Ideas About Transmission Problem

[Burger]

Just wondering if anyone might have suggestions as to what happened to my VZ SV6 yesterday. As I was driving home from Chrissy celebrations, my transmission stopped selecting gear (auto). I was actually driving at the time, so I had started up ok, but when I stopped at an intersection, the transmission would not select gear. NRMA man suggested gear selector solenoid, but also thought gear splines might have gone. I got no warning lights, tranmission fluid is full and not discoloured & no other obvious issues. NRMA reset the car but had no effect. The only thing that has occurred recently to suggest any issues is once or twice the tranny has held its gear a bit long before changing, but this always occurred on really cold days and I put it down to that as when the engine warmed it stopped.

As I will have to wait till Wednesday for the mechanics to open I was hoping to get an idea as to what might be the problem so I can prepare for pain to my wallet. Any help?

[Jacko84]

am an app mate but cannot comment to much without driving it could be an internal prob let us know how you go

[Burger]

Just to add, started it this evening and it selected drive with no probs. Didnt move it though cause I was scared of it happening again down the road so will have to wait till Wednesday. Great xmas present.

[peterrobo]

You say that the transmission is "full" How do you know that? It's a 5 speed and can only be checked with transmission fluid at operating temperature, engine running and then with the filler plug removed from underneath the vehicle while in a level position. Is that what you have done? Because if not your tranny will take quite a bit more fluid than being checked cold with the engine not running - enough to cause erratic transmission operation.

[Trent L]

You say that the transmission is "full" How do you know that?

That's exactly right. The 5spd auto is a sealed unit with no dip stick, so short of dropping the transmission sump or removing the fill plug, you cannot assess the state of the transmission fluid or its level.

I doubt the NRMA bloke would have done those checks for you.

[Burger]

Sorry that was my misunderstanding with the fluid level. It went to Heartland Holden today and the clutch is slipping so expensive bill for me next week when it's repaired. Thanks for the replys.

[Trent L]

Nothing against Heartland (they do my service work) but on reading through various threads, you might be better off getting a quote from a specialist auto transmission repairer.

Holden do charge a premium for their parts & labour and depending on the Heartland dealership, they probably outsource a lot of that work & add on their margins.

Costs nothing to get another quote ......

[Burger]

Thanks Trent - that is what I wanted to do, but I had the car towed to my regular mechanic on Xmas day only to find out today they're not back till mid next week. So I had to pay for a tow today to get it to Holden and I'll be lucky if I get the car back mid next week without waiting for others to return from holidays - so Heartland have got me at this point - lousy timing.

[Trent L]

Good old Heartland, Castle Hill. You could always take the Service Manager a 6 pack of Fat Yak as a gesture of good will ..... but I don't think it will help too much.

Your right though ..... just poor timing for it to fail now!