306 1.8LX Auto

Duncs · Unread post by **Duncs** » 01 Apr 2005, 03:35

Just bought a 1998 1.8LX Auto. It's perfectly OK round town and on short journeys, but after a long blast down the motorway, then off on to an A road, it starts juddering and lacks power, the auto box becomes erratic and the orange ECU warning lamp comes on, then clears, and comes on again repeatedly. Also the car will crawl forward in neutral. Leave overnight and all OK again in the morning.
This is my first pug (and automatic) so any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

PowerLee · Unread post by **PowerLee** » 01 Apr 2005, 04:33

Hi
Firstly, Have you checked the oil level in the autobox?
You should find a dipstick for the gearbox under the bonnet, Do you have the handbook for the car?
Normally the level is checked when warm, Park up with the handbrake on & leave the engine running.
Put your foot on the brake pedal & hold it there.
Move the gear lever through all the gears slowly & back to park, Repeat this again.
Make sure its in PARK & get out & check the level with the engine still running, The fluid should be a nice cherry red colour.
If its low on the dipstick top it up with the CORRECT grade of ATF fluid, Look it up in the handbook or ask at the counter.
Theres a few different kinds of ATF fluids & putting the wrong one in wont do your autobox much good!

Duncs · Unread post by **Duncs** » 01 Apr 2005, 04:40

Yes I've got a handbook for it and I've just bought a Haynes manual. I'll check the fluid level tomorrow. If it was low would it cause the ecu warning lamp to come on?
Many thanks

PowerLee · Unread post by **PowerLee** » 01 Apr 2005, 04:55

No idea if the level being low would stick the warning light on, I know the engine & autobox ECUs are connected to each other so it could do.
Check the autobox oil level first, If the levels ok then it might pay to get the ECU fault codes read by a garage with the correct software & see whats stored in the memory

Duncs · Unread post by **Duncs** » 01 Apr 2005, 05:00

Thanks for your help. I'll let you know how I get on.

Duncs · Unread post by **Duncs** » 01 Apr 2005, 17:22

Checked fluid level and OK (and <font color="red">colour</font id="red"> OK). Car gone back to garage for fixing.