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[brian36]

hi is there anyone who has had this problem and managed to fix it ?
there are several members all seeming to have same problem, which after spending hours trying to find information on it have got nowhere.
spoke to 3 different vauxhall garages which seems to have been a total waste of time, their master tech mechanics all said same thing buy a new gearbox.
had the car at a transmission specialist who said he thinks its more electrical, consider changing car.
i like this car and surely we together can co-ordinate and find out what problems are, again on the internet it seems not just vauxhalls , many cars throughout world having same problem the codes P0730 Especially.
i spoke to vauxhall customer care, they suggested since the car is a 2001 that i consider changing it and that they have some good deals on at the moment. i asked if we can have some more information on the tag "INCORRECT GEAR RATIO" , she replied we have heard of this before but no one knows, can i suggest that we all try and locate one of these experts who fitted the gearboxes etc when cars were new, or the person who designed the system, either way we need to find someone out there that knows how to fix this problem economically.
so far 3 garage visits , 1 specialist, 1 vauxhall garage,3 pay for questions websites so far total £390 and got nowhere, everyone wants to take a piece but give nothing in return.
can i please ask can we find out about this problem, even if i can suggest that we all chip in and send one to a specialist and get to the bottom of gear ration problems, surely this would not cost us alot and be worthwhile.
if you are interested in helping please drop a reply and will liase with hotel21 on this, best regards

[Jimbob]

can be as simple as low fluid causing that,

Has been when I have had it in the past.

[brian36]

that was first  thing checked and checked again at transmission specialist but no did not sole it thanks
hotel21 helped me with this code finding etc but tried for 2 weeks now to find out more and solve this.

[Jimbob]

im sure some other people have fixed by changing the affected solenoid.

Tech2 / "My Naff Code Reader" checking can reveal if one is causing too much resistance.

[brian36]

hotel21 got codes for me but so far been to trnsmission specialist who reckons could be electrical fault and auto electrician who reckons could be manual either way they want hundreds and don't know if would fix, i don't have hundreds to try.
excuse my lack of knowledge but can the tech2 find out by further investigation the actual root of problem so that if solenoid then can find what to do next.
thanks

[Kevin Wood]

You're indeed not the only one scratching his head over this error at the moment.

Do you have any engine trouble codes as well?

My understanding is that this error means the gearbox ECU saw a mismatch between input speed and output speed. In other words, the ratio of the two was not consistent with the gear the box was supposed to be in.

This could have been caused, IMHO, by a "lazy" change due to low fluid level or pressure, a defective solenoid, perhaps a faulty output shaft speed sensor, "slipping" of the clutches within the gearbox due to wear or perhaps even an incorrect RPM indication from the engine ECU due to a failing crank sensor.

So, a bit of a "catch all" fault.

Basics need checking first. No engine fault codes, especially related to crank / cam sensor?

Gearbox fluid level correct and no debris in the fluid?

No thrust washer parts in the gearbox sump?

Selector switch operating OK, no flickering lights by the selector, not been through any floods recently? Might be worth tanking it off and giving it a clean anyway.

All electrical connections to gearbox secure? No obvious damage to the wiring looms?

Also, try to think in what driving conditions the failure occurred? What gear would it have been in, was it changing up or down, locking up or just cruising?

Other faults are raised by short/open circuits to the electrical actuators in the gearbox. Mechanical failure of a solenoid wouldn't be picked up by this, though. Possibly, high resistance of a failing solenoid or wiring might also slip underneath the radar. Worth buzzing through each solenoid circuit with a multimeter and noting the resistances.

Kevin

[brian36]

thanks for that, will try coax hotel21 in to helping me get to the route of this i just spoke to gearbox specialist he reckons try sqeezing more fluid in as they are very touchy if not enough, and as i said to him does seem to happen more  on corners or dropping speed or acceleration there seems only 1 code showing at moment p0730 and the gear selector lights seem fine not sure how to check the other bits you mention but will try find someone to do many thanks
BUT IF THERE ARE ANY MEMBERS UP TO THIS AROUND FIFE PLEASE DROP ME A LINE MANY THANX

[Richard A]

Please explain what is happening ie does the gear box change 'flare' between gears, if so between which gears, 1 to 2, 2 to 3 or 3 to 4.
regards
richard a

[brian36]

hi, it drives almost normally meaning not the smoothest gear change but does seem to change up ok abit slow in going to 4th but all happenings are i feel coming off bend or taking up speed again. it happens by first thing i notice is rev counter surges up not sure whether  gear has disengaged at that point or not the in split seconds you get a clonk from what seems back of me then nothing for a second or 2 then it takes up drive again usually in 3rd and only 3rd the warning light with spanner does come on but not all the time but if it does its when it goes to 3rd gear only it has once or twice sorted itself out and went on normally. but the only way i found to sort is to stop turn off ignition and restart then drives off again till next occassion. but as not long had car i cant measure it up how it used to be, but i have had omegas before and there is i feel a second or so gap between gear chages and not so smooth. as i said had atf checked but not 100% on whether they did right or not. thanks

[Kevin Wood]

Yep, I've heard those symptoms described in relation to this code too.

First job is to make absolutely certain the fluid level is right (hot, with engine running!).

While you're there, drain a little fluid into a jam jar (by loosening the plug with the engine stopped) and check it for colour and debris.

Kevin

[Jimbob]

yes, deffo check the fluid level 1st
Very similar to my experiences, and a fluid topup normally sorted for a while.

(I eventually changed the box, and found I was running an AR25 instead of AR35...no wonder it was enver very happY)


You do know you can drive it as a manual once the 'automatic' part has dropped out by moving the lever through the 1-2-3 positions I take it?

[brian36]

thanks to both of you,
did have fluid checked there was a small amount of debris in fluid and will try again get topped up properly and yes canm drive 1/2/3 but would prefer this to drive as should eh, will keep trying thanks

[feeutfo]

thanks to both of you,
did have fluid checked there was a small amount of debris in fluid and will try again get topped up properly and yes canm drive 1/2/3 but would prefer this to drive as should eh, will keep trying thanks

if you have debris then something is worn or broken. Can you describe it? metal filings?

IMO its up to you how to proceed, the only real course of action not needing too much specialist knowlege is to service the fluid and filter in the box. Then see how it goes.

If symptoms persist though this could be a waste of time and money as chances are the box is damaged, unless a solenoid can be found to be faulty.

I would suggest finding a mechanic who specialises in auto boxs, discuss the problem, suggest a fluid change and filter clean, any serious debris will become apparent at this stage. If no serious debris is found and the level and fluid is fine then look further.  If he has suitable equipment (probably wont have tech 2, but bench testers are available) he can test the solenoids but this may well mean removing the valve body to check they move freely and dont stick etc.

But this will now start to get expensive at this stage, if i where you i would enquire on ar25 auto box prices and work your budget from there, compare box replacement v repair of yours. Early diagnosis will be key so dont let them string it out and spend a fortune on invetigation only to decide the box is fubar.

End of the day though, if it was me, i'd change the fluid and see if it sorts it, but i suspect you need another box, they are not too expensive from breakers on here.
hth

ps, be sure there are no engine codes present, esp cam sensor, these can upset the autobox on this engine.

[brian36]

thanks i appreciate your help will look down track of re doing atf first see what transpires ,thanx

[TheBoy]

Incorrect ratio is simply when the measured input speed, measured output speed, and the selected gear is implausible.

Input speed is via crank sensor, output speed is via sensor in box, selected gear is ecu derived.

This code is often mechanical or hydraulic so ATF first