I have only goes up to 2000

1988smithy · Sep 28, 2023

awkwardbob said:
is it worth adding an anti-shudder product too ?

Yes, if it gets better you can buy some time to sort a TC out. It won't kill your box

1988smithy · Sep 28, 2023

awkwardbob said:
-looking for a version of Rave which covers the L322 -the one I have only goes up to 2000

Theres workshop manuals free d/l on fullfatrr.co.uk if thats say help

awkwardbob · Sep 28, 2023

nevillen said:
foxwell nt 530 is a good 'economy' diagnostic tool, costs around £180 It works fine for my 2005 and if I remember covers 2003 as well.

Does the Foxwell read / write to the EAS module and allow you to callibrate the EAS heights ?

And, if purchasing, do I want the JLR or the BMW one ?

Thanks again

Bob

Datatek · Sep 28, 2023

awkwardbob said:
Hi, the rumbling happens in 4th and 5th in manual at the same speeds but that could still be the torque convertor as it’s only ‘semi’ manual and it still changes down automatically.

I’ll get the transmission fluid changed this weekend -is it quite straightforwards in these supposed ‘sealed for life’ units ? What should I be looking for in the ‘old’ fluid ?

-is it worth adding an anti-shudder product too ?

Thanks again,

Bob

-looking for a version of Rave which covers the L322 -the one I have only goes up to 2000

I don't know about your box, but there will be a specific ZF fluid for the box and you may need to do the final top up at a precise temperature.

L322 Weird ‘Rumble’ and diagtool recommendation

awkwardbob

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Mark Piercy

Well fumbled member....

awkwardbob

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Mark Piercy

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1988smithy

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