Vz Transmission Issue

[Billy Milton]

Hi guys,


This is my first post I have an SV6 190kw VZ Commodore and need some help getting it going. It's a 2005, with a 5 speed auto transmission. (Also has paddle shifters).


I was away for the weekend and I drove home car was perfectly fine. Later that night I went out to pick up dinner and After stopping with the car still running I noticed a strange sound. when I went to drive again, it wouldn't move - Just reved up. I tried shifting the gearstick down to L but this made no difference. No matter what the car didn't want to go into gear. I only have 4th gear. Parked the car up over Christmas and as of Yesterday I leveled the car on the hoist and checked the fluid level, car was running and in park as stated to do when doing level check. (sealed motor no dipstick) and it was low took about 750mls. I have no idea what is going on with it as when I started it yesterday it was fine then when it heated up and started slipping again.


I've tried searching for an answer on the forums, but all other threads are people who've had slipping issues for a some time before the box finally gave up. In this case, it was sudden.


Note: While I tested it yesterday it shifted with no issues at all. It was all very smooth and pulled really well. It was only after topping up the fluid and letting the car get warm that I couldn’t get it moving again.


Any guidance would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.


Billy

 

[greenacc]

Your fluid is probably so old and thin it has become useless. Has it ever had a transmission service? (Drain and refill?)
Id be doing that straight away and then see if it's better or still not working.
That nonsense about it being a sealed box.... Hahaha that's what they say but you don't have to believe it.

 

[Billy Milton]

Your fluid is probably so old and thin it has become useless. Has it ever had a transmission service? (Drain and refill?)
Id be doing that straight away and then see if it's better or still not working.
That nonsense about it being a sealed box.... Hahaha that's what they say but you don't have to believe it.

It has been replaced in the time I’ve had it but it’s not been used very much either. I’m not sure about the previous owns. I’ll give it a go thank you

 

[Fu Manchu]

That’s about your only option. Sounds more like some internals failing.

A new/repaired/another gearbox might be on the cards soon.

 

[Billy Milton]

That’s about your only option. Sounds more like some internals failing.

A new/repaired/another gearbox might be on the cards soon.

It’s making a strange noise underneath I’m thinking it could possibly be the torque converter with it a cheaper option then a new transmission.

 

[Fu Manchu]

Ultimately, this sort of thing is only going to be resolved by having an auto trans place opening things up for a look.

@greenacc is spot on. To do something yourself you’re limited changing to oil and filter.

Outside of that there’s not much more you can do, it is going to be the job for a transmission place.

 

[mechanic]

Don't panic yet. It might be something as simple as a solenoid fault. These are accessed through the transmission pan.
A transmission specialist will be able to test fluid pressures under different conditions using the right scan tool or a set of gauges.
You could drain the fluid to check for fibres (from a failed clutch) and refill it, but either way, it's a trip to a trans specialist.

Once a transmission stops working a fluid change won't do anything. It's akin to changing the oil in your engine once it's seized.

 

[ant797]

If it only happened after you filled it up i i would be suss about the fluid you put in there was it a new unopened bottle do you have kids maybe they have messed around with it were you in a rush and accidentely grabbed brake fluid instead

 

[Billy Milton]

If it only happened after you filled it up i i would be suss about the fluid you put in there was it a new unopened bottle do you have kids maybe they have messed around with it were you in a rush and accidentely grabbed brake fluid instead

No it happened before I filled it but when I started it after a few days it was fine but one warm it went to **** again. Definitely no kids playing with it and it was definitely the right stuff.
I’ve found a transmission and am picking it up later this afternoon. Thanks everyone for you advice it’s greatly appreciated

 

[ant797]

That strange noise might be the fluid pump