Comments on: Falcon Transmission woes

By: John

John — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:05:22 +0000

I have a 1997 NL Fairlane, auto has been serviced every 40k – 50k and has always ran well. In 2010 one day it stayed in third constantly and the auto service diagnosed problem as S4 solonoid which was changed and all was good for a good while. Lately it began to randomly stay in third gear. The auto service guy rechecked it and said all was well, he simply had to cancel the alarm using his plug in tech analysis computer. Also if you stop the engine for 10 seconds and restart the auto will resume normal operation which is smooth and quiet like new. This is what the tech guy said to try – just like rebooting a computer apparently.This behavior is happening once or twice a week and is slightly annoying in traffic when the car “accelerates” so slowly from rest in 3rd gear until it reaches 30 kmh or so. Any one with any ideas or comments.

By: greg

greg — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:06:30 +0000

Hi, I have a AU 1999 ute , There is a problem with the trans, It vibrates through 2-3 not under load and now hard to place in reverse. i am going to drop the pan and service the trans, am i on the right track or will the problem be deeper then this?
Any Ideas anyone?

By: mike sayes

mike sayes — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:16:47 +0000

january 18, 2012 at 8:00 pm i drive a falcon au iii sr 2002 which the auto repeatedly changes down then releases the faster i drive the harder the thump.wont do it when accelerating, could somebody help

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:00:52 +0000

Well I think I have found the right people hear to help me please. I have a 2005 BA Ute and the transmission has started to play up and seems to be stuck in one gear (limp home mode), and the display flashes. When I start up it is fine but when I take off it revs out in first with the display not flashing then jumps into a higher gear and the display flashes. I believe that this may have been created from the amount of water on the roads yesterday, as at times I become a little swamped. Also how far and long should you drive in “limp”mode.

By: transmission builder

transmission builder — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:43:52 +0000

Well im not sure what u can try other than to try find a metal gasket , tell them to order a rear servo gasket out of a new 4 spd , its the same but much better than paper. If u lock it in 1st manually it should leak too as that servo only works when in reverse or in 1st manual. hopefully u can track down a metal gasket …

By: Ryan

Ryan — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 08:34:19 +0000

ive gone through 3 new paper gaskets 2 really proper thin ones and a hand made paper 1

By: transmission builder

transmission builder — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 06:25:44 +0000

Ryan , its not copper its like a grey aluminum metal with a raised rim that compresses down as run in or done up and if we have to remove one whilst building we have to fit a new one as after its been compresses it wont work again. Id say if u have changed the gasket though it must be the case coz a new paper gasket will work fine still.

By: brennan

brennan — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:59:06 +0000

Hi, looking forward to an article on how to DIY service my EA Falcon’s autobox. I know a bit, but a thorough how to would be excellent.

TIA.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 21:15:17 +0000

yes its the star shaped plate the case isnt dented from what i can see but its a country car and has copped a beating every now and then from rough roads (very front x member dented up) are you talkin like a copper gasket?

By: Tim in Perth

Tim in Perth — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 05:38:22 +0000

AU series II 6 cyl utility. Clunked badly from first to second. I dropped the pan, installed a new filter, drained what fluid I could & cleaned the pan. I put it all back together, topped up the fluid until it ran out the filler hole & the clunk went away.

6 months later, on my honeymoon (June 2011), I hit a roo & wiped out the front end. Insurance fixed that & added a new radiator etc. Ute now has little power, if I put my foot down it seems to want to change up then down & really is all over the place. Worse on hills, can clunk badly at times – worse when decelerating. Take it very easy & it is fine.

I topped up the transmission fluid (always TQ95) – thinking the radiator replacement may have drained some fluid – & it hasn’t helped. Car feels very gutless, but very smooth if I go easy on it. Only plays up under load. Help! It has done 405,000km (original tranny & had been fine since day one) Help!