308 AL4 Automatic Transmission - Rough shift from 1st to 2nd gear

[FarokJanos]

Hi!
My 308 1.6 VTi made in 2009 has the AL4 4-speed automatic transmission which shifts roughly from 1st to 2nd gear, every other gear changes are smooth. The car has ? 150K kilometer mileage with no gearbox ATF fluid change.
What could be the issue?
Thank you.

[ozvtr]

Could be a lot of things, from clutch pack to brake band to hydraulic actuator to electro valve.
The easy thing to do is to change is the fluid.
PSA says the fluid is "sealed for life"...it isn't! IMHO the fluid should be changed at 60,000Km intervals. But that's just my opinion. HOWEVER it does not last forever.

[FarokJanos]

Thank you for hour anwser. I will book an appointment to my mechanic to change the gearbox fluid. Last question, since the gearbox fluid was not changed through those 150k kilometers then a sudden change from degraded dirty fluid to a fresh fluid would not make the gearbox to behave ‘abnormally’?

[Arkis]

I bought a Peugeot with the same gearbox. It never had a gearbox oil change in 19 years of life. The oil smelled burned and was more like a water than oil. Trust me, new oil is deffinitelly better than old "watery stuff".
As a precaution I did one more oil change after a few thousand kilometers just in case the new oil loosens some gunk and it came out perfect. The oil was darker than new oil but no chunks.

Before you take it to a mechanik make sure He understands how oil change should be done on these trans. It's not a simple drain and fill like on a normal trans.

[FarokJanos]

Thank you, I will ask him if he can do it. If he can not should i take my car to a automatic transmission specialist or a dealership?

[Arkis]

It's nothing hard to do and He does not need special tools. Only thing quite atypical is that you need a 8mm square key. But if He works on PSA cars He probably has one, because some models use it on oil plugs.
It's just five minutes of reading and He can do it.
https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/al ... e/52539713

[FarokJanos]

Ok, thank you

[ozvtr]

Thank you for hour anwser. I will book an appointment to my mechanic to change the gearbox fluid. Last question, since the gearbox fluid was not changed through those 150k kilometers then a sudden change from degraded dirty fluid to a fresh fluid would not make the gearbox to behave ‘abnormally’?

That seems to be more of a problem with the older "fully mechanical" types of auto boxes. I've never heard of changing the fluid in an AL4 making the gearbox worse. Typically it makes it better or there is no change.
Of course you could discuss that with the mechanic, it's a relevant question.

[FarokJanos]

Thanks. I will consult with my mechanic.

[Arkis]

Hello FarokJanos, how did it went? Is shifting smoother after changing the fluid?

[FarokJanos]

Hello FarokJanos, how did it went? Is shifting smoother after changing the fluid?

The oil got changed and also the gearbox oil wear counter was reset last week and the results are very good, the shifts before the oil change could not even be compared to the shifts after the oil change, now all shifts are smooth at all conditions. The old oil was burned and was in a very very bad state.

[Arkis]

So good to hear these great news! Thanks for the update.