EF Transmission Clunk

[Paxton]

Hi Guys,

My EF isn't getting used anywhere as much as it was. It is enjoying a quiet retirement while I spend some time and money on it, getting things that need work fixed. The first point of attack is the transmission.

When accelerating, it has a tendency to Rev up in first, then you get a slight pause, then a jolt through the car, and then second gear. Second to Third is similar, but not as bad, as is third to 4th. I've always thought something was lose in the back end, as it doesn't do it every time. That being said, I used it today in peak hour, and it wasn't fun - it's getting to the stage where I couldn't get back to my ZF'd BF quick enough.

The car itself (and the Auto) have done 242,000 Kms, most of which were on the highway. Oil in the box is about 12 months old, and bang in the middle for level, according to the dipstick (yes, I have one!).

Any ideas on what could be wrong with the 'box? I love the car to bits, and am probably only using it twice a week, but I'd rather not have my fillings shaken out when it changes gears.

[Road_Warrior]

Sounds like a sticky shift solenoid or band adjustment wasnt done at the last trans service.

[Paxton]

Sounds like a sticky shift solenoid or band adjustment wasnt done at the last trans service.

Cool. At least it isn't anything major. I'll book it in to get looked at after Easter.

My searching lead me to believe it was the S5, so hopefully that's all it is.

[Stav]

It sounds very much like an inhibitor switch which sits on the outside of the box. Id recommend changing this first.

[vegabass]

It could be the bands are too warn and apparently that can make it clunk pretty bad. Apparently at some point it will just let go. It wont do massive damage but with plenty of these transmissions about its probably cheaper just to put another one in than dicking about with service shops.

It was cheaper for me to do a 5sp conversion than have a trans shop look at and repair my auto. I did my conversion for $200.

[Paxton]

I'm almost tempted to do a T5 conversion to it. It is just all the mucking around with the Manual 'Box, and getting rid of the Auto one that is the problem. If I knew a half competent mechanic, that didn't cost an arm and a leg, I would just wait for the 4 Speed to fail, and go for it.

[vegabass]

its very simple. Get a J3 chip and load a stock manual tune to it. TI Performance has many stock manual tunes. Get a Mal Wood pin kit. This pin can be fitted in a matter of mins with no removal of the dash what so ever. The rest is remove the auto, put t5 in and done.

The trick to all this is the J3 and the pin kit.

[Paxton]

its very simple. Get a J3 chip and load a stock manual tune to it. TI Performance has many stock manual tunes. Get a Mal Wood pin kit. This pin can be fitted in a matter of mins with no removal of the dash what so ever. The rest is remove the auto, put t5 in and done.

The trick to all this is the J3 and the pin kit.

You're talking about a Generic Tickford tune, yes? Or does the Tickford computer still do the engine part, just not the transmission?

Edit: Interesting. I've got some time off later in the year, so if the Transmission makes it to July, I'll have to think about it seriously. It isn't a daily driver any more, so maybe I should be allowed to enjoy it.