Hold light flashing and ecu fault code help...

[Boro]

Out of interest, can you explain how or what caused your hold light to come on and flash?

[nfn]

Out of interest, can you explain how or what caused your hold light to come on and flash?

The first few times that I noticed the hold light flashing, I had arrived at work, put the van in park, then the light began flashing. By the time I left for home, the light no longer flashed. The next time, I was passing a lorry at speed and the trans went into safe mode. Very scary. The light came on within a minute or two, but was not flashing when I started the van the next day. In the next week or so, it flashed a few more times -- but didn't go into safe mode. I then had it taken care of at an auto trans specialist.

[Boro]

Yeh, that sounds identical to my problem. I was hoping it would be something wrong with the connections but its looking less and less likely now. Ive been outside a couple of times since i got back from the test drive and the light is still flashing.

I wonder why it resets itself after standing? Heat?

[missfixit70]

Have you got a chipped speedo? There have been reports of this affecting the hold light & flagging up spurious faults?

[Boro]

I dont think so. The speedo is still reading in KPH.

[nfn]

The computer is designed to reset the light, but retain the code, after around an hour (I'm not sure exactly how long). A friend had his go into safe mode in Germany -- I believe that within half an hour of having the key off it reset itself. He also said that the hold light comes on when all four wheels are off the ground. So the trans was not designed for Dukes of Hazzard driving, in case anyone was thinking of driving their bongo fast over humpback bridges or rivers...

[mikeonb4c]

I think you should contact the vendor very promptly and tell them the the fault has returned. I cannot believe that even a private vendor does not have some liability under law if they are judged to have knowingly sold a vehicle not fit for purpose and/or have practicsed deception. And it looks on the face of it as thought they may have.

Be pleasant, be polite, be restrained, but be firm. If they are genuine people they will be embarrassed and will offer to make proper redress and/or not hold you to the purchase. If they try to, we should between us research your rights.

it is important to do this promptly so there can be no suggestion that you delayed. And because phone conversations can later be denied, unless you get a proper response from the vendor, you need to put your concerns in writing, by letter or email.

Hope this helps. Keep us posted.

[westonwarrior]

Please put your location in your profile then some local knowledge may help

[Boro]

Ive just been out to check again and it has gone out.

So... if the lights only comes on after driving it about 20 miles then putting it into PARK, would it be safe to drive the car a longer distance as long as you didnt put it into park, hence not making the light come on.

Driving it back earlier, the gears changed fine and up into 4th until i stopped in the layby and selected park. Only then did it flash and stay in 3rd.

[missfixit70]

Unfortunately it needs to be in park to start it - at least mine does.

[Boro]

Ahh, there goes that idea then, lol.

As for the seller, ive spoken to them briefly already and said i would get back to them after to speaking to you guys and finding out the most likely cause and cost of repair.

Atleast ive managed to find the fault code and identify the most likely cause and how to replicate the problem easily.

Now to find someone who can fix it

[westonwarrior]

I afraid you best get it seen to mine went into safe mode (droped to 3rd gear) on the motorway which can have serious outcomes.

I hope you got it for a good price add the cost of repair to that and think of that as the buying price and enjoy your motor without worrying every time you go out.

also get the coolant system checked Just in case

Not sure how far you are into Cornwall but allans is a good place to start they are at plymouth

[Boro]

We paid £2500 for it. Its a 1996 freetop in black with 100k (thats miles), i thought it seemed pretty reasonable?

We're about an hour from Plymouth, so Allans is a possibility. We also have a company down this way called Mid Cornwall Transmissions (iirc).

[westonwarrior]

A good auto transmision specialist should be able to sort it no problem
all the info you need, type of gearbox etc iis in the fact sheets and won't take them long to do

If it costs £500 which it should not by any where near then you have a Bongo for £3000 which is still a good price as long as nothing else goes wrong

[mikeonb4c]

Good luck Boro - I'm very pleased to hear you have a constructive dialogue going with the vendor. It would not be at all fair for you to be lumbered with these faults from what you've described and/or unless you were fully aware and the price paid reflected the dodgy gearbox. Get over to Allans ASAP (or call him - did I hear he has a gearbox specialist he uses - he might put you straight on to him). I seem to recall this kind of repair cold be in the £500-600 bracket unless it turns out to be something simple like the speedo chip. But you shouldn't be getting involved in looking at it, or else you lay yorself open to the 'it was working fine, must have been you messing with it' risk.

Good luck. I'm sure it will turn out right in th'end and you'll have a great Bongo