EP displayed and second gear takeoffs

Kevinlev · 27th December 2018, 00:27

Hi,
EP is displayed where the gear is normally displayed on the dash of my MG ZT180 auto. The car takes off in second, as if in snow mode. If I switch off the car, and restart, it goes back to normal, and will soon go back to EP and takeoff in second.
I removed the panels below the passenger side windshield and removed the engine control module. The area was dry but there leaves blocking the drainage so I cleared the drainage hole.
I hasn’t rained for a few days, the weather has been dry and warm and there is no water in the upper engine bay.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Kevin

Devilish · 27th December 2018, 00:39

If ECU is dry, check fuse 34, and disconnect battery for about 15 mins

Kevinlev · 28th December 2018, 01:21

I disconneted the battery and the engine control module for 40 mins yesterday. I also removed and re-inserted some of the fuses in the engine bay during this time. This morning I checked all fuses under the glove box and all are ok.
My car was serviced the week before XMas and the automatic transmission was also serviced.
Just took the car for another test drive and EP still shows up and the car takes off from stand still in second gear.

slovcan · 28th December 2018, 02:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevinlev

I disconneted the battery and the engine control module for 40 mins yesterday. I also removed and re-inserted some of the fuses in the engine bay during this time. This morning I checked all fuses under the glove box and all are ok.
My car was serviced the week before XMas and the automatic transmission was also serviced.
Just took the car for another test drive and EP still shows up and the car takes off from stand still in second gear.

What service was done to the transmission? Was it a maintenance service or were you trying to have some transmission symptom corrected? If it was working normally before the service, I'd take right back to the place that did the service.

Good luck,
Glenn

Kevinlev · 28th December 2018, 03:11

Is the gearbox ECU the lowest mounted unit behind the glove box located closest to the fuse box? Does it have a metallic case? I disconnected this unit for about half an hour but the fault re-appeared.

Kevinlev · 28th December 2018, 03:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by slovcan

What service was done to the transmission? Was it a maintenance service or were you trying to have some transmission symptom corrected? If it was working normally before the service, I'd take right back to the place that did the service.

Good luck,
Glenn

I had informed them of the problem and they conducted a maintenance service

slovcan · 28th December 2018, 04:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevinlev

I had informed them of the problem and they conducted a maintenance service

So, it had this same problem before the transmission service?

SD1too · 28th December 2018, 08:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by slovcan

So, it had this same problem before the transmission service?

If this is the case Kevin, and bearing in mind the 'EP' indication, then I'd suggest that it might be a multiplex communication problem.

Simon

Kevinlev · 28th December 2018, 21:16

Thanks everyone for your feedback. The garage may be closed for the XMas and New Year week. I'll try calling again next week to book it in again. I'll let you know the outcome.

Kevin

Kevinlev · 7th February 2019, 07:12

I replaced the battery and the fault continued. Took the car to my mechanic and the diagnostics revealed that the solenoid for first gear was faulty. Can one purchase a replacement solenoid new or must you find a wrecker who doesn’t want to sell you an entire gearbox?

27th December 2018, 00:27	#1
Kevinlev Newbie MG ZT180 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Melbourne Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post	EP displayed and second gear takeoffs Hi, EP is displayed where the gear is normally displayed on the dash of my MG ZT180 auto. The car takes off in second, as if in snow mode. If I switch off the car, and restart, it goes back to normal, and will soon go back to EP and takeoff in second. I removed the panels below the passenger side windshield and removed the engine control module. The area was dry but there leaves blocking the drainage so I cleared the drainage hole. I hasn’t rained for a few days, the weather has been dry and warm and there is no water in the upper engine bay. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Kevin

27th December 2018, 00:39	#2
Devilish Been round the block 75 Tourer Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Cannock Posts: 4,125 Thanks: 3 Thanked 189 Times in 121 Posts	If ECU is dry, check fuse 34, and disconnect battery for about 15 mins __________________ If at first you don't succeed, hide the evidence Last edited by Devilish; 27th December 2018 at 00:41..

28th December 2018, 01:21	#3
Kevinlev Newbie MG ZT180 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Melbourne Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post	I disconneted the battery and the engine control module for 40 mins yesterday. I also removed and re-inserted some of the fuses in the engine bay during this time. This morning I checked all fuses under the glove box and all are ok. My car was serviced the week before XMas and the automatic transmission was also serviced. Just took the car for another test drive and EP still shows up and the car takes off from stand still in second gear.

28th December 2018, 03:11	#5
Kevinlev Newbie MG ZT180 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Melbourne Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post	Is the gearbox ECU the lowest mounted unit behind the glove box located closest to the fuse box? Does it have a metallic case? I disconnected this unit for about half an hour but the fault re-appeared.

28th December 2018, 21:16	#9
Kevinlev Newbie MG ZT180 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Melbourne Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post	Thanks everyone for your feedback. The garage may be closed for the XMas and New Year week. I'll try calling again next week to book it in again. I'll let you know the outcome. Kevin

7th February 2019, 07:12	#10
Kevinlev Newbie MG ZT180 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Melbourne Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post	I replaced the battery and the fault continued. Took the car to my mechanic and the diagnostics revealed that the solenoid for first gear was faulty. Can one purchase a replacement solenoid new or must you find a wrecker who doesn’t want to sell you an entire gearbox?