G/box: 850 Auto: Gearbox swap?

[5seaterT5]

Originally Posted by ttacornwall

Hi 5seaterT5, basicaly you have had some very sound advice. There are sevral things that will help with your auto.
When the problem arouse did the orange arrow light come on and flash? No not that i noticed.When you select 3 and L the orange arrow light will come on but it should not flash.Yes it does this but only that i noticed after doin the gearstick 20 times bitHave you checked the level of the transmission fluid?Yes this is all done i have driven a TOYOTA auto for almost 7 years tis the same setup (There is very good guidance in the owners manual on how to do this, the fluid needs to be warm)
What condition is the fluid in, a good indication is the colour, also what does the fluid smell like? (Does it smell burnt) a little yes
Where you towing when the fault developed?No

These auto boxes are Asian and are of fairly good quality, they can also be found on the Ford Galaxy, they do last for a long time, like anything they life spam will be reduced if abused. Has the car done any towing prior to your ownership especialy in warm climates?Not to my knowledge and it does not have a towbar. If so the transmision fluid could be cooked.

You will have to bight the bullet and have the codes read, or ask one of the guys from a reputable transmission specialist to test drive the car and get there opinion. Unfortunately it only goes in reverse.

No comment
In case you did not realise typing in capitols is shouting and typing in red is very angry, it is like writing a letter in red ink should not really be done.

I hope you get it sorted, I drive a auto T5 that has been modded to aprox 270 - 280 bhp with 135k on the clock with origanal auto box and have no problems with it at all. Good luck.

Thank you,you have been most helpful.I have only had the car 3 weeks and indeed tis/was a joy to drive,only time will tell i guess but i have to say from the research i have done the auto box does worry me,and not least because we bought it to tow a caravan amongst it's other duties.And i will be seriously considering converting it to a manual as i said in the original post.I have someone who says he can supply all bits including manual box for around £200.Plus fitting of course.
Again many thanks for your time.Regards Gareth.

[st5ve]

Hi Gareth, glad to be of help. You have someone who says he can supply all bits including manual box for around £200 plus fitting, how much will he charge for fitting? Does the £200 inc vat?
With the auto box price of £1400 did that include the torque convertor?

[st5ve]

Ooops!
Re your reply to my first set of questions; The transmission fluid should not smell burnt, however if it did overheat the box goes into a saftey mode so you can limp home. I will stick my neck on the block and say your problem is not there but would benefit from a change.
Hmm, something has happened with the orange light when you tried cleaning the contacts on the PNP switch, you know it may be worth while trying it a few times more before giving up on it.
Will it select any forward gear, if so what happens when you try to drive it?

[PAZ3154]

i know a chap who has one or two spare autboxes ready to go. all in good condition for around £140 each. he is based near Aberystwyth. If you're interested PM me and i'll give you his number

[5seaterT5]

Originally Posted by ttacornwall

Hi Gareth, glad to be of help. You have someone who says he can supply all bits including manual box for around £200 plus fitting, how much will he charge for fitting? He does'nt fit but i have a few other options on the fitting. Does the £200 inc vat? No vat
With the auto box price of £1400 did that include the torque convertor?Not sure but i think so seemed a tad over the top to me to then only guarentee it for 12000 miles?

[5seaterT5]

Originally Posted by ttacornwall

Ooops!
Re your reply to my first set of questions; The transmission fluid should not smell burnt, however if it did overheat the box goes into a saftey mode so you can limp home.No forward drive at all and as we stopped there were some pretty ominous noises like something breaking up maybe in box? I will stick my neck on the block and say your problem is not there but would benefit from a change.The fluid??? yea did that no change.Hmm, something has happened with the orange light when you tried cleaning the contacts on the PNP switch, you know it may be worth while trying it a few times more before giving up on it.
Will it select any forward gear, if so what happens when you try to drive it?No no forward drive at all and the ominous noises seem to have all but stopped,something finally broken all together?

[5seaterT5]

Originally Posted by PAZ3154

i know a chap who has one or two spare autboxes ready to go. all in good condition for around £140 each. he is based near Aberystwyth. If you're interested PM me and i'll give you his number

Thank you is his name Ian by any chance? Spoke to a guy yesterday from west wales.

[5seaterT5]

Well i finally bit the bullet (a very very large calibre expensive one) and put it into ahem er um an expert in west london that was recomended to me,was initially told it would be done by 6/7th of november then the 8th then went to collect it on friday the 9th after a test drive of bout 5/6 miles it was returned to them with the orange arrow light flashing and they are trying again to get it right againnnnnnnnnnn.
Seems the internals were very ill and yes the bill is frightening.But to sum up one is less than happy with the whole thing from 3 weeks in till now.I have a toyota with over 300,000 miles on the box and still going strong.And i am told the both boxes are made by the same manufacturer? Maybe i just bin unlucky?????????????????????????????????????

[st5ve]

Sorry to hear that, keep us posted on what happens.

[5seaterT5]

Originally Posted by ttacornwall

Sorry to hear that, keep us posted on what happens.

Well today the T5 has come home it's taken a while and a pretty frighteningly nasty bill ,but i have it back.So far done about 40 miles with no trouble,i have to say my faith in the car is at a fairly low point,it would seem as far as the gearbox guy is concerned it was almost certainly the gearbox ECU going wrong that caused the gearbox to go quite dramatically,he says it suffered a substantial loss of oil pressure due to duff info it was getting of ECU.Dry joints n such by all accounts.Dam car gave me no warning at all.We now have rebuilt box and refurbished ECU.I wont name the garage at this point but if as and when the car reinstalls my faith in it.Then fair enough i will pass on their details etc.Gareth.

P.S. I for one would NEVER buy another front wheel drive auto,especially one with as many horses.A manual maybe an auto,no wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy.