2nd gear slipping after atf change

[Samsjunction]

Hi everyone, hope someone out there can help me. I recently brought a 2001 zetec and loved it. Not long after had problems with gear selector in that it wouldn't move. Very kind rac man said it was a small switch which was replaced and all was good again. Not long after I had problems with gearbox and a atf change was recommended. This has been done twice now complete with new filters and gaskets. At first it is good. The first time I had a few issues with all gears after about a week. The second all was ok for a day or two but now having probs with changing up to second gear. It will go but seems to rev then slip in. The first change of atf revealed black oil with a bit if metal sludge on the filter. The second change was incredibly better. Am thinking of a third change of atf but using the ford recommended oil. My mechanic said that the atf he used is perfectly good for flushing out all the old stuff. All others gears are fine. I've heard that it may also need the comp resetting? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated as I really love this car and brought and I have my first grandchild. Hubby wasn't too keem but I persuaded him, so everything x that it can be fixed cheaply 

[insanitybeard]

Hello!

In the absence of any other replies (so far), my thoughts on the issue would be that if the problem improves after the oil is changed for a short while but then worsens again then there's an underlying fault which needs addressing. I'm no specialist in autoboxes I'm afraid, and if the oil used wasn't of the correct specification then it could have some bearing on the problem, though if the mechanic you used is satisfied the oil was up to the job and you trust him then it may be worth looking at other causes first.

Has the car done a lot of miles? Before delving too far it may be worth getting the car plugged in (for diagnostic) to see if any fault codes have been stored by the ECU (you can do this yourself if you feel confident with the correct lead and a laptop), if this reveals nothing then you could try changing the oil again for an oil which is definitely of the correct specification, unfortunately if this still doesn't help then you are probably going to need the help of an auto gearbox specialist to diagnose and repair, if the fault is internal and requiring a gearbox removal and strip to repair (admittedly not all faults require this, some repairs can be done with the gearbox still installed in the vehicle) then the cost is likely to be prohibitively expensive if you are not looking to spend lots of money keeping the vehicle on the road.

[Chrispb]

The Mk1 galaxy uses the VW 01P box so may be cheaper getting your fluid there or check if the fluid you are using is the right spec for your gearbox.
lazy solenoids can also cause slow changes good idea to scan transmission for codes

[insanitybeard]

Perhaps the O.P could confirm which model of Galaxy they have? For a 2001 reg Zetec I'd expect it to be a Mk2.

O.P- A quick aid to identification can be found here.

[marinabrid]

as a fellow automatic owner    i understand the mk2 auto box is filled for life,   why then would the fluid not last the lifetime or a certain milage ?  or have i got it wrong !

[Chrispb]

Perhaps the O.P could confirm which model of Galaxy they have? For a 2001 reg Zetec I'd expect it to be a Mk2.

O.P- A quick aid to identification can be found here.

Um OP mentioned about changing filter which you can only do on the mk1, the filter on a mk2 is buried deep inside the box

[Samsjunction]

Hi thanks so much everyone for your comments. Sorry been away and havnt replied sooner. My galaxy is a 2001 plate 2.3 zetec. It had been running ok then not ok? Am now looking at cheapest atf fluid that is equivalent to the ford stuff to do 3rd change to see what happens then. Strangely tho, after parking it facing downwards on my steep driveway it seems to be better?!!

[Samsjunction]

Hi thanks so much everyone for your comments. Sorry been away and havnt replied sooner. My galaxy is a 2001 plate 2.3 zetec. It had been running ok then not ok? Am now looking at cheapest atf fluid that is equivalent to the ford stuff to do 3rd change to see what happens then. Strangely tho, after parking it facing downwards on my steep driveway it seems to be better?!!

[Chrispb]

Are you sure your checking the fluid level correctly.

[insanitybeard]

as a fellow automatic owner    i understand the mk2 auto box is filled for life,   why then would the fluid not last the lifetime or a certain milage ?  or have i got it wrong !

The manufacturer might not quote a service interval for changing the oil, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't degrade over time/with use. What probably happens is that during testing the gearbox manufacturer/vehicle maker determines that the transmission fluid retains acceptable properties over 'X' operating hours/revolutions/gearchanges (based on an 'averaged' set of driving conditions) before deteriorating to such an extent that it impacts on the operation of the gearbox, from testing they probably then derive that this equals so many miles/years operation which is in excess of the predicted service life of the vehicle. However, as an auto gearbox is still a mechanical/electro-hydraulic unit, it is subject to wear (as the gearbox contains friction clutch plates and meshing gears which can and will wear over time and introduce contaminants and microscopic swarf into the oil), the degree of which will depend on the kind of usage it gets- towing, hard driving, abuse, which to an extent will determine how quickly faults develop, how quickly the components wear and consequently how quickly the oil degrades, and regardless of whether the oil/ATF is still 'in spec', fresh oil is inevitably cleaner (free of contaminants) and has better properties than old stuff, so will be better for the transmission and help it function better/prolong it's life, even if it's only to a minimal degree.

[marinabrid]

thanks for an explanation of it !   i think i will leave well alone as at the moment with 70,000 on all seems well with smooth changes no clonks or jerks, i did read they have to change the fluid a few times at a certain temp,  i wonder though if a normal garage would know and actually do this.

[Samsjunction]

Hi everyone just thought I would give you an iodate on how things are. After two atf changes using a cheap thinner fluid the car did run better for a  few weeks. We then changed again with a ford alternative which was much thicker. It ran like a dream until last week when again started slipping into 2nd gear. I'm hoping to try once more with the thicker ford alternative and see how it goes as I'm sure I've seen somewhere on here that someone had same prob and had to change it four times. If it doesn't last can spmeone suggest if there is anything I can do about the 2nd gear on box without tasking the whole thing out. It's such a great car and I would hate to part with it as once out of second gear it's a lovely car. Thanks x

[Chrispb]

There are a series of solenoids which control the speed of the change may be worth a scan with VCDS to see if any codes are present.
There is also a wiring loom inside the box that connects all the solenoids to the ECU via the external loom.

[Samsjunction]

Thanks for reply, are those options easy to carryout? Would,d you have to take the box out completely to do this?

[SilverBeast]

The VCDS scan can be done with your laptop, free software from the authors and a lead from ebay that costs less than Ã,£10 delivered.

The lead plugs into a socket below your fusebox flap.

[Chrispb]

Thanks for reply, are those options easy to carryout? Would,d you have to take the box out completely to do this?

Access to the solenoids requires removal of the gearbox sump pan and as this is on it's side makes the job more difficult, extreme cleanliness is essential but is doable.

[Mirez]

Where in the south west are you? There are a few of us about who'll scan it for you...