Bongo stuck gear

[trozombo]

Hi everybody! It’s been a while since posting here but here we go. I have a 1997 2.0 automatic 88000 miles white camper converted Bongo, I had it for 2 years now, it was at around 60000 miles when I bought. Recently, it failed the MOT and number of works have been completed to get it passed, the trickiest one being the change of the front control arms.(££££) Anyways, all that done, the van was driving very smooth til it starting having gear hiccups, around 2 weeks after the garage. The hiccups last night turned into major as the van is stuck into 2nd or 3rd, not sure which one. I’ve called the garage and they told me they haven’t been anywhere near the gear box, but I’m very suspicious, as it never had any gear problems before, just too much of a coincidence. Any advice or suggestions will be greatly appreciated!!!

[trozombo]

Apologies for this post, just realised is a bit vague I think the main symptom is when accelerating from stop the van is not in first gear, and not going up in gears, I've drove on a 40mph and I gets up to around 3000rpm. Reverse working fine. As mentioned before, never had gears issues before being in the garage. To pass the MOT they’ve changed lower arms and top cover gasket and repaired flexy exhaust and tracking. Since I’m not very savvy with all things engine/mechanic, is it possible the above repairs mentioned could’ve triggered this gear problem. Is it advisable to drive the van while having this issue (common sense would tell me is not advisable). How much roughly am I looking to spend to get repaired? Bearing in mind we’ve already spent £2000 less than a month ago

[trozombo]

I keep forgetting to add! Is there anything I can do DIY before I take it back to garage? Any suggestions will be very appreciated!

[g8dhe]

Its unlikely that any normal garage work would have any effect on an actual gearbox problem, most garages wouldn't touch a gearbox other than check the oil level in them!

Have you checked the oil level in the gearbox, the dip stick is underneath the drivers seat but has to be measured with the engine running and warmed up, run thru the gears with the selector a few times then start dipping - it can be fiddly as there is a lot of splashing so may need to do it several times to get a useful reading.

If there is a gearbox problem then they aren't cheap to have repaired / refurbished, you really need someone like "Alacrity" on the board here who is a specialist to look at it.

Edit I see Alacrity hasn't been on for quite a while;
Joined:2010 Jan 12 9:02 am
Last active:2020 Jun 09 3:51 pm
http://www.autogearboxes.co.uk

[Allans]

I looked at what you said your garage did. There's nothing that suggests they caused this. Especially as it was fine for 2 weeks after they worked on it.

It possible something has worked its way lose or failed since then.

As Geoff said, first thing to do is check gearbox fluid level.
This has to be done on level ground.

If you're not sure how - download instructions here: https://www.allansvehicleservices.co.uk ... +Check.pdf

Or read this: viewtopic.php?t=54089#p540397

If that's OK, further investigation will be needed.

[trozombo]

Thanks Allans and g8dhe, I really appreciate your words!
I’ve done the check of the oil and although I can confirm it doesn’t have a brown colour or toast smell, it was hard for me to have an accurate reading. I’ve booked the van in for the same garage to have the trans oil changed (at an eye watering hourly rate plus VAT plus parts). Having just been there, they said to me they couldn’t get the parts (oil and filters) from Mazda for some reason. My new question is, does the oil need to come come from Mazda directly? Do they need to change filter/s? I thought it/they can just be cleaned? Another revelation this morning, after not running the van for week, this morning when I took it to the garage, it was shifting gears fine!!! Which confirms that the gear box is fine, phew! So I’m confused, shall I cancel the garage and take it out of London for a cheaper trans oil change?

[Bob]

Pretty sure the auto fluid is standard Dexron 3, available anywhere.

Not sure about filter, but you could change the fluid yourself with a Plea pump.

[trozombo]

Thanks Bob, thought that after reading about it around this forum. Trying to connect dots, and maybe has been discussed previously on this platform, so apologies if I ask, but is it possible that the heatwave 2 weeks ago had something to do with this shifting problem?

[Bob]

Sorry, don't know that.

Should read 'Pela' pump.

[Doone]

Youre right, the filter is mesh, it can be cleaned. If you put your London location in the 'search' you may find a more Bongo knowledgeable garage near you. There are also garages listed in the London forum viewforum.php?f=32

[mikeonb4c]

Could the disturbing of anything electrical cause issues. Throttle Position Sensor for example. Maybe Allan Bugg could give a view?

[Doone]

Could the disturbing of anything electrical cause issues. Throttle Position Sensor for example. Maybe Allan Bugg could give a view?

He already did on 22nd June. The trouble is, it's just guess work and nobody can be certain whats causing the problem.