Why does my gearbