Sprint Auto Box Problems

[Magenta Auto Sprint]

I have finally got my sprint auto running after many year of being off the road and a long restoration.

I have filled the gearbox with the correct ATF but I find that she drives forward and reverses but does not change up, selecting 1, 2 or D still gives forward movement but no change.

i see from the ATSG giude to the BW 65 that the 1-2 and 2-3 plungers may be at fault, can these be removed with the gearbox still in the car?

failing that can the auto box be removed from the car without removing the engine?

many thanks

malcolm

[Mahesh]

My old Citroen XM done that,

Once the transmission fluid went low and was refilled it would not shift beyond 1st gear, reverse was ok.
Took a week of 1st gear driving and more topping up of fluid before it started working again.

Probably does not help in your situation,

[Jon Tilson]

I would do the usual fluid checks and kickdown cable tension and then drive it around a bit as you have nothing to loose.

You may find it frees up.

You can take the box out from underneath or inside even if its an auto but its easier to swing engine and box together
in my book, or do a Robert352 and drop the whole subframe.

Take the converter out with the box to avoid seal damage. It unbolts from the flexiplate.

Jonners

[tony g]

The first thing I'd do is disconnect the kick down cable from the carb end and try again. It would shift up quicker than normal if all was good

Tony

[Toledo Man]

You might need to change the fluid a few more times because there will still be old fluid in the torque coverter which can't be removed by draining the transmission. Try another fluid change and see how it goes. I had a similar problem with mine when it wouldn't change up so I would second Tony's suggestion of disconnecting the kickdown cable before you try another fluid change. Once it has been disconnected try pulling the end of the inner cable and you should hear the kickdown mechanism operate. What was your old fluid like when you drained it? It should give you an idea as to the general condition of the transmission.

Harvey, where are you? (he's our resident autobox guru)

[harvey]

drives forward and reverses but does not change up, selecting 1, 2 or D still gives forward movement but no change.

Is it definitely pulling away in FIRST and not changing up or is it pulling away in another gear?

i see from the ATSG giude to the BW 65 that the 1-2 and 2-3 plungers may be at fault, can these be removed with the gearbox still in the car?

The shift valves can stick, but it's rare as most of the time they're submerged under the fluid. The valve block can be removed with the box still fitted to the car.

As suggested earlier, disconnecting the kickdown cable and driving using very little throttle should make it change up really early. If it doesn't then the cable may be stuck extended but you should get very harsh engagement if that's the case.

[Toledo Man]

The inner cable might be sticking. Try some penetrating fluid of choice down the cable sheath and it should get it moving freely. Don't use too much though!

[Magenta Auto Sprint]

Thanks guys for all the tips and suggestions,

The oil that came out was the usual colour but it has the correct spec fresh oil in now.

the oil level did drop to the point where it wouldn't drive at all, this was after going through the sequence as described in the book, I topped it up to the correct level.

The ferral on the kick down cable is 1.5mm or 1/16th in above the outer case, I will disconnect it and see what happens, I did also try lifting the cable when fitting the throttle linkage and it does move freely.

I have a spare valve body which I took apart this evening, seems quite straight forward, so I may take out the one in the sprint and give it a good clean, the oil in my spare valve body is grey from the band wear.

Many thanks
Malcolm

[harvey]

the oil in my spare valve body is grey from the band wear.

The grey isn't from band (or clutch) wear, that would make the oil brown, it's from worn white metal bearings or aluminium.

[Magenta Auto Sprint]

Just an update on my autobox.

I removed the rear extension housing tonight so that I could inspect the governor. It did appear to be lightly stuck, so it will need a proper clean before re-fitting.

I hope the weekend is nice and sunny so that I can put it all back together.

Malc