New member - new Galaxy Mk2

[Telly Addict]

Hi all,

New member here.  Just bought a 2003 TDI 115 auto Ghia on Wed and after fixing a detached starter solenoid connection, drove it up from Chester to North of Scotland.  About 450 miles and the drive was lovely, I'm really impressed with the car and already like it a lot.  Parked her up and haven't touched her since (have a 2000 Sharan tdi manual 195k).

Now I'd planned to service her today on my day off and nipped down to Halfrauds in the Sharan to get the good stuff; decent oil, oil filter, engine flush, diesel magic, air filter, fuel filter, wipers etc.  Got back home and proceeded to warm up the Gal in prep for oil change.  We live out in the sticks and have a very long private road leading up to our property, so to speed up the warming up process I took her for a quick spin.  I noticed after a few minutes, while going down a steep hill that the Gal changed down to 1st gear and wouldn't change up to any other gear.  Got to the bottom of the hill and parked up.  Switched off then back on, reversed 3 point turn then back up the hill with no issues.  A few minutes later back at our property, slowed down for a sharp bend and stuck in 1st gear again...

Put her up on ramps, did the engine flush, oil and filter change.  Then decide to check the transmission level by removing the check plug (not the drain plug).  Now I've no idea what temp the oil was at, warm I'd estimate, but loads came out - about 2 litres I'd say.  The car wasn't level as it was on large ramps, but even still.  Oh and the oil stank and looked brown.

Any thoughts?  Do I now have a dodgy shift solenoid?  Would doing a complete drain and refill help?  I've got some Dextron III on the way.

Anyway, this looks like a great site and look forward to contributing once I've done a few jobs

Cameron

[Telly Addict]

On reflection, it may have been more like 1 litre of ATF that came out and just for additional clarification it was light brown.

[Mirez]

Hello and welcome!

I suspect you have the start of a failing N98 valve, something I've just replaced myself and am in the middle of writing up the how-to.

Oil wise, firstly the level is towards the rear so you need it on the flat as you've probably drained out more then you should. Secondly, you need the engine running when you do the check as the transmission oil pump needs to be loaded. All in all - refill!

[Telly Addict]

Ah cool!  That's very fortuitous timing   Looking forward to the how-2!  Where did you get the solenoid?

Yeah, I suspected that I'd perhaps allowed too much to come out and haven't used her since.  Once the Dextron III arrives next week, I'll drain and refill.  Thinking about changing the filter as well...

[Mirez]

Its out, finished today:
https://www.fordmpv.com/smf2/wip-board/ford-galaxy-09a-automatic-gearbox-failure-to-upshift-when-cold/

I grabbed mine from ebay usa, sadly it appears VERY difficult to source them in the UK for a reasonable price:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261663531608

[Telly Addict]

Awesome thank you!  Have ordered the solenoids so once they get here, I'll give your how-2 a go. 

[Telly Addict]

Solonoids arrived and following your guide managed the job fine a couple of weeks ago. Took about 6 hours in total taking my time.

Result: fixed gearbox. Very happy.  Cheers!

[Mirez]

Ahh good news and impressive time