Can anyone help? C5 HDI X7 Auto gearbox hesitating!

[ken.chapman]

I hope once again you all can help as you've done so successfully in the past!?!

My latest problem with a 58 plate C5 HDi Exclusive Auto? Car works ok to 4th gear but then occasionally hesitates to change up to 5th and 6th - I have to manually shift. Changing down is faultless and 1st to 4th is too, just 4 to 5 and 5 to 6!

Any immediate ideas anyone?

[qprdude]

Probably doesn't make a difference, but it would be a good idea to mention what engine your gearbox is fitted to. HDI comes in a few guises.

I heard a story on here about tyre size buggering up auto changing, but if you haven't changed tyre sizes then it wouldn't be that.

[Sloppysod]

Ken...You are not alone..
My car is the same....with light throttle pressure, changing up the box is super smooth, actually I have notice with light throttle position it will get into 5th below 40 mph and 6th soon after, but start giving it a little more right foot, and 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th......................................... no 5th and 6th unless you trip it manually into the higher gears, not automatically unless you hang it out until close to the red line, which I really avoid doing, it's diesel after all!!
I have had the software updated but still the problem exists , the dealer explained it away saying the car needed to learn my style of driving as it is an 'adaptive automatic' I believed this as it was mentioned elsewhere on the web, I now think YES the box is adaptive but basically chooses between, a number of modes like gentle, aggressive and somewhere in between and possibly a towing mode somewhere.
I do not know for sure, but old auto boxes you could adjust the 'kick-down' positions, can you do the same with this box?

Sorry for the ramble and not giving you an answer, other than saying you problem is not just your car. Hopefully, someone who knows more will be able to help us both.

Engine - DW10CTED4 FAP TURBO DIESEL
Gearbox - BVA AM6C1

[Stickyfinger]

Adaptive boxes are like that.
Best trained with a very constant "style" for a week, I have retrained mine twice now. Once after getting it and recently after gearbox work and a software update when I was convinced it needed to go back to them....but I persisted with it and prayed, it's lovely again now.

Oh, and Don't forget to check the "Sports button" is not active, easy to miss it on this dash. For me I never use it, always the flick stick if I wish to push it.

[lexi]

I have had 3 auto adaptive boxes. They were 2 ZF and one Aisin, 5 speeds mind you.
Even with my slow and fast driving moods, they never refused to change a gear.

[vborovic]

I'm following the similar topics with interest since a while ago ... I've noticed some hesitancy from my car, while in 6th gear (AT transmission), when the car gets a short judder, like it can't decide whether to go to 5th or not (motorway, 80 mph, not on cruise control, but steady on the gas pedal) ... not worrying, but if it is an opening act to some more extreme symptoms, I'd like to be prepared ...

[Stickyfinger]

Open questions then >....

? who has had their oil changed in the Auto Box ?
? what miles/KM has it done ?

[vborovic]

I did a partial oil change (4 liters I believe) on mine ... the difference could be felt immediately, more smooth shifting, etc ... the oil was done approx. 120.000 km, now I'm at 137.000 km

[Sloppysod]

I drive mine most of the time with a light right foot, as I keep an eye on the fuel consumption (Avg 40 mpg, best on a run 45 mpg). so sure it must have learnt buy now? or does it need longer distances at a steady throttle as my typical distance is only about 14 miles from cold?

The car has only done 37,000 miles (59,000 Km), so I do not think an oil change is required yet, perhaps when the car get to either 80,000 or 6 years I will consider it. Last C5 (2003 Mk1) done 150,000 on same oil and never faltered.

Adaptive boxes are like that.
"but I persisted with it and prayed, it's lovely again now.

How long did it take and what type/length of journeys?

[Stickyfinger]

I have not done any oil changes yet...@104K miles....the oil needed topping up after the recent works, maybe 1ltr only.
As said, I even said "this is not right, it needs to go back", I said it a few times as well......the difference was that obvious, all jerky and not changing up etc as you describe.

14 miles would not even warm up the box , but I would of thought yours should of adapted to your style by now... My journeys have been good 1 1-1/2 hrs each way, so maybe that is the answer ?

@37k miles ?, I cannot think it needs a change at that distance.

[NewcastleFalcon]

My experience of the Aisin Warner 6-speed auto box( otherwise known as TF-80SC (AWF21, AF40-6, AM6, AW6A-EL) ) was a very expensive rebuild at 60,000 miles.

I have since done 93,000 miles on the rebuilt box, and touch wood its still working well.

The standard fluid change process will involves changing 3 ish litres maximum by simply opening the drain plug and refilling to the correct level.
Some transmission specialists will do a flush and fill requiring about 12-15 litres of fresh fluid, replacing more of the fluid within the torque converter as well.

I really should get round to getting a full flush fluid change to give my box the best chance of covering another 100,000 miles.

regards Neil

[vborovic]

Some transmission specialists will do a flush and fill requiring about 12-15 litres of fresh fluid

I think the hot flush can be done with 8-10 liters just fine (per the Citroen specifications)

[Sloppysod]

...........14 miles would not even warm up the box , but I would of thought yours should of adapted to your style by now... My journeys have been good 1 1-1/2 hrs each way, so maybe that is the answer ?.

I think so too, but............. as I said I drive with a light right foot and when I want that little extra could it be getting a little confused, should I just be driving it normally - stuff the mpg? I am off to the lake district next week so I will driving it differently and see what happens.

.@37k miles ?, I cannot think it needs a change at that distance .

- same here!

[lexi]

Sticky and VB.Get the oil out of those boxes.
3 changes over a few hundred miles will see you good for a long while.

Millers make an oil for Aisin boxes that meets JWS 3309 spec. There are deals around on the net or from Millers main depots.

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[vborovic]

I do plan another partial oil change on my next service interval ... 10000 km approximately