Bit of advice req`d re hold light

[Bongoplod]

Hi All

This evening I went shopping at a local store (1 mile away).
On route (1/2 way),the hold light started flashing,I timed it and it was 1 flash every second.
Got to Sainsburys,did the shopping,came out and it was fine all the way home,never flashed once.
Anyone got any ideas??
It was dark, so i havent checked the ATF,will do that tomorrow in daylight.
Anyone know, off the cuff, what the fault code is for a flash every second (save me looking up on search which im not good at),and any idea why it flashed on the way to the store,but never flashed on the way home??.

Cheers in advance,Brian

[TEZ217]

Hi
A flash a second on the hold light meant the bongo wanted to go to ASDA

SORRY

[nfn]

The codes can only be read after you stick some wire in the box for the transmission control unit in the front passenger footwell. The fact sheet in the members' area will take you through the process. When mine had a solenoid problem the hold light would flash, then not flash for more than a month. The problem gradually got worse.

[Alacrity]

A flashing hold light indicated the transmission ECU has 'seen' a fault & will have stored a code. If it were mine I would just monitor it, but as stated before it may get more frequent & you will need to read the code & attend to the fault, commonly TPS or solenoids but there could be other reasons.

[missfixit70]

Trouble is, the flashing hold light is telling you there's a fault, depending on the fault it can lead to the bongo going into limp home mode or possibly just stopping, not very convenient as you know it'll happen when you don't need it. If you've got a flashing hold, best to investigate immediately, it's not hard to do.

[nfn]

I agree with Kirsty -- check it out now and take care of it if you have the funds. Going into 'safe mode' means that the computer locks you out of overdrive. Could be quite a surprise to get locked out of overdrive if you're travelling over about 50 in overdrive in the middle of passing a lorry when it happens...

[Alacrity]

I wasn't suggesting for one moment that the flashing hold light should be ignored, but if it has only done it the once then it clearly has an intermittant problem that may only occur once in a blue moon. In an ideal world it should of course be investigated straight away but we see many cars here where a code has been set just the once, we clear it an advise the customer what we have found & in many cases he/she doesn't return for many months as the fault hasn't shown up again. If Brian is technical he can get the flash code out himself & post his findings, if not he will have to put his hand in his pocket!

[Bongoplod]

Thanks for the replies.

Unfortunately im not technically minded at all (shuddered at the 1st reply to "stick a piece of wire in the control box thingy in the passenger foorwell,to get the code)!!!,but ive checked the ATF and it WAS low.Ive bought some Dextron 3 and will top it up,hope that was the problem,and keep an eye on it.
It still hasnt flashed again since the 1st time.

Brian

[nfn]

It's very easy to get the fault code -- being technically minded is not necessary if you are armed with the bongofury transmission fault codes fact sheet. I don't think that the solenoid pack or throttle position sensor (two things that are likely to result in a fault code being recorded) are affected by the level of oil in the trans -- maybe someone with more knowledge on the forum will know whether the solenoids in the trans are in contact with the transmission fluid.

[Alacrity]

I don't think that the solenoid pack or throttle position sensor (two things that are likely to result in a fault code being recorded) are affected by the level of oil in the trans

You are correct. The Bongo transmission electronics are very crude & can normally only detect simple faults such as incorrect resistance (i.e. solenoid) or incorrect inputs such as TPS or speed sensors. It has no method of sensing pressure or even measuring slip - both of which could show up if the oil level was seriously low.

[mikeonb4c]

Put it on 'special measures' (local journeys only) for a while and see if it settles down. that way, Wheelquick are never far off

[Bongoplod]

Put it on 'special measures' (local journeys only) for a while and see if it settles down. that way, Wheelquick are never far off

Ohhh yes !!

Brian

[Bongoplod]

Right,when this first occurred it was daylight and i only noticed the hold light flashing.

It was ok when i restarted the Bongo,and has been ok since.

It happened again tonight,but this time it was dark and my lights were on,and as the dials were all lit up,i noticed this time that the speedo was not working either.Stopped the Bongo,turned it off,restarted and everything ok again,hold light not flashing and speedo ok.

I therefore assume its the chip in the speedo that is causing an intermittent problem.

So, question 1...what is the way to go with this,do i need a new speedo (mazda 626 type??)
or do i just get the chip replaced.
question 2...in the meantime,whilst waiting to get the repair done,is it ok to drive it,or
will it cause me any further problems/harm ?.

Any advice appreciated

[missfixit70]

I'd check you'r alternator is outputting ok, could be on its way - http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =3&t=37206

[Bongoplod]

Thanks for the fast reply Kirsty.

After son in law (who i got it off) got a flat battery recently,he took it to Wheelquick who diagnosed a failed alternator,and it was replaced

Brian