Another Auto Box question!

[JimboF]

Hi guys, we need a little bit of help as we have bought our first Falcon a AU1 '99 and its a great car, comfy and nice when you plant the right foot , only thing is the autobox does not want to select a gear first thing in the morning.

The colder the weather the worse it is, but will go into reverse then try to put it into drive, and its either really slow or it wont engage and you have to try several times. When the car has warmed up its fine all day, its strange.

Looking through this forum, it's possibly low on ATF fluid? When we bought it the seller mentioned it had a slow solenoid in the gear box, but he had replaced the ATF fluid to try to fix this prob (hanging onto first gear) but further reading sounds like he has not fully filled the box with fluid. I am going to ring a Ford dealership and sound them out to what the problem is, but would really appreciate your expertise and knowledge to give me a heads up.

Love driving the car, and be great to fix the prob.
Thanks again guys,
James

[The Monty]

I get the same thing though not often. Ill have to sit there rowing through the gears just to get it to select SOMETHING. Back and forward back and forward than THUMP, it goes in.

[Dark Horse]

Try fluid level first, if its still playing up - solenoids.

[GK]

I had that very issue a few weeks ago. ATF was topped up by 750 mls and all good.

GK

[JimboF]

Nice one fellas, hope its the fluid level!
Cheers

[FGII-XR6]

might be worth geting the transmission serviced at the same time if you don't know the service history these trannys are quite good but servicing is esential

[JimboF]

yeah, that would be a good idea, hopefully nice and reliable

[LOWAU]

My mechanic said if that happens the auto box is on its way. Mine does it a bit in the morning, its more like a slip in gear untill it warms up a bit. Get a service and see how you go.

[Jastel]

If it's not low fluid levels, or a dodgy solenoid then your box probably has a broken o ring somewhere inside
The fluid drains back out overnight and when you start in the morning it has to pump it through all the clutches and bands etc until it will engage
The colder the oil the longer this will take, once car is at normal temperature box will be OK
Take it easy on cold starts until it warms up and she will last for a while yet but eventually it will die.

[robbo_yobbo]

Originally Posted by Jastel

If it's not low fluid levels, or a dodgy solenoid then your box probably has a broken o ring somewhere inside
The fluid drains back out overnight and when you start in the morning it has to pump it through all the clutches and bands etc until it will engage
The colder the oil the longer this will take, once car is at normal temperature box will be OK
Take it easy on cold starts until it warms up and she will last for a while yet but eventually it will die.

and in the mean time START SAVING!! a new trans is expensive, a used trans is expensive, a manual box is expensive, and a re-con is ridiculously expensive!

[EF Futura 07]

Originally Posted by robbo_yobbo

and in the mean time START SAVING!! a new trans is expensive, a used trans is expensive, a manual box is expensive, and a re-con is ridiculously expensive!

yes and to top it off, ITS EXPENSIVE :evil3:

[JimboF]

Great fellas........looks like I am going to be poor.......

[JC]

cheaper to do a manual conversion.