AL4 limp home

asav · Post by **asav** » 06 Jul 2009, 18:28

Every now an then, gears go into limp home mode, this happens when i am waiting at redlight and have put gear into P..think it might have happened also when I'v put it in N. usually takes a couple of minutes before it happens...any ideas?

Sid_the_Squid · Post by **Sid_the_Squid** » 06 Jul 2009, 20:40

Hello again asav, sorry to hear you still have this issue, I think your going to have to get a Lexia session to find out what the gearbox is sad about.

Seeing as this happens when your moving the gear selector, are you sure its actually engaging the gear you desire, on the synergy next to the rev counter do you have a row of LED's indicating which gear the selector is in? if so watch this display when moving the selector stick, if you pick a gear, say N does the led next to N light up, or does it flash? if it flashes this means the gearbox can't quite figure out which gear you want, if left like this it will go into limp home mode.

jmd · Post by **jmd** » 07 Jul 2009, 15:04

Have you checked the Gearbox Oil Level, although the AL4 is supposed to be a sealed for life unit, in practice this gearbox benefits from an oil change. Although its impossible to remove all the oil at once, it can be renewed over a period of partial changes.

asav · Post by **asav** » 07 Jul 2009, 16:10

Hi sid/jmd

gear indicator is on the dash..yeap goes into gear fine its just when i put into park for a few minutes when i go to put it into drive it goes to limp...

emptied some of the gear oil out by mistake not too long ago and topped up...might try to change some more

Sid_the_Squid · Post by **Sid_the_Squid** » 07 Jul 2009, 16:43

Sadly I'm out of ideas, your gonna need a Lexia session.

There may be a kind forum member in your area with a Lexia who can assit you, I'd put up a post asking that question. Other than that your in the hands on independants or main stealers

Post by **CitroJim** » 07 Jul 2009, 16:55

Agreed, a Lexia session is now essential.

Citronut in Sussex may be the closest to you with one. Else, as I have said before, although I'm some way off, you're welcome to come and see me by arrangement.

I'd be wary of a Stealer for this unless you know they are familiar with the AL4 gearbox. They may well make a lot of Stealers quake and the point is that even if a Stealer does a diagnostic, unless he understands Auto Adaptive gearboxes he may be none the wiser as the Lexia does not often spell out the problem in words of one syllable; it still needs to be interpreted.

Else, you'll need to see a pukka autobox specialist but then again, one of those is unlikely to have a Lexia. Vicious circle. Back to making a trip to Sussex or North Bucks I guess unless anyone nearer to you has one...

asav · Post by **asav** » 07 Jul 2009, 18:06

thanks...and thanks for the offer again Jim...gonna get me one of those chinese contraptions in a couple of weeks....does the software come with a break down of the fault codes??

another problem...the other day it was difficult to start..not instant as usual and then about 5 mins later as i was about to pull up lost all power...steering etc..restarted fine and hasn't happened since???

Sid_the_Squid · Post by **Sid_the_Squid** » 07 Jul 2009, 19:26

Oh the lexia gives you much more than just fault codes, its an amazing piece of kit

But like Jim says a lot of the time it can be just as cryptic.

asav · Post by **asav** » 07 Jul 2009, 20:44

lexia3...just bought 1...awaiting arrival, bound to get in trouble with it!

Post by **CitroJim** » 07 Jul 2009, 20:49

asav wrote:lexia3...just bought 1...awaiting arrival, bound to get in trouble with it!

Wow!

No fear! The forum is here....

asav · Post by **asav** » 08 Jul 2009, 04:47

CitroJim wrote:
asav wrote:lexia3...just bought 1...awaiting arrival, bound to get in trouble with it!
Wow!

No fear! The forum is here....

Thats of great comfort...and so there will be 1 located in essex for anyone needing its use.