Hi all, my wife has a 1.4 16V P-Reg Auto Corsa. Normally runs fine except that when it changes from 3rd to 4th there is a slight hesitation as it changes (seems to change up really slowly), and occasionally there is a noise that sounds just like a big spring that lasts for about 1 second ( i guess it could be the teeth of the gears "just" touching as it changes or something!!)
Any ideas please people??
With thanks
Carl.
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Further to the above, i have just found that the fault light (sport light) flashes but only when i move the leaver down into 1st, its ok in all the other gears when selected in any order!
Any idea's??
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Sounds like you need to visit the dealer to get that fault light investigated. Unlike the engine ECU, I beleive the gearbox ECU doesn't store fault codes though. So you'll need to be able to repeat the fault for the dealer to trace/.
Whats the mileage? Has the box oil ever been changed?
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Hi Caveman
Its only done 54K.
Not sure if the box oil has been changed before, although the book has lots of dealer stamps(only owned the car since Jan 04).
I did check the oil level (idling when cold) and it did seem a bit high, could this be worth draining to the correct level?
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Hi Carl,
If you you do drain the gearbox oil, it may be worth looking carefully through the dregs - you might find the crunched up remains of a failed part, which may help you, or a repairer in finding the fault.
number_cruncher
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I believe you need to do it idling while hot, otherwise you'll get a false high. My Astra had to be done that way, at least. Does your gearbox have a Sports mode button and a snowflake button?
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I believe you need to do it idling while hot, otherwise you\'ll get a false high.
There should be hot and cold measurements on the dipstick. On one side, cold, and on the other side, hot. If checking when cold, allow the engine to tick over for at least one minute with the gearbox in Park before pulling the dipstick, wiping and redipping to take an accurate reading.
The hot reading, (I believe) should only be used after driving at least 12 miles.
In both cases, always check with the engine running and the selector in Park.
This was the procedure for both my Cavalier auto, and Vectra auto. But best check the handbook if uncertain.
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Thanks for your comments!
I checked my oil level at cold, idling for 1 minute in park, and it seems about a Cm over the max mark!!
I thought that i would therefore drain and refill the gearbox oil to the correct level but couldn't find a drain plug.
Any idea whereabouts it is???
The engine is the X14XE if that helps to select the correct gearbox.
thanks
Carl
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Usually, as the auto gearbox oil filter is changed as a service item when the auto gearbox is drained, and this filter is inside the sump, there may not be a drain plug.
What you do, is to gradually loosen the sump until the oil above the sump leaks out into your collection bowl. Then, you continue to release the sump and withdraw it. This gives you an opportunity to inspect the contents of the sump. Hopefully, you will not find any debris. The filter may also have collected 'evidence'.
So, to do the job, you need;
the ATF
a new sump gasket
a new oil filter
a funnel to fit the dipstick tube
As you will need to open the gearbox via the sump, this is not a job to do in a dusty yard. The hydraulic spool valves in the base of the gearbox run in finely ground valve bores. Getting dust in there would not be advisable!
number_cruncher
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Thanks for the info, I'll do some more investigating !
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I managed to take the car on a long drive to work this morning, and i don't believe it is the gearbox after all, as the noise only seems to come from the front right (sitting in drivers seat).
If i drive at 60mph and use "kick down" just after its changed into 3rd, the springy noise fades out after about 3 seconds (as long as you keep the power on). It will do it everytime i kickdown !!!!
Any other idea's??
I just had the cambelt changed if that helps, and it was fine before that.
Thanks again.
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It could be an engine mount issue allowing things to rock during kickdown. The engine mount may have had to be undone during the cam belt change.
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Very good point !
I'll have a look, thanks.
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Carl,
If it on the right hand side and it makes the noise when you kick down, could it be the spring on the accelerator pedal ? It would only make the noise when you press the accelerator down over a certain amount.
BTW, How do you find the Corsa automatic ? Would you recommend one?
Paul
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Hi Paul
Thanks for your suggestion, however the springy noise is definitly louder than the pedal and you can tell it's coming from outside. I'm conviced its the exhaust mounting, just trying to find the time to look at it...will keep you posted!
Yes, i would definitly recommend the Corsa Auto. Its a great little car with a proper autobox. None of this belt drive malarky.
Cheers
Carl
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