diybilko

New Member
Hello everyone, I have a petrol 2001 Freelander 2.5 V6 Auto, the thing is, I don't have any lcd error codes to report, but the engine management light is on and the gearbox wont shift higher than 3rd gear at about 30mph. if I try to go faster the engine revs go higher but the car doesn't, it sounds like a slipping clutch does, but is automatic, and they don't have clutches... do they? Can anybody out there please help and suggest things that I can do to diagnose the cause? thanks for looking. Darren.
 
yes they do - well sort of. solenoids in gearbox etc. have you checked gearbox oil level? has the oil been changed?
 
Im not sure when it was last changed, ive only had it around three weeks. Whats the most suitable non Land rover spec oil I could buy , and how much will I need?
 
it is a lr spec. If yu do it yourself, follow the Rave exactly otherwise yu can heck the box. see the FAQ section.
 
Thanks for the reply's.

I have sourced some ATF from a company called Rock oil, I emailed them and gave them the name of the Landover oil, and asked if they either had a superior or equivalent oil, I got an email back along with the data sheet for ATF DIII-MV oil and land rover is on it, they are asking for £2.75 a ltr... will this be OK?

The box will not go into 4th, and I cant select command shift, could this also be caused by the oil?

thanks for any replies.
 
can I ask why you think the problem is with the box? and why not put any oil in if my drain off is blackis?
 
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so I drained the oil today, and it was a very dark brown/red colour and smelt burned.... would that suggest the box needs replacing?
 
Ok, ill have to take it for a god test drive tomorrow to see if the oil change has made any difference.
Can you tell me if the engine management light is illuminated when a gearbox fault is recognised, even though I have no fault codes displayed on the lcd screen.
 
Ok, ill have to take it for a god test drive tomorrow to see if the oil change has made any difference.
Can you tell me if the engine management light is illuminated when a gearbox fault is recognised, even though I have no fault codes displayed on the lcd screen.
Auto has a clutch pack for every gear. Burnt smelling oil coming out very dark would make me think the clutches have worn. Perhaps the reason for loss of 4th gear. Fault codes will be in the auto's computer so you may not get anything on the display.
 
So if the Fault codes are stored in the auto's computer would I still get the engine warning light? the main reason im asking is that I don't want to spend my hard earned money replacing the gear box to find I have an engine problem even although the engine seems to run as smooth as I think it should.
 
So if the Fault codes are stored in the auto's computer would I still get the engine warning light? the main reason im asking is that I don't want to spend my hard earned money replacing the gear box to find I have an engine problem even although the engine seems to run as smooth as I think it should.
It's difficult to say. I've used my hawkeye to look at fault codes present in the auto and there hasn't been any codes in the engines computer. At the time there wasn't any codes on the dash like the flashing F 4 which I had when the barrel connectors came apart. I did get the MIL engine malfunction indicator light come on. As I haven't had the same fault as you have I can't say for sure there won't be any warning on the dash, but would be surprised if there were from what I've seen over the years. I've had the connectors come apart which defaulted the auto to 4th gear.

Can you:
Start the engine.
Put the auto in Drive and push the lever to the right to select Sport mode, then pull the lever back to move to manual selection mode (steptronic) 1st gear.
Take your foot off the brake and drive forwards by increasing the revs.
Now push the lever forward to select 2nd gear and continue to go a bit faster.
Now push the lever forward to select 3rd gear and continue to go a bit faster.
Now push the lever forward to select 4th gear. Does it select gear ok or rev up and miss. What happens next?
If you now pull the lever back to select 3rd gear (presumably) does it select 3rd or any gear? Or have you lost drive altogether?

Easy check which may not be your fault is to make sure the 2x barrel connectors are joined together ok. They twist to mate. If they come apart you can lose drive and it defaults to 4th gear, and flashes F 4 on the dash. I don't think this will solve your problem but you could have a look. It's free to do. Also have a look at the wiring and see if there's any broken/stripped wires to and from the 2 barrel connectors.

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