Auto gearbox issue - intermittent lock at Park position

[osx]

The auto gearbox of my X7 occasionally gets stuck in the park position. it is usually just a matter of pressing again on the brake pedal but yesterday I had to leave my foot on the brake for almost 5 seconds before I was able to change from parking to drive. Will be servicing the car next month but just wondered what could be causing this sort of behaviour. would changing the gearbox oil help?

[Zelandeth]

Have never experienced this car at all, but have had the same issue on a Jag XJ6 several years ago. Turned out to be the brake light switch on the pedal was faulty, so the car wasn't releasing the lockout on the lever as it didn't know the brake pedal was being pressed. Could also be the solenoid for that sticking.

Don't know for certain, but I would be expecting this fault to be entirely external to the gearbox itself.

[osx]

So it would release the lockout intermittently or not at all?

Does anyone now the part number?

[Zelandeth]

Exactly. When in park or neutral you could usually hear a faint "click" from somewhere in the vicinity of the gear lever. When the fault was present that disappeared.

I don't know whether the C5 uses a similar system, but so far every car I've seen with a brake lockout for an auto has worked more or less the same.

Whether the solenoid itself, the physical locking mechenism sticking or the brake sensing system (which I am assuming just ties into the brake lights) are to blame is harder to say without looking at the car.

Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than me about the C5 can chime in with actual experience rather than my other car based guesswork.

[osx]

I hear the click only when the lockout is released. Today I had to wait for almost 10 seconds but when I tried again after shopping it unlocked straight away?!?

[vborovic]

You asked this a while back in another topic, but you didn't say whether you've checked the break switch:

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... 17#p431235" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... 15#p431391" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[osx]

I had a look at the break switch but not sure what check you can do if it still works ??

[Hell Razor5543]

I would either get an assistant to help, or put a mirror near to the back of the car. When you press the brake pedal the brake lights should come on (and go out when the pedal is released), and so you (using said mirror) or your assistant should see this happen.

[Northern_Mike]

I had a look at the break switch but not sure what check you can do if it still works ??

Sit in it when it's dark, start engine, don't put headlights on, press brake pedal, look in mirror.... You'll see the brake lights.

[Stickyfinger]

Position the car on ramps, strap it down, Raise ramps to Vertical, lift ramps and car above water, apply peddle,look in rear view mirror if you see lights in the sea they work.

[url]Http:citroen/heathrobertson.co.uk/methods/brakelightchck.dpf[/url]


edit....sorry feeling naughty tonight

[osx]

Brake lights work fine

[old-un77]

and the link wont werk!

[Stickyfinger]

have you read what the link says ?

here is a hint
http://www.iharrow.com/wp-content/uploa ... binson.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[RichardW]

Pretty sure someone else had the same problem a while back, and a new switch fixed it - just because the lights works, doesn't mean that the switch isn't faulty - it's got more than one set of contacts in it. If you could get it on a Lexia, you could probably see whether it's working or not. Similar switch problems on C4 etc cause handbrake problems. Post up the last 8 digits of the VIN, and we can look up the part number - if the same as the C4 one, then it's not desperately expensive, and comes with a modified section of harness to try and reduce future problems.

[old-un77]

NOW.............that makes sense!!