2001 1.9tdi Auto not reversing

[TonyMeese]

Hi All,

Hoping for some words of wisdom.

I have a 1.9 tdi 2001 Ford Galaxy Auto and Reverse is not engaging. Forward gears appear to work fine. The shifter goes into R fine and the dash states it is in R, reverse lights come on and it activates the Parking Sensor but on pressing the accelerator pedal the engine revs but does not reverse.

Any ideas on what this might be and how much it might be to fix?

Many thanks in advance

[insanitybeard]

Could be one of several things from dodgy control solenoids in the 'box or a defective valve body through to a mechanical fault. Has the oil in the gearbox been checked for condition/ correct level? There's an article relating to defective solenoids here.

You could if you are able to run some tests with VCDS and check to see if any fault codes have been registered. Has the fault occurred overnight or has it been developing for a while?

[TonyMeese]

Was perfectly fine, no issues with gearbox since we have had it (3 months) been using most days as wife used it to go to work.

No slipping, changes through the gears as smooth as you like when in drive. Just suddenly no reverse.

Supposedly had ATF changed recently according to seller, will see if I can check the level as described in the guide you mention.

[TonyMeese]

Any recommendations for a garage in Weston-super-Mare that other Galaxy owners with auto's have used would be useful as all the ones I have asked seem to spit and choke as soon as I say "Auto"!

[johnnyroper]

i don't know of any in WSM but I have heard Gloucester Road gearboxs in brizzle are decent and they can collect/recover.

[Mirez]

Although the box isnt that unreliable, one of the issues it suffers with is when reverse cant be selected I'm affaid.
Normally its a broken brake band that causes the problem although its also been seen that the reverse piston snaps (its plastic). Typically a piston issue would start as an intermittent issue made worse as it warms up so I'm going to say its 80/90% likely to be the BB having snaped. Its caused by wear and tear although shifting into reverse without fully coming to a stop and not using the handbrake to stop rolling when taking up drive in R are known contributors,