Clio auto gearbox jumping into 1st

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Sun 20 Mar 2005 09:29
Clio auto gearbox jumping into 1st - tomboy
I got a problem with a clio 1.4 auto on a K reg.
It'll drive along fine and then change itself down into 1st gear. As this happens, the lights on the car go dim as if it's lost power and the automatic gearbox light on the dashboard lights up. The battery is obviously iffy as i had to jump start it twice last night just to get it home.
Would a duff battery cause this problem? Would reduced electrical power tell the gearbox to change down into 1st?
Any advice would be greaty appreciated.
Thanks
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Sun 20 Mar 2005 14:36
Clio auto gearbox jumping into 1st - Altea Ego
Its certainly possible, its probably getting very iffy signals back from the engine if you are having electrical problems.

Fist thing I would go for is the battery terminals and the cables, cleaning and checking all the connections and the earth lead between the engine and body. The alternator could be on its way out as well.
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Mon 21 Mar 2005 16:31
Clio auto gearbox jumping into 1st - tomboy
Thanks RF. I?ll check the battery and earth strap. I?ll also check the output from the alternator and see whats that?s doing.
Does anyone know what sends the signal to the auto gearbox to make it change gear ?
Thanks
Tomboy
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Mon 21 Mar 2005 19:50
Clio auto gearbox jumping into 1st - tomboy
just a quick update.
I've just checked the voltage across the battery with the car switched off and i've got 12.5 volts. When i started the car and checked the voltage across the battery, i got 11.91 volts. I would have expected to see about 14.5 volts. The ingnition light is NOT on in the car. Does this look like a duff alternator?
I cant check much else tonight as it's pitch black out there
Tomboy
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