TRANSMISSION PROBLEM

[christian]

Hi, don't know if anyone can help me with my Ford Frieda possible auto transmission problem? This problem 1st occured after driving on the motorway , the gearbox would want to change down from top gear causing the vehicle to rev high. Once we'd stopped for 30mins the problem seemed to have disappeared. When we got home the gearbox oil was checked and needed one and a half litres to top it up. Concerned about any possible damage I had the transmission fluid drained, filter cleaned and then replaced. There were iron filings mixed with sludge at the bottom of the gear box - dont knnow if this is normal. Frieda ran very well for approximately 300 miles on short journeys until the problem re occured. After the car is driven 25 miles it struggles to change up 2nd to 3rd and 4th revving up to 4000 revs and only changing gear if you dip the throttle. Once in top gear it usually stays until you have to change speed then the PROBLEM RE-OCCURS BUT THIS IS INTERMITTANT. THERE ARE NO FLASHING LIGHTS . DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEA?
CHRISTIAN, SOUTH WALES

[dandywarhol]

Don't like the sound of metal in the 'box but the symptoms sound like a dodgy throttle position sensor (TPS) A blink code using a jumper lead at the ECU plug will bring up stored faults. Info in the factsheet

[The Great Pretender]

I had a similar problem that I was convinced was due to the TPS but turned out to be the thimble filter on the inlet of the injector pump.

[christian]

Hi thanks for your replies,The iron filings that were found in the gearbox were black and sludgy and stuck to the magnet at the bottom of the sump pan they weren't clean or shiny i don't think the oil had ever been changed ,i just didn't know how much or if any filings should be found?.I have read quite alot of info about gearbox problems and i think that it dose sound like the TPS. However why would it take approximately 25 miles for the problem to arise?I have bought a new strainer and i intend fitting it and changing the gear oil again as i read that the detergents in the new oil could clean the gearbox and then clog the filter again so that you could be left with the same problem as when you stated.The car had been driving perfectly fine until our return trip from Cornwall and initially i thought the fault had been resolved by topping the gear oil levels up as they were quite low .I am quite desperate to get this problem resolved as i am off to France with the family soon and i don,t want to be left with my five year old ranting and my 10 month baby screaming and me and my Bongo howling at 4000 revs all the way through France.Is there a garage in my area in Swansea that could retrieve the fault codes or should i just try changing the TPS? if so how much are they and where do i get one ?Thanks very much for your help.Christian

[dandywarhol]

Retrieve the codes yourself by following the factsheet (if you're a paid up member) - its just a case of using a piece of wire to "jump between terminals and watching the HOLD light flash a code.

TPS problems are sporadic and can sometimes be temperature dependant - its a fine wire "sweeper" which gives a linear voltage info to the ECU - any specs of dirt inside it can also cause it to be iffy

[Doone]

Is there a garage in my area in Swansea that could retrieve the fault codes or should i just try changing the TPS? if so how much are they and where do i get one ?

Reading the codes is not difficult. And it's worthwhile reading the fault codes because if the problem is a thottle position sensor, the codes will suggest this. There's a factsheet in the members area that explains how to read them.

[christian]

Thank for the info i now have two fault codes 12 and 16 .12 is the TPS and 16 the EGR what next ? Should i replace the TPS ? and is the EGR valve position sensor a major problem?Thanks Christian .

[Alacrity]

Could well be TPS - they can behave strangely at different temps as Dandy says, but equally it could be an engine performance issue as The Great Pretender suggests.

Are you 100% confident that when the problem occurs your engine is behaving correctly? If it is down on power (possibly due to a blocking banjo filter - easy to sort & something that needs doing anyway) then it will behave exactly as you say. When it is messing around try pulling away at full throttle & hold your foot down to make her rev through to a full throttle upshift, the engine should pull strongly to near the red line on the rev counter before shifting then pull strongly again in 2nd gear to the 2-3 shift. It it struggles to or doesn't reach the full throttle upshift point then you engine has power issues & that could well be your problem.

If your hold light wasn't flashing when you are getting the problem then the codes you have got out will be historic & not for your current problem. Clear them down & read again after you have experienced the problem again.

[dandywarhol]

A TPS fault won't necessarily show as a flashing hold light indication.

I'd leave the EGR "fault" - its possible the EGR has been bypassed sometime in the vehicle's life so it'll keep showing as a potential fault - don't worry about it - as Alacrity says, clear the codes, drive it again and retest - if 12 comes up then the TPS or wires to and from are at fault

[christian]

Hi thanks for all the info how do i clear the codes ?.also the engine runs well no loss of power .i had a drive today and it ran fine in all gears at all speeds up to 60 mph.Christian

[dandywarhol]

From memory you disconnect the battery and apply the brake pedal for a few seconds to clear the codes