Jatco box won't change up...

IainB · 26th March 2023, 18:56

Hello folks,
As the title says, but...
Just changed the 2-4 solenoid. Followed the procedure from here, also following, as best I could, the 'JATCO Automatic Transmission Refill. MGR Bulletin' from here. Not having T4, it's a bit of a guess at temperatures

Anyhoo, the box is now really nice and smooth from 1 to 2, and 2 to 3.
Problem is, it won't change up to 4 and 5 now. It used to, before I got my fingers on it. Not smooth, due to the 2-4 solenoid being duff, but it did go up, and it went into torque lock-up at about 90 kph, 55mph or so.
So, what have I a) done wrong, or b) disconnected inside the box, or c) disconnected outside the box. Can't think of d)...
I can test all the solenoid resistances when it's daylight again, see if one of them has died. I'll check levels again as soon as...

I had to pull out the solenoid beside the 2-4, and slip them in again together to make the bracketry fit. Which solenoid is it that's beside the 2-4? Could that be the problem if the connector has come loose inside? Looked OK before I buttoned up...

Edited to add, reverse is fine...

Thanks,
Iain

IainB · 26th March 2023, 22:10

https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...d.php?t=188690
In picture 3 of the above post, there is a cable seen just to the left of the filler plug. I disconnected this, re-routed it behind the pipework, and re-connected it. This got it out of the way for removing the coverplate.
What is that cable for? Could disturbing it have caused my problem? I didn't disconnect the battery before I changed the solenoid, could I have upset the gearbox ECU?

IainB · 27th March 2023, 08:36

Update...
Took the battery off last night, re-connected this morning. No difference. TOAF shows no faults. (.43 version) Never does, even when I know there are faults...
The car engages reverse almost instantly, but there's a noticeable delay in engaging drive.
What's going on? I'm stumped...

SD1too · 27th March 2023, 18:37

Hi Iain,

Which ATF fluid did you use for refilling?

Simon

IainB · 27th March 2023, 18:56

ATF-U, like it says in the book.
Re-checked the levels as per this morning, still not working right.
The cable I mentioned above goes down to the bottom left on the box, outside the pan, but I can't find any diagram that says what it is.
Haven't checked the resistances again yet, I'll do that tomorrow. Bit odd that it just started this when I swapped the 2-4 solenoid, I'm thinking I've disturbed something i shouldn't have. But what?

IainB · 29th March 2023, 11:39

Okay, latest..
Decent weather, so out and poke.
Probed all the connections to the box, all within spec. for resistance. Fairy Nuff, put the plug back together. Just because, took it for a test, all working! Except torque lock-up, which isn't really a problem happens at 90kph, speed limits pretty much everywhere round here are 80...
So, all it was was a dodgy connection on the big plug, or a dodgy cable between plug and ECU. Which will be tested as and when I can be bothered, i.e. not...I can live with it :-)
I might spray some contact cleaner in the plug, then vaseline spray. but maybe not, if it ain't broke don't fix it :-)
I's a happy wee chappy...

Popcorn · 29th March 2023, 11:57

Glad you got it sorted, been following your thread with interest as i have an auto no problems at the moment but good to know pertenionaly where to look

IainB · 29th March 2023, 13:58

Popcorn, and anyone else, you're welcome. Over the years I've been on Land Rover, Range Rover and this forum.
I've noticed people ask for help, sometimes get it, but don't always report back on the end result.
More is learnt by a 'yes, that worked' or 'nope, no joy there.'
I'll likely be back with more problems...

Rich in Vancouver · 30th March 2023, 22:19

Agree it is always nice to know when/how a problem is resolved.
I have been watching this thread with interest. I don't have an auto currently but may have another auto Freelander in the future.
Once you said you had checked the fluid level I decided to keep my mouth shut. From my experience most Jatco problems stem from not low fluid/old fluid but I'm glad to hear it turned out to be a simple fix.

