AL4 - 257416 Electro valves

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abdalla
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AL4 - 257416 Electro valves

Post by abdalla »

Hi Guys,

I am new in the Citroen world and I need your help, yesterday I was driving my Xsara N7 car (50Km/h) and suddenly a knock happened and the S ,snow lights start to blink.

I checked the stored faults and found the following message "differential pressure regulator ...etc"

someone told me that I need to change - 257416 Electro valves.

what is the price of this part?
and where can I buy the original part?

Thanks
Best Regards,
addo
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Post by addo »

Yes, the famous "Limp Home Mode" has appeared. I haven't checked the part numbers you have been given, but the electrovalves were a common problem in the form originally supplied.

You can buy the parts off a Citroën or Peugeot dealer - also here. (It is the second item.) Before purchasing from this company, ask for advise on freight cost, as it can sometimes be expensive.

The transmission ECU software should be up to date - check your version number. If not correct, you'll have to download an update.
abdalla
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Post by abdalla »

addo wrote:Yes, the famous "Limp Home Mode" has appeared. I haven't checked the part numbers you have been given, but the electrovalves were a common problem in the form originally supplied.

You can buy the parts off a Citroën or Peugeot dealer - also here. (It is the second item.) Before purchasing from this company, ask for advise on freight cost, as it can sometimes be expensive.

The transmission ECU software should be up to date - check your version number. If not correct, you'll have to download an update.
Thanks for your reply... I want to know why should I install the latest ECU software?

Also I heard about a company called Brog Warner which produce this type of valves, Is it good brand? and do you know the ECU latest version ?

Thanks
wheeler
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Post by wheeler »

If i remember right the modified electrovalves are made by Borg Warner. Citroen say that the latest software must be installed with the new electrovalves, I dont know the exact reason but i assume the valves are made dirrerently with different flow rates etc so i would imagine the older software is incompatable with the new valves. It wil have to go on a Lexia anyway to check the oil level properly & initialise the auto adaptives.
abdalla
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Post by abdalla »

Is this the product you talking about :
http://www.borgwarner.com/products/ts/s ... alve.shtml

Can I use this one instead of the original "257416 Electro valves"

By the way I have Xsara 2002 N7 (Xsara II) with AL4 auto gearbox
wheeler
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Post by wheeler »

They look nothing like the one in that picture.
abdalla
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Post by abdalla »

Hi,

There is a workaround to avoid the Knocking and the flashing, Just warm your car and start moving slowly for about 3-5km, then you can move normally.

What is your opinion about this workaround? Does it has any side effect on the gearbox if I will not change the valves.

thanks
Best Regards,
Sid_the_Squid
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Post by Sid_the_Squid »

Have you changed the gearbox oil recently or at all?
Its a simple place to start but could solve your problem.

Only use the specialist fluid from Esso, do a quick forum search you will find the Citroen part number listed here. The same oil is also available from Peugeot and BMW dealers.
Gone to the dark side.

Past Citroens
'99 Xantia HDi Exclusive
'99 Xantia 3.0 V6 Exclusive (Green Goblin)
'02 C5 Hdi 110 LX Estate
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'00 Xantia Hdi (110) forte
'97 Xantia 1.9D sx
'93 Xantia 1.9D lx (my first) R.I.P
abdalla
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Post by abdalla »

Yes I changed the gearbox oil recently :(

But the service center told me that they are using the original OIL from total.
Sid_the_Squid
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Post by Sid_the_Squid »

oh dear, that sounds very bad, I recently had issues with main dealers trying to fob me off with total Dex 3, when I asked for Esso LT71141.

Following the guide in this pdf
http://www.eastment.net/forum/al4%20oil%20change.pdf
check the gearbox oil level, dont worry if you've not got any oil to add initially, your only going to get a few drips out, the key is what colour is the oil?
if its a golden colour and smells like cats pee then the correct oil was used.
however if its RED or purple that is completely the wrong oil and should be changed immediately for the correct stuff.

The only oil which is suitable is Esso LT71141
Citroen Part No. 9736.22
On the bottle it say "Esso ATF 4HP20 AL4".

If you search on these forums you will find pictures as well as lots of other information regarding this fluid and the AL4 box
Gone to the dark side.

Past Citroens
'99 Xantia HDi Exclusive
'99 Xantia 3.0 V6 Exclusive (Green Goblin)
'02 C5 Hdi 110 LX Estate
'98 Xantia 1.8 sx auto with LPG
'00 Xantia Hdi (110) forte
'97 Xantia 1.9D sx
'93 Xantia 1.9D lx (my first) R.I.P
seroyen
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Post by seroyen »

addo wrote:Yes, the famous "Limp Home Mode" has appeared. I haven't checked the part numbers you have been given, but the electrovalves were a common problem in the form originally supplied.

You can buy the parts off a Citroën or Peugeot dealer - also here. (It is the second item.) Before purchasing from this company, ask for advise on freight cost, as it can sometimes be expensive.

The transmission ECU software should be up to date - check your version number. If not correct, you'll have to download an update.
Hi there,

Thanks so much for providing an online supplier of the AL4 transmission components. Have been searching for ages.

:D
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