Freelander 1 Weird Auto Gearbox problem.

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Bugsy

Bugsy

Active Member
Posts
102
Location
Vienne, France - The Nice Bit
The auto box on our Freelander ( 2003 TD4) has developed a weird fault.
Sometimes when you select 'D' it goes in with a clunk and if you try to drive it as soon as it changes gear it makes an awful noise like it's trying to engage more than one gear at once.
By trial and error I've found that if you switch it off, then start it again, it acts normally and works as it should.
When it happens It only seems to be the first time you use it and then is OK for the rest of the day.

Any help would be much appreciated

Gary.
 
It could be a solenoid or maybe it just requires an oil changed, I think the oil changed as to be done while the gearbox is warm, but don't quote me on it
 
hi

have u done a full solenoid ohms test

if u do a search on here , hippo has done an extensive report on how to test them and also how to do an oil change

oil change must be done with the engine running and need to get a probe thermostat to ensure the oil is at the correct temperature

I've done my own oil changes , as it was also thudding into gear and also on occasion slipping , lucky enough the oil changes cured the problem , mines on 180,000 miles and changes gear really smoothly and very quiet

hope u get on ok , if u get stuck please come back as there's many of us here that have auto boxes
 
you need to contact Lord Hippo and do not do a fluid change on a auto unless you know what you are doing as undoing the wrong bolt can result in loosing reverse gear and they should be done every 60'000 miles
 
When you say it only does it once... I assume this is the first time when starting or starting from cold? Or is it the first time you select D and it tries to move? I assume after the initial thud it goes up/down gears smoothly and out/in D and is still ok?

After starting if you wait with it on tick over for 2 mins does it still do it when going into D?

As above an oil change works wonders on the Jatco. The fluid contains womble dna which helps clean the auto inside. A partial oil change is done every 60k miles. They only recommend a partial change. Link below provides the method and some of the work we did to confirm what we were doing was correct.

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/jatco-automatic-gearbox.69336/page-3

As above if you do it or get a garage to do it make sure they know what they is doing. We have a steady flow of garages who cause owners grief when cocking it up. You have to undo the correct bolts (NOT the one on the rear that holds the reverse brake band) and check the level with the engine running. A fluid change can fix all sorts of strange problems. It could be a sticking solenoid.
 
Hippo said:
When you say it only does it once... I assume this is the first time when starting or starting from cold? Or is it the first time you select D and it tries to move? I assume after the initial thud it goes up/down gears smoothly and out/in D and is still ok?

After starting if you wait with it on tick over for 2 mins does it still do it when going into D?

As above an oil change works wonders on the Jatco. The fluid contains womble dna which helps clean the auto inside. A partial oil change is done every 60k miles. They only recommend a partial change. Link below provides the method and some of the work we did to confirm what we were doing was correct.

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/jatco-automatic-gearbox.69336/page-3

As above if you do it or get a garage to do it make sure they know what they is doing. We have a steady flow of garages who cause owners grief when cocking it up. You have to undo the correct bolts (NOT the one on the rear that holds the reverse brake band) and check the level with the engine running. A fluid change can fix all sorts of strange problems. It could be a sticking solenoid.
Click to expand...

must admit this millers fluid seems to be holding up ok

box has stopped that thud and also changes very smoothly still , it was from standstill when u selected drive and also on the odd occasion from 2-3rd gear ,

all has gone since doing the oil change

going to check the level before winter sets in

totally agree in how many people have come into here saying there gearbox is worse after taking it to a garage that didn't know what they were doing
 
Hippo said:
When you say it only does it once... I assume this is the first time when starting or starting from cold? Or is it the first time you select D and it tries to move? I assume after the initial thud it goes up/down gears smoothly and out/in D and is still ok?

After starting if you wait with it on tick over for 2 mins does it still do it when going into D?

As above an oil change works wonders on the Jatco. The fluid contains womble dna which helps clean the auto inside. A partial oil change is done every 60k miles. They only recommend a partial change. Link below provides the method and some of the work we did to confirm what we were doing was correct.

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/jatco-automatic-gearbox.69336/page-3

As above if you do it or get a garage to do it make sure they know what they is doing. We have a steady flow of garages who cause owners grief when cocking it up. You have to undo the correct bolts (NOT the one on the rear that holds the reverse brake band) and check the level with the engine running. A fluid change can fix all sorts of strange problems. It could be a sticking solenoid.
Click to expand...

I've not tried waiting so will do that.
Wife has just gone out this morning and it took 4 attempts before it would engage smoothly.

thank you for that link Hippo.

I have it booked in next Wednesday at an English guys garage near here. (Andy Cole) He specialises in Land Rover and has full LR diagnostic equipment. On the basis of what I've read above would you recommend a complete oil change or just a level check ?
 
Last edited:
Bugsy said:
I've not tried waiting so will do that.
Wife has just gone out this morning and it took 4 attempts before it would engage smoothly.

thank you for that link Hippo.

I have it booked in next Wednesday at an English guys garage near here. (Andy Cole) He specialises in Land Rover and has full LR diagnostic equipment. On the basis of what I've read above would you recommend a complete oil change or just a level check ?
Click to expand...
If it's not had an oil change for some time then while it's in the garage you could ask him to do it. It only needs the partual change. The active cleaners in the changed fluid are enough to clean. A full change can be bad as it over cleans, if thats the correct term. If it doesn't fix it after a partual change then a second partual change can, after a few hundred miles of the fluid washing round inside from the first time. They rarely provide any error codes which is a shame. The standard tests are to do the resistance check, do a level check and read codes if you can. Not all aftermarket diagnostic kit can. While he's checking the level he could easily do a partual change. Naturally the colour/smell of the fluid indicates whats going on inside if it's burnt or mucky. Thought on diagnosis would be taken from there on. The fact that it does work once drive is taken up is a good thing.
 
Hippo said:
Why? Does it have a probkem. It's not done many miles since the last change. If it ain't broke'd...
Mine needs washed if yer board. ;)
Click to expand...

got Into the habit of checking everything pre winter ,

board who me, nah never, got a whole house to decorate , lol

like the millers ATF
 
gstuart said:
got Into the habit of checking everything pre winter ,

board who me, nah never, got a whole house to decorate , lol

like the millers ATF
Click to expand...
You really don't need to check the auto level yearly. It only needs checking if it's service interval is up and a fluid change required, if there's a problem or it's leaking. If leaking then the leak needs solved. If it int broke'd...
 
Hippo said:
You really don't need to check the auto level yearly. It only needs checking if it's service interval is up and a fluid change required, if there's a problem or it's leaking. If leaking then the leak needs solved. If it int broke'd...
Click to expand...

ive always done pre winter checks, so that if there's a problem I can resolve the issue whilst it's not too bad with regards to the weather , go through all the levels through the whole car

i have done an ATF oil change on the box every year , agree a total overkill but it's on 180,000

check all levels under the bonnet once a month

had the hippo 5 years and like to keep on top of all the Maintenance, and would rather spend out on oils than new parts. ;):)
 
Just to report that after an oil change and a general check (wiring etc) the gearbox problem (touching a large piece of wood) has gone away.

Thanks to everyone who helped with suggestions.

Gary.
 
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