Auto Gearbox problems

Gentreau · 10-22-2006, 05:20 PM

I have a Carnival 2001 LHD 2.9Tdi Automatic and it has a problem with the auto gearbox. Sometimes (more and more recently) I will be driving at motorway speeds in top gear on a level road without accelerating and the box will suddenly change down a gear. It will stay that way for anything between a few seconds and several minutes and then behave normally. I have also started to notice that when the engine is cold the box doesn't seem to want to go into the top gear either.

I am trying to get a workshop manual to find all the sensors and controllers which might be involved, but wondered if anyone here had any ideas or experience.... ??

Any thoughts or suggestions gratefully accepted.

Vesa · 12-06-2006, 10:40 AM

I have exactly same phenomens in my 2002 2.9crdi . And also that gearbox is downshifting too early, there is lots of torgue in the engine but that gearbox seems to be made for 900cc fiat engine...

Gentreau · 12-06-2006, 03:21 PM

I now have the workshop manuals and I am starting to suspect the solenoids (there are 3). I need to determine whether the control box is sending the right signals or whether there is a bad connection to the solenoids. If I get a result, I'll post it here.

Vesa · 12-13-2006, 04:35 AM

Ok. I'm waiting for the results... Does anyone know who's product this gearbox is? ZF etc...? It would be great if that "hold" putton could be changed to keep 4th gear on in my case.

GS25 · 07-13-2009, 01:56 AM

Hi Gentreau
I have the same problem . Have you solved it ? Please up date even if not solved .
I was suspecting a partially blocked strainer which is in the gearbox ( found strainer location at kia tech info ) , however my local garage denise its existance .
Regards GS25

tikola · 07-16-2009, 03:05 AM

At least my 2005 Carnival 2.9 diesel has Mitsubishi based gearbox....or actually this is just something they told me last time when changing the gearbox oils in garage that makes it.

timo - also from Finland

John Kelly · 07-19-2009, 10:23 AM

Hi All
These auto boxes won't go into 4th untill the engine reaches a preset temperature (68 Deg C). This is normal and is mentioned in my handbook.Mine takes about 1 mile. They also have a lock up torque converter whch cuts in over 50mph (feels like a fifth gear). When on the motorway and going uphill with a bit more thottle the t/converter unlocks the revs rise and away you go untill you back off the throttle and it locks again. Get it wrong and it can't make up its mind sometimes (about 60mph). Perhaps this is where the trouble lies. It also took me ages to realise to get engine braking in 3rd the hold button is pressed or it just freewheels and runs away with the engine on tickover(below 50mph). Quite frighting to start with but I'm used to it now. Hope this helps.

Regards John.

Bombardier · 07-28-2009, 03:10 AM

This gearbox is made by JATCO and is the same as fitted to Hyundai and Mitsubishi( F5A51)