Automatic gearbox repair shops

[ScarbSaab]

The MY08 appears to have a developing problem with the auto box. From cold it feels okay, though on occasions it is holding gears a long time. Symptoms usually develop after about 15-20 minutes of driving. It has poor acceleration compared to the other Aero also it seems very rough under heavy load. (My first though was brake binding, but it will happily maintain speed.) I've done a fluid change, but it's made no difference.

I suspect it may be the SLT as someone else described similar symptoms. I've toyed with the idea of getting the solenoids and replacing them myself, but I don't have anywhere to work on the car at the moment and it would be an expensive guess.

Are there any recommendations for autobox diagnosis and repair in Yorkshire? I know there are places down south but a full day trip each time taking both cars makes it unworkable. Has anyone used Automatic Transmissions in Huddersfield?

[carrera]

There's an extensive thread by me on an auto box diagnosis & rebuild of solenoids here

https://www.uksaabs.co.uk/UKS/viewtopic.php?t=199975

I would tend to agree with your diagnosis, though the poor accelereration might be more likely due to an engine problem, rather than gearbox. Do you have Opensid enabled ?

Vibration through the car can also be due to rear discs. Do they have "high" marks, it surprised me when I discovered this recently, after replacing a pair

[ScarbSaab]

Thank you for your follow up. I hadn't seen that thread, I will have a further read. I've read your posts here about cleaning the solenoids, but I'm chicken! I'm up to replacing them, not confident with pulling apart and cleaning.

The poor acceleration only manifests on longer runs. Looking back at the last long journey I did, I suspect it wasn't kicking down fast enough. I intend to do a long run on paddle shift and see how she goes when I select the gear in advance.

I don't have OpenSID - I will look into it.

[carrera]

Have you tried Sport mode. I found that quite transformative

[TomPaine]

Is the throttle body (or vacuum hoses) a possibility? Crank position sensor?

[ScarbSaab]

I am going to swap the CPS since it's relatively cheap and a spare is worth having. Silicone vacuum hoses appear okay. I also considered the throttle body as a cause, but I noticed sometimes there was a long delay before upshift which suggests valve body. I'm going to take it today and try sport mode but I probably won't get chance to push or test it on hills.

I'm tempted to get a replacement valve body and swap it over. Just need to make sure I get the right one! I've seen remanufactured ones for about £120+shipping.

[carrera]

Don't forget that the TCM module adapts to your driving style and the way that the solenoids are currently operating

That price for a valve body looks excellent value 

[ScarbSaab]

Things didn't work out quite as expected. Came out to a flat battery, which is suspicious since it's a Yuasa 80Ah that has been on less than a year and it had good runs last week before sitting for three days. It wouldn't start with the Hilka battery pack - though I've yet to get a car started with that! After I had removed the key there was still a rapid clicking from under the bonnet so maybe something else is awry. I'm charging the battery and will see how it goes over the next few days, but may have to sort something else out first.

[carrera]

The rapid clicking is a sign that the battery is flat. "They all do that sir"

Jump it off from the other car, quickest solution. The battery on the 9000 is getting weak in the cold weather & I've had a 9-5 with a car that started, just. 250 miles later it wouldn't turn over, catastrophic fail

[ScarbSaab]

Thank you for the reply. Unfortunately, my jump leads never came back to me so that wasn't an option. If the battery is failing after less than 12 months I will have to get out the receipt.

I've never known one carry on clicking when the key has been removed from the ignition. I guess there could be a relay somewhere that it's trying to keep open for a while after I've left the car.