Cold gearbox

[John]

Hi all,

Has anyone experienced their automatic gearbox not shifting into top in a cold Bongo? I have a 1995 4WD 2.5 SGL Bongo. In this cold weather my Bongo has started to stay in second gear when started after an overnight stand until it warms up (generally until the temperature gauge needle gets onto the scale), after which all is fine. I have tried various things like putting it into 'S' then back into drive, and putting the hold on and off in case the gearbox is stuck without any luck.

I have it booked into a garage this Wednesday but the mechanic has already said he doesn't much about Bongo 'boxes! I am based in Cork, Ireland. Grateful for any info I can pass onto the garage.

Many thanks for any comments.

John

[scanner]

They all do that........

The lock up on 4th gear will not engage until the box is up to proper working temperature.

However if yours really is staying in second gear until it is warmed up there may be something wrong.

Have you checked the fluid in the box for condition and level?

[missfixit70]

That's about normal I think, certainly notice the difference on mine when it's below about 5C, takes a few minutes longer before it'll go into lock up.

[scanner]

Read a few of these posts to get some idea of what is "normal".

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... mit=Search

[mikexgough]

Mine shifts up to Top gear okay after about 1/2 mile from home in the cold weather, not to engine working temperature

[John]

Thanks for the replies - very useful and very prompt! Good to know others experience the same thing. Will get the box oil checked though.

Thanks,

John

[bigdaddycain]

Will get the box oil checked though.

Thanks,

John

The Auto-box dipstick can be found under the driver's seat john... Although a pretty rough level can be found with the engine off, for a more accurate reading, take a "dip" with the bongo in "D" with a warm box after a trip. (chock wheels,handbrake,hold footbrake as neccesary).

The box uses a "dexron3" spec ATF.

The fluid is generally in good condition if the colour is still a nice,bright,clear,red.

If it looks at all murky, or brown even...a fluid flush is imminent.

[helen&tony]

Hi
Strangely enough, lately, the Bongo's autobox doesn't want to change up when the weather's cool, until it gets to operating temperature, but in the severe cold we get here, it seems to get warm more quickly, and changes at least a mile or two earlier....I wonder how that's possible???
Cheers
Helen

[mikeonb4c]

Hi
Strangely enough, lately, the Bongo's autobox doesn't want to change up when the weather's cool, until it gets to operating temperature, but in the severe cold we get here, it seems to get warm more quickly, and changes at least a mile or two earlier....I wonder how that's possible???
Cheers
Helen

Could be an illusion? I notice when weather is v. cold that (as John says) the autobox doesn't seem to want to go higher than 2nd gear at first. Pretty soon, it allows itself to move up to 3rd gear which, after enduring 2nd gear, feels a bit like it has settled as per normal. A bit later however, it lets you lock out in top gear. But if you are not on roads suitable for top gear lock-out speeds, you culd easily think the 2nd->3rd warm phase is the final one, which it isn't.

I agree to that autobox lock-out usually (always?) becomes possible before the temp gauge has moved to normal operating position.

Gosh but we discuss the finer points of some riveting stuff sat in our dressing gowns on a lazy Sunday morning don't we eh?

[dandywarhol]

From my experiences the autobox has 2 separate phases of warmup operation. Initially (and in cold weather) the box changes up to 2 and 3 and stays in 3rd until a predetermined temperature is met. It then engages 4th around 20/22 mph. It stays in 4th and won't lockup the torque convertor until the temp needle is moving on the gauge (and the glow plugs stop operating at the same time under light load). Lockup is the final "shift" which feels like a 5th gear has engaged, at around 37 mph and the rev tachometer reads 1500 rpm.

[francophile1947]

From my experiences the autobox has 2 separate phases of warmup operation. Initially (and in cold weather) the box changes up to 2 and 3 and stays in 3rd until a predetermined temperature is met. It then engages 4th around 20/22 mph. It stays in 4th and won't lockup the torque convertor until the temp needle is moving on the gauge (and the glow plugs stop operating at the same time under light load). Lockup is the final "shift" which feels like a 5th gear has engaged, at around 37 mph and the rev tachometer reads 1500 rpm.

That sounds exactly like mine dandy

[bigdaddycain]

Just out of curiosity... I live in an area where i encounter maybe ten sets of traffic lights before my bongo is anywhere near up to temp.... If i lived near a dual carriageway, or even a motorway, how would i get on with the box not changing up if still cold? I wouldn't fancy attempting 60mph in second gear on the motorway with a cold engine!

[francophile1947]

Just out of curiosity... I live in an area where i encounter maybe ten sets of traffic lights before my bongo is anywhere near up to temp.... If i lived near a dual carriageway, or even a motorway, how would i get on with the box not changing up if still cold? I wouldn't fancy attempting 60mph in second gear on the motorway with a cold engine!

Put your grandad hat on and drive at 30

[dandywarhol]

It stays in 3rd til warm - a pain in the arse and I really can't see a point to it

[mikeonb4c]

I quite often chock one of my wheels (for safety) and put it in 'D' for 5 mins while the engine is warming. That does the trick