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Peugeot 508 GT 2.2 HDI FAP saloon - Automatic gearbox failure at 80,000 miles - Patrick Dixon

Bought car 18 months ago at under 3 years old and 75,000 miles, knowing it was out of warranty but took out Peugeot service plan. Delighted with car until last week when "repair gearbox" warning messages started appearing (but no driving issues), apparently on upchanges from 3rd from 4th. Car is now just 4 years old.

Diagnosed by Peugeot as torque convertor lock-up failure = new valve block @ £1,800 (but with reservations about that definitely being the fault), and claimed there were no known faults on that gearbox. Took to a specialist who I trust, who confirmed probable need for valve block @ £1,200 and recommended torque convertor replacement at same time for another £500. Specialist says this gearbox is a common platform to other models/manufacturers and IS known to be prone to failure.

I think I'm just going to have to swallow the diagnosis and cost, but any views welcomed!

Peugeot 508 GT 2.2 HDI FAP saloon - Automatic gearbox failure at 80,000 miles - Fernando P

I would need a diagnosis from a member of www.fedauto.co.uk , who, in my experience, know all about auto transmissions but perhaps your trusted specialist is one.

Peugeot 508 GT 2.2 HDI FAP saloon - Automatic gearbox failure at 80,000 miles - Patrick Dixon
Thanks. specialist is KSM Autos in Cashalton ksmautos.co.uk who are members of a different trade association from the one you mention. Fault code is P0741 "convertor lock-up impossible". Sadly I have previous experience of this with a Volvo S80 gearbox. It's not my driving!
Peugeot 508 GT 2.2 HDI FAP saloon - Automatic gearbox failure at 80,000 miles - sandy56

I believe that this gearbox is used by a large number of other manufacturers. Search HJ for any other reports, and if there is you could push Peugeot for part compensation.

Peugeot 508 GT 2.2 HDI FAP saloon - Automatic gearbox failure at 80,000 miles - pd

If this is a TF80 (suspect it is) then you can buy new valve blocks on ebay for about £400.

IIRC the "book time" to fit them on most cars is about 2.5 hours plus you'll need some fresh fluid.

Assuming it is just the valve block I would have thought you could get it done for £600 all in with a bit of self sourcing.

The exact same gearbox is used in the 2006-2015 S80 you mention.

Edited by pd on 01/11/2016 at 08:48

Peugeot 508 GT 2.2 HDI FAP saloon - Automatic gearbox failure at 80,000 miles - John F

Bought car 18 months ago at under 3 years old and 75,000 miles, knowing it was out of warranty but took out Peugeot service plan. Delighted with car until last week when "repair gearbox" warning messages started appearing (but no driving issues), apparently on upchanges from 3rd from 4th. Car is now just 4 years old.......

......any views welcomed!

My view is that you have been either unlucky or had it 'serviced' unnecessarily. Aisin is up there with ZF as a maker of first class gearboxes which rarely go wrong....unless someone changes the fluid and disturbs things.

I think the manufacturer advises no routine change of fluid but mechanics with an interest in work creation will often disagree. Obviously no gearbox will last for ever but I have seen opinion from honest autobox specialists that changing the fluid can be followed by problems a few thousand miles later. Unless 75,000m have been towing a large caravan around the Lake District your undisturbed box should still be in perfect working order. If your Peugeot garage has countermanded Aisin's advice to leave well alone you should have a case against them.

Peugeot 508 GT 2.2 HDI FAP saloon - Automatic gearbox failure at 80,000 miles - Patrick Dixon

Thanks for the replies. To be fair the first Volvo S80 gearbox failure was at 120,00 miles and nearly 10 years old, the second was at 78,000 miles and 7 years old. So this one at 80,000 miles and just 4 years old does feel very unlucky! None of the cars including this one had the transmission fluid changed; the dealer I bought the Volvo that failed at 78,000 miles tried doing that when it started playing up and it made no difference. It's interesting how some people say Aisin are are problem, others not; some people say change the fluid to avoid having a problem, others to leave well alone.

Peugeot 508 GT 2.2 HDI FAP saloon - Automatic gearbox failure at 80,000 miles - pd

There were certainly a lot of problems with the 6-speed units between 2006 and about mid-2008. There is actually a Volvo service bulletin knocking around somewhere.

There was an issue with the valve bodies failing early and the same fault seems to crop up in other cars using the gearbox. No amount of fluid changes will make any difference.

Later units seem more reliable so you've been very unlucky to see a recent one go at 80k miles.