Vectra 3.2v6 Auto 2003 BIG ISSUE

[markw]

I have just had a complete Autobox rebuild as water had got into the gearbox through the oil cooler (common fault) the vehicle has had a new oil cooler this is no longer a problem. Also had 2 new speed sensors 1 year ago.

It has been rebuilt by a specalist at a great expense however I experenced after a few miles harsh gear changes where it thumped through the gears. The car at times did go into limp mode where it only had 2nd and 5th gear. After turning the car off and leaving it for half hour or so it was restarted and the problems seem to correct itself but temporarily. The car went back to the garage where it was put onto the computer and several faults registered. It was then taken to the local vauxhall dealer who updated the software on the ecu. However this made no difference so the garage that carried out the rebuild then consulted ECU specialists/Auto electrician. He was told that this may be a bad earth as these vehicles suffer from this. Again this did not solve the problem. When the car is first started it drives perfectly for a very short period. These are the various fault codes reported while plugged into the computer.
PO733 - Gear 3 incorrect ratio
PO732 - Gear 2 incorrect ratio
PO758 - Shift solanoid valve 3 circuit high imput
At oil temp 298 degrees F / 147 degrees C when cold. Temp raises with throttle posistion
Select manual only 2nd & 5th on display/auto also only selects 2nd & 5th and is as though slipping clutch pulling away/ no drive due to being in wrong gear.
Heavy engagement from park to drive or nuetral to drive
Nuetral to reverse or Park to reverse are normal.
Have been told this could have nothing to do with the gearbox or mechanics but could be a totally seperate electrical issue throwing everything into safe mode
Any advice or solutions greatly apprciated.

[nickm]

Hi Mark,

Not able to answer your question, however I have a question.

Has the car been serviced through the dealer network ?

Only ask, because if it has, I was under the impression that they would have carried out a modification to stop this from happening ??!!


Regards

Nick

[poves]

That sounds like mine , lumpy changes and selection , together with loss of drive.
Your box sounds fubar to me mate , sorry .

[bigcarman79]

This sounds like a shoddy rebuild to me, and the gearbox specialist is trying to cover his own back.

The incorrect ratio fault codes is probably due to the brake band settings being wrong in the gearbox, this could cause many issues. 2nd and 5th gears only, is limp home mode therefore you can expect a 'slipping' effect when pulling away as its working hard to get you going!

Heavy engagement: is this ALWAYS the case? Mine does this occasionaly so put it down to the design of the gearbox (not a very good one).

Just one more thing, start engine, put in D. Does it engage neutral automaticaly after a few seconds when foot on brake?

[Celes]

Our 2.2DTI did that...
Sorry to report, but only a new factory rebuilt gearbox from Japan solved the problems.

[markw]

hi bigcarman79
Thanks for your reply.I have spoken to the guy who rebuilt the gearbox and he tells me there are 3 different gearboxes used in this car and the bands in mine are pistons and look to be unadjustable.I have what is termed as the saturn application gearbox.When gear change occurs it is a violent bang into gear rather than a slightly inperfect one, however first thing in the morning it can drive just fine for a couple of minutes.
I started the car and put it into drive and kept my foot on the brake as you suggested and the car did not engage neutral automatically.If you can throw anymore light on this it will be greatly appreciated.Main dealer has suggested ECU could be the problem.
Many thanks for your response

[poves]

Hopefully it "may" be fixable , but I speak from experience - mine didn't seem that bad - but my god - there were teeth floating around all the bands when it got stripped.
Just don't get your hopes up mate , then anything else is a bonus .

[bigcarman79]

Our 2.2DTI did that...
Sorry to report, but only a new factory rebuilt gearbox from Japan solved the problems.

Not true, my gearbox was so shot it would only engage 5th most of the time, (2nd and 5th about 5% of the time). I did NOT have the water ingress issue, a totally seperate fault which basically cooked the gearbox (as of which occured on the Volvo S80's). A good competent gearbox specialist can rebuild them....though they are a pig to rebuild and getting them to work properly again is a nightmare, but do-able.
I had to send mine back shortly after my rebuild due to sensor failures but got sorted........2 years down the line(and just out of warrenty) all seems fine. (touches wood!).

As for brake bands, All auto boxes have some adjustment, its not all done electronicly.

[markd3925]

i would try replacing the input and ouput sensors again, i have replaced them in under a year before, water in the box isnt gonna do them any good

[markw]

thanks guys ill pass the info on