[fizgig]

HELP, my Saab dealer is at a loss. Car 7 years old, 80,000 miles, regularly serviced (ahead of schedule) mostly gently driven.
I have developed a shuddering and failure to change from 3rd to 4th gear if accelerating gently especially up a slight incline. Does not seem to happen if I put my foot down or if I change gear manually.
Also I,ve twice been unable to engage reverse, the gear lever is correctly in position but the engine just revs up and reverse gear is not engaged. Cleared immediately once by just trying again. The other time I had to leave the car & it worked OK next morning. All fluid levels OK & clean. No leaks.
Garage mechanics (whoops sorry they are now called technicians) look blank & mumble perhaps it's the gear box.
ANY SUGGESTIONS PLEASE?

 

[1989agoodvintage]

Not an Auto expert, but does it have Traction Control. If so it could possibly be the kickdown motor is playing up, as the Auto's with TCS operate a fully electronic throttle system.

Someone help me out here ...

 

[Harvey]

I have an auto, but am not an expert on them either ( who is? ).
I suggest that a change of fluid and filter clean would be a good thing to start with. There is a system which flushes through the fluid and changes all, or most of it, previously discussed here. Normal drain and change replaces less than half I think.
If you are a diy 'er, the amount of dirt in the filter may give some hint.
There are many valves / solenoids in the auto. and dirt can cause sticking.
Have you had the car for a while and this has suddenly started, or is it quite new to you?
When troubleshooting a friends VW Golf auto problem I had a 'Haynes' which had a diagnostic test procedure, including a 'stall test'which was very useful. There isn't anything like it in the Haynes for the Saab. Maybe worth finding a good auto specialist rather than a Saab specialist.
Can't help ne'more.

Harvey

 

[Paul D]

Valentine,

Welcome to the board and happy Saabing

especially once you get the autobox problem fixed.

I don't know much about the auto box, but have a 2L Eco with Auto. The later models (94 -->) are normally good for 200K miles, according to Saab technicians/enthusiasts I have spoken with.

My autobox has always had a slight problem when engine/gearbox oil cold (e.g. from start), whereby, when changing from 3rd to 4th, the revs rise too high and 4th doesn't engage as quick as it should, but ownly when accellerating gently. As soon as a few miles have elapsed and gearbox oil is warm, the problem goes. My gearbox oil has been changed per schedule, and the problem obviously relates to the hydraulic valve malfunctioning prior to oil reaching correct running viscosity/temp. (I assume thsi will get better as the valve wears/frees up.. after all the gearbox has only done 115kmiles on my car and is still running in)

The autobox is controlled by hydraulic valves which work of pressure from the torque converter.

Regarding your problem, I would likewise recommend fully flushing the oil (a normal change only replaces some 4 to 6 out of the 8 litres of oil in the box). You will need to go to a Gearbox specialist (or other garage) who has a flushing system, whereby they feed fresh oil into the box as the old is pumped out with the engine running, and selector lever in Drive or Park (so torque converter is rotating).

The gearbox specialist (with the flushing kit) will be able to give you further advice.