Citroen Xsara - Recurring Gearbox Warning Problem

[monte the bear]

Hello there, hoping we may come across some Citoren gearbox / electrical magicians who can help us get to the bottom of a recurring issue we have with a Xsara's warning lights. In brief

The car is an 03 plate Xsara N7 1600 Auto 16V Estate with crica 75k miles on the clock.

The problem is that when we are driving, the two gearbox warning lights come up on the dash intermittently. We turn off the road, turn the car off, turn the car back on and away we go again with the issue / lights cleared. It happens once or twice a week, regardless of whether the car is 'cold' or warmed up.

What we do notice is that it seems to happen most when the car is in a lowish gear and we travel up an incline. It seems like when the auto box needs to maybe drop a gear, the warning lights come on. At the same stretch of road with a slight incline, it's done it to me 3 times in 3 weeks.

Our local garage is quoting a new gearbox controller at an astronomical price (circa 1200 quid). Is there anybody who has seen this issue and has an idea on rectification? Free dog biscuit to those who can assist.

Rgds

MtB

[Hell Razor5543]

I seem to recall that somebody had an issue with an auto-box that wasn't changing gear properly. It turned out the car had mis-matched tyres of differing sizes that confused the speed sensing, which lead to the gearbox locking up.

Where are you based? It may be that a Lexia session will help to narrow down the problem, and there are members dotted around with Lexias who are willing to help. There is a list of them here;

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... 19&t=29178" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Welcome aboard the Forum, by the way.

[monte the bear]

Checked the tyre sizes out - all 195/55 R15's but all made by different manufacturers. Would you know Andy F's contact details?

[addo]

Pressure regulation solenoid, converter lock-up solenoid, power flush if you can and refill with LT71141 transmission fluid specifically. Should be good for well under half your quote.

[Hell Razor5543]

If you click on the 'new messages' tab at the top of the page, followed by 'compose message', then in the little box next to the option 'find member' type Andy F and click on add, it will add him to the recipients list. You can then compose the message in the way you would for an e-mail.

[Mandrake]

Step 1 is to get the fault codes read on a Lexia - all else is speculation until then as there are a number of different possible faults that would cause the warning lights to flash on the dashboard.

Did the garage suggest a new ECU without even reading the fault codes ? The ECU's for these gearboxes are very reliable in general, its far more likely to be an electrical/mechanical/hydraulic problem in the gearbox itself not the ECU...

[Andy F]

Hi pm sent

Andy

[monte the bear]

Well, just had the car read by Lexia software - many thanks to Andy for his patience and time!

The faults have been read as follows.

1. Pressure Regulation (difference / setting)
2. Multifunction Switch Signal (MFS) - Position inconsistent
3. CAN Engine Torque - no signal

Can anyone decipher these and let me know what the problem and fix is?

[addo]

The first one is your pressure reg solenoid failing, the second is either a sloppy shift assembly or dirty/worn contacts in the multiway switch atop the transmission (or misadjusted switch if someone's been inside the gearbox before). The CAN signal - that will come from the TCU which is the gearbox's computer. I can't tell you which pin it is, but you probably just have intermittent conduction through a multiplug in the harnesses.

[monte the bear]

Thanks very much - any idea at a cost for these repairs? Given it's an 03 reg with near on 80k miles on the clock, would the expense of repair outweigh the value of the car?

[Andy F]

Hi Dave,

Checking multi plug connections is free and easy so a good place to start. Maybe some good quality contact cleaner will do the trick.

Not sure about the pressure reg solenoid, never owned or had any dealings with automatics before

Nice to meet you on Sunday

Andy

[Andy F]

Hi,

A bit of digging on the web has come up with this, thought it may be of help to you

http://www.peugeotlogic.com/workshop/ws ... lenoid.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Andy

[monte the bear]

Cheers Andy, we'll take it to an independent loaded with all information.