26th March 2023, 18:56	#1
IainB Newbie Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Bergen Posts: 21 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Jatco box won't change up... Hello folks, As the title says, but... Just changed the 2-4 solenoid. Followed the procedure from here, also following, as best I could, the 'JATCO Automatic Transmission Refill. MGR Bulletin' from here. Not having T4, it's a bit of a guess at temperatures Anyhoo, the box is now really nice and smooth from 1 to 2, and 2 to 3. Problem is, it won't change up to 4 and 5 now. It used to, before I got my fingers on it. Not smooth, due to the 2-4 solenoid being duff, but it did go up, and it went into torque lock-up at about 90 kph, 55mph or so. So, what have I a) done wrong, or b) disconnected inside the box, or c) disconnected outside the box. Can't think of d)... I can test all the solenoid resistances when it's daylight again, see if one of them has died. I'll check levels again as soon as... I had to pull out the solenoid beside the 2-4, and slip them in again together to make the bracketry fit. Which solenoid is it that's beside the 2-4? Could that be the problem if the connector has come loose inside? Looked OK before I buttoned up... Edited to add, reverse is fine... Thanks, Iain Last edited by IainB; 26th March 2023 at 20:21.. Reason: adding info.

27th March 2023, 18:37	#4
SD1too Doesn't do things by halves Rover 75 2.5 Connoisseur Auto (1999) Dealer launch model. Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Former Middlesex Posts: 20,522 Thanks: 1,587 Thanked 3,749 Times in 3,181 Posts	Hi Iain, Which ATF fluid did you use for refilling? Simon __________________ "Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble." Sir Henry Royce.

30th March 2023, 22:19	#9
Rich in Vancouver Gets stuck in MG ZT-T Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: White Rock, BC on Canada's Pacific Coast Posts: 864 Thanks: 338 Thanked 367 Times in 210 Posts	Agree it is always nice to know when/how a problem is resolved. I have been watching this thread with interest. I don't have an auto currently but may have another auto Freelander in the future. Once you said you had checked the fluid level I decided to keep my mouth shut. From my experience most Jatco problems stem from not low fluid/old fluid but I'm glad to hear it turned out to be a simple fix. __________________ ZT-T190, Anthracite, LHD, Left the Line on June 24, 2002, Sold new in Switzerland, spent time in Germany, Imported to Canada in September 2021

26th March 2023, 22:10	#2
IainB Newbie Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Bergen Posts: 21 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...d.php?t=188690 In picture 3 of the above post, there is a cable seen just to the left of the filler plug. I disconnected this, re-routed it behind the pipework, and re-connected it. This got it out of the way for removing the coverplate. What is that cable for? Could disturbing it have caused my problem? I didn't disconnect the battery before I changed the solenoid, could I have upset the gearbox ECU?

27th March 2023, 08:36	#3
IainB Newbie Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Bergen Posts: 21 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Update... Took the battery off last night, re-connected this morning. No difference. TOAF shows no faults. (.43 version) Never does, even when I know there are faults... The car engages reverse almost instantly, but there's a noticeable delay in engaging drive. What's going on? I'm stumped...

27th March 2023, 18:56	#5
IainB Newbie Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Bergen Posts: 21 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	ATF-U, like it says in the book. Re-checked the levels as per this morning, still not working right. The cable I mentioned above goes down to the bottom left on the box, outside the pan, but I can't find any diagram that says what it is. Haven't checked the resistances again yet, I'll do that tomorrow. Bit odd that it just started this when I swapped the 2-4 solenoid, I'm thinking I've disturbed something i shouldn't have. But what?

29th March 2023, 11:39	#6
IainB Newbie Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Bergen Posts: 21 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Okay, latest.. Decent weather, so out and poke. Probed all the connections to the box, all within spec. for resistance. Fairy Nuff, put the plug back together. Just because, took it for a test, all working! Except torque lock-up, which isn't really a problem happens at 90kph, speed limits pretty much everywhere round here are 80... So, all it was was a dodgy connection on the big plug, or a dodgy cable between plug and ECU. Which will be tested as and when I can be bothered, i.e. not...I can live with it :-) I might spray some contact cleaner in the plug, then vaseline spray. but maybe not, if it ain't broke don't fix it :-) I's a happy wee chappy...

29th March 2023, 11:57	#7
Popcorn Loves to post 55 cdti tourer slush box executive grill Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Sheffield Posts: 391 Thanks: 40 Thanked 85 Times in 72 Posts	Glad you got it sorted, been following your thread with interest as i have an auto no problems at the moment but good to know pertenionaly where to look

29th March 2023, 13:58	#8
IainB Newbie Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Bergen Posts: 21 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Popcorn, and anyone else, you're welcome. Over the years I've been on Land Rover, Range Rover and this forum. I've noticed people ask for help, sometimes get it, but don't always report back on the end result. More is learnt by a 'yes, that worked' or 'nope, no joy there.' I'll likely be back with more problems...