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[cd 2.2]

I Changed the gearbox cooler oil seals today and topped up the gearbox as it had lost a little oil with the leak (the joint to the oil cooler after changing the radiator for a new one), It only took 250ml to fill back up as per guides here! Over the last few weeks the gearbox has been acting rather strangely, it will set off fine and then 3 miles or so after setting off it revs up and the gearbox fault light comes on When this happens I can only guess that it puts the gearbox into limp mode as it seems to stick into 2nd gear and won't shift! I've had it to a guy locally who has reading equipment for the ecu and such but it seems that it's not logging/storing a fault! As soon as you turn the car off and re-start the gearbox is fine for a few miles and then it revs up again and the light comes on and goes into limp state ... This issue has gotten markedly worse over a very short period and I'm told that the gearbox is toast by 2 local garages 

It's had a new camshaft sensor just the other day and I have spent allot of cash getting things back right after changing the head gasket! If this is indeed a dead gearbox I can't afford to get it fixed, my health is such that I can't be on the floor under the car to get the gearbox out to change it and in turn that will make garage costs massively prohibitive !

I'm sadly out of cash after spending the thick end of £1000 on repairing this one and getting it on the road in the last 2 months! I don't want to waste any more cash on it if the gearbox is toast, it's done 118300 approx now so it's not young in the mileage department. To top it off it's a 2.2 16v automatic so very undesirable and virtually worthless on the second hand market, especially with gearbox trouble 

Are the garages I have taken it to right in saying that the gearbox is toast? If they are how much should it cost to repair/replace?
Thanks in advance Graham

[alank46]

Was the engine running while you checked the gearbox oil level?

[TheBoy]

Need a better code reader, as if you are getting Automatic Gearbox on MID, the TCM will store a code

You're not having much luck, are you 

On the upside, even if box is shagged, they are readily available from breakers here. Can't imagine more than £40-£50 for the less desirable AR25

[cd 2.2]

Was the engine running while you checked the gearbox oil level?

Engine running and ran through all gears, up to temp ect when checking level (learned the hard way the first time)

Need a better code reader, as if you are getting Automatic Gearbox on MID, the TCM will store a code

You're not having much luck, are you 

On the upside, even if box is shagged, they are readily available from breakers here. Can't imagine more than £40-£50 for the less desirable AR25

Definitely the unluckiest person to ever have walked the planet  ! I love my car and it's the first motor I've ever owned that I am truly comfortable in .... I will have to get on the phone to a few breakers and see if they have any AR25 boxes about. I'm a little concerned about getting one that's worse than the one I have already (and knowing my luck that will happen)!

The MID isn't showing the fault, it's the little car with a spanner (control indicator) that lights up on the dash (at least it's not the EML this time)! Looking in the book this is the explanation of the light coming on :

Control indicator (car with spanner symbol) for engine electronics Lights up for a few seconds when ignition is switched on.
If the lamp comes on when the engine is running, there is a fault in the engine or transmission electronics.
The electronics switch to limp-home mode, fuel consumption may increase and the driveability of the vehicle may be affected.
In some cases, the fault can be remedied by switching the engine off and on aga in.
If the control indicator lights again when the engine is running, consult a workshop to have the cause of the fault remedied. We recommend your Vauxhall Authorised Repairer.

I would imagine that this is more the electrics in the gearbox than mechanical

[TheBoy]

Ah, so engine limp. That will throw gearbox into limp (3rd gear).

Engine codes, hope not another bloody cam sensor

[cd 2.2]

Ah, so engine limp. That will throw gearbox into limp (3rd gear).

Engine codes, hope not another bloody cam sensor

How can you tell without any fault codes what is causing the problem? I have already done the dance of the cam sensors and spent far too much cash on varying different types! There is no EML on and no codes stored in the ecu that much is certain ... maybe I can fix it with some fire
I think I'm going to sell the heap and get something with more reliable electrics and just put up with the fact that I'm never going to see any of my money back ...
Question is bridge it or try to sell it

[TheBoy]

You said car with spanner came on, or did I misunderstand?

[cd 2.2]

yes that's right ... car with spanner

[TheBoy]

yes that's right ... car with spanner

So I'd expect a code?

[cd 2.2]

no code  I had it checked (twice) the guy thinks i'm nuts 

[TheBoy]

no code  I had it checked (twice) the guy thinks i'm nuts 

Might be worth awaiting MDTMs return, and getting a proper tech2 on it, checking engine, tcm and abs

[cd 2.2]

do tcm's fail? ... When I queried Vx about this problem they suggested solenoids in the gearbox at fault due to how/when the fault occurs

[TheBoy]

do tcm's fail? ... When I queried Vx about this problem they suggested solenoids in the gearbox at fault due to how/when the fault occurs

Rarely. Very rarely.

But you need to read all 3 parts that work closely together, as faults in one can cause the other ecus to be confuddled.

[TheBoy]

Given the symptoms, I'd expect either a code around solenoids, or an Incorrect Ratio.

Hence, getting it on a proper Tech2 that can read all systems properly - we can never be sure about generic ones, sometimes they miss codes, due to the vague nature of OBDII requirements

[Andy H]

when I went to check the front lambda sensor connector the wire came apart, someone in the past (not me before it's said) had fitted one of those splice it in yourself sensors. All the 4 wires had come loose and even after re-connecting them all P0170 remained!

Given that you found bodged wiring causing intermittent connections on your lambda sensor I wonder if there are other crimp connections that you haven't found yet?