Auto gear box is this normal?

May 5th, 2004, 05:41

When the engine is cold and I drive away the car stays in the same gear for longer than when warm. Can anyone confirm if this is normal behaviour?

I read somewhere that having too much oil in the gear box may cause this?

May 5th, 2004, 15:31

Unfortunately not :-(

The symptom you describe is due to the valve box sticking inside the autobox.

You may be lucky on changing the autobox fluid & Filter and fitting Lubeguard at the same time. Incidentally, when was the last time the fluid was changed? It's meant to be changed every 30k but doesn't always happen. Check the condition of the fluid as it should be nice and pink, Brown or other and you've got problems. Also check for smell, does it smell burnt or "almondy" again problems looming:-(

The valve box should cost in the region of £4-500 pounds to remove and overhaul but please! Bear in mind this is only to open and repair the valve box, if there's anything else i.e clutch plates/pack required or seals, then this WILL add value to the cost of the repair.

Sawwwwyyy to be the bearer of impending doom:-(

Regards
Dave M

pettaw · May 5th, 2004, 20:51

Hold on there! Are you sure its not an electric thing where the car stays in slightly lower gears to keep the revs up to warm up the box a bit quicker. I'm sure I read that somewhere.

Could be wrong though.

Andy

May 5th, 2004, 21:49

Wouldn't surprise me if that were so but haven't read it but mine is absolutely no different cold or hot.

May 5th, 2004, 22:41

Thanks I will check the colour of the oil tomorrow and get it changed ASAP if necessary. I will post an update on the outcome.

May 5th, 2004, 22:51

>Hold on there! Are you sure its not an electric thing where
>the car stays in slightly lower gears to keep the revs up to
>warm up the box a bit quicker. I'm sure I read that
>somewhere.
>
>Could be wrong though.

I've had use of two auto boxes in recent years (not Volvo, though, a Honda Accord & a Chevy Malibu) - both of these did precisely that. So fingers crossed for you that this is what's going on!

May 6th, 2004, 18:22

The Gear box oil looks sort of pink hard to tell onthe yellow dip stick! Not bright pink though.

May 5th, 2004, 05:41	#1
Nick__allen Guest Location:	Auto gear box is this normal? When the engine is cold and I drive away the car stays in the same gear for longer than when warm. Can anyone confirm if this is normal behaviour? I read somewhere that having too much oil in the gear box may cause this?

May 5th, 2004, 15:31	#2
Dave M Guest Location:	RE: Auto gear box is this normal? Unfortunately not :-( The symptom you describe is due to the valve box sticking inside the autobox. You may be lucky on changing the autobox fluid & Filter and fitting Lubeguard at the same time. Incidentally, when was the last time the fluid was changed? It's meant to be changed every 30k but doesn't always happen. Check the condition of the fluid as it should be nice and pink, Brown or other and you've got problems. Also check for smell, does it smell burnt or "almondy" again problems looming:-( The valve box should cost in the region of £4-500 pounds to remove and overhaul but please! Bear in mind this is only to open and repair the valve box, if there's anything else i.e clutch plates/pack required or seals, then this WILL add value to the cost of the repair. Sawwwwyyy to be the bearer of impending doom:-( Regards Dave M

May 5th, 2004, 20:51	#3
pettaw Forum Support Team Last Online: Jul 23rd, 2023 15:29 Join Date: Jan 1970 Location: Glasgow, London	RE: Auto gear box is this normal? Hold on there! Are you sure its not an electric thing where the car stays in slightly lower gears to keep the revs up to warm up the box a bit quicker. I'm sure I read that somewhere. Could be wrong though. Andy

May 5th, 2004, 21:49	#4
Garfield Guest Location:	RE: Auto gear box is this normal? Wouldn't surprise me if that were so but haven't read it but mine is absolutely no different cold or hot.

May 5th, 2004, 22:41	#5
Nick__allen Guest Location:	RE: Auto gear box is this normal? Thanks I will check the colour of the oil tomorrow and get it changed ASAP if necessary. I will post an update on the outcome.

May 5th, 2004, 22:51	#6
Swoosh Guest Location:	RE: Auto gear box is this normal? >Hold on there! Are you sure its not an electric thing where >the car stays in slightly lower gears to keep the revs up to >warm up the box a bit quicker. I'm sure I read that >somewhere. > >Could be wrong though. I've had use of two auto boxes in recent years (not Volvo, though, a Honda Accord & a Chevy Malibu) - both of these did precisely that. So fingers crossed for you that this is what's going on!

May 6th, 2004, 18:22	#7
Nick__allen Guest Location:	RE: Auto gear box is this normal? The Gear box oil looks sort of pink hard to tell onthe yellow dip stick! Not bright pink though.

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