Peugeot 307cc gearbox faulty. Please help

[Scoop]

Hi all

So a couple months ago I started getting this gearbox faulty issue out of the blue.

Before that, the car ran perfect, minus the cruise control would occasionally turn itself off.

Back to the gearbox faulty issue… so I had a mechanic out to look at it, and they said it could be the solenoids in the valve body.


I’ve changed the two solenoids, added fresh transmission oil, but just took the car out for a test drive, and still does it. I get two minutes up the road then get the gearbox faulty message, as well as speed control system faulty. I used to be able to turn the car off and back on, then drive in manual mode but now the same message shows in manual mode. I have no clue what else it could be


I do have the following code P0597

What I’ve tried….
Changed the two solenoids in valve body.
Drained the coolant.
Got the A/C regassed.
Cleaned out the VVT solenoid.


Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Scoop]

Update.

Just checked the codes after the test drive and now it comes up with P0597 and P1167

[RichardW]

597 seems to be related to the thermostat. 1197 is gearbox solenoid error. I believe if you fit the revised solenoids you need to update the gearbox software. You might be able to do this on v7 Diagbox, but it might need proper dealer access.

[Scoop]

Okay. So if I can get the diagbox where would I find the firmware required to flash the solenoids?

[Scoop]

Also would anyone know how much trans fluid it takes to dry fill after doing the solenoid repair?

TIA

[GiveMeABreak]

Dry gearbox oil capacity: 5,85 litres.
Oil remaining after draining: Approximately 3 litres.
Quantity of oil to fill after draining: Approximately 3 litres.

Note that about 3 litres of oil remains in the torque converter after draining. If changing any oil remember the oil wear counter also needs resetting using an appropriate diagnostic tool like PP2000 or Diagbox. However your specialist should know all this if working on these I would expect.

[Scoop]

Thank you. So that’s the problem I’ve faced. Because I’m in Australia no mechanic here will touch the car, so been forced to carry out the repairs myself.

Was surprisingly easy to do the solenoids once I watched a video about 10 times.


Any idea where I get the firmware from?

[GiveMeABreak]

From what I can tell. Peugeot Planet 2000 should already have the software update included, but otherwise a Peugeot dealer will be able to download the correct software to the ECU for you.

[Scoop]

Before I go ahead and purchase. Could someone please confirm that this is what I require to flash the solenoids.

Don’t want to buy the wrong thing

https://www.mydeal.com.au/lexia-3-pp200 ... lsrc=aw.ds

[GiveMeABreak]

I would avoid this one as the key is in the model description. Any units that miss out the C5 or Peugeot 308 tell me it's not a full chip kit, as usually these clones are missing other hardware that won't work with Full CAN vehicles.

[Scoop]

So I’ve looked everywhere online. Seems all the ones over here are clones, so would likely have to get it imported from the UK.

Can’t even take the car to a Peugeot dealer since the car just goes into limp mode

[ozvtr]

The non "full-chip" LEXIA clones will work on the first generation "all CAN BUS" vehicles. I.E. 2004-2010 vehicles. It's after about 2009, when the second generation of all-CAN systems came out, that the non full-chip clones fail to work. So A 307CC should be OK on a "regular" LEXIA (I think the hardware is actually called the ACTIA3). I don't know why but LEXIA (the Citroen configuration software) was written by a small child on a Commodore64. Where as 'Peugeot Planet' (Peugeot's configuration software) seems to have been written by someone who knows what they are doing!! Bizarrely both versions of the software are launched from a single app called "Diagbox". You select Citroen or Peugeot as your path-of-doom. LOL!
There are 2 BIG problems with the LEXIA clones (and they are ALL clones). 1) the software is pirated and is an absolute PAIN to install and get running. 2) the hardware is poorly manufactured and unreliable. Quite often DOA.
If you decide to get one, make sure you can get help and/or get your money back if it doesn't work!
I wouldn't pay much more than 60-70 AUD (for the non full-chip, or "regular" version). I would get it off Ebay and pay by Paypal. That way you are guaranteed to get your money back if you are not satisfied, and there may be a good chance of that.
The first one I got was from Bangood, it didn't work, they had no idea what they were doing, and F#$@^d me over.
The second one I got from Ebay and fortunately it worked. But that was more by good luck than good management!
Another catch is if it doesn't work, is the problem in the hardware or the software?? My problem turned out to be the hardware but I didn't know that until I replaced the hardware and it all worked on the original software install. After installing and updating and deleting the software a dozen times, by the way!

[ozvtr]

No Offence but are you the guy on "Aussiefrogs"? If so then (apparently) the error code is from the gearbox ECU not detecting the "requested" hydraulic pressure.

Ok, so the oil pump in the gearbox is connected to the output of the engine and so is driven by the engine. The oil pressure is regulated by one of the modulator valves in the valve body that you changed. The pressure is monitored by a pressure transducer on the bottom of the gearbox and sends back a signal to the gearbox ECU as to the pressure in the hydraulic system. That a very basic overview.
So the 3 key players in this scenario are the oil pump, the pressure regulator solenoid valve and the pressure transducer. Of course there could be leaks in the gizzards of the gearbox but you only want to go down that rabbit hole as a last resort.
Now, you have changed the modulator valve, so it is most unlikely to be that. BUT I know for a FACT that these can come out of the factory DOA!!!!! Sorry, that does complicate things.
There should NOT be a need to update the gearbox ECU firmware for a 307cc. I wont go into why, just trust me. It's unlikely but unless the electrical connectors on the valves you removed where white, you wont need to. Again I doubt it, the 307cc was built too late in the day for that. Even if the valve connector are white that's still not proof the software needs to be updated.
The next suspect would be the pressure transducer. This monitors the pressure and is how the gearbox ECU knows if the pressure is OK. This is located on the bottom of the gearbox and is exposed to rocks water and damage from running over things! It can just fail, or the electrical wiring to the gearbox ECU can get damaged. After-market knock-off transducers can be found on the usual retail websites.
If it's the oil pump, well, that will be costly. The gearbox would need to be stripped down, inspected and repaired.
So, just on spec and for no other reason, I would replace the "new" solenoid and the pressure transducer. Sorry, I cant guarantee that will fix it, but it's the best that I've got.
A LEXIA can monitor the hydraulic pressure and that might give you some sort of a clue. It can also modulate the valves in the valve body to tell you if they are working (you can hear them buzzing).

[Scoop]

Thank you for your in depth response.
No, this is my first time using a forum to try and fix my car.

I did have a mobile mechanic come and and said it was the transmission valve solenoids. Arranged for him to fix it the week after, then no response from him, so been forced to fix it myself.

So I’m guessing my best bet would be getting some more solenoids and trying again. If it doesn’t work after that, then would have to move on to the transducer. One plus point I guess is that at least I know how to do the solenoids this time.

I do have a LAUNCH OBD2 scanner due to be delivered hopefully tomorrow so hoping that may give me some idea of what’s going on.


It’s such a shame because the 307cc is such a good car. Runs so smoothly when working

[ozvtr]

The main pressure modulating valve does a lot of work. You can hear it buzzing sometimes from inside the cabin (once you realize what it is).
So it's not surprising that they fail. Also they can "work" but not be capable of regulating the pressure, but that's a fail too.
Of course there can be physical damage to components and no (as Wallace would say) "prevaricating about the bush" will fix that except, replacing the damaged part.
The only "user serviceable" parts are the valves and the pressure transducer, anything else requires the gearbox to be opened up.
Good luck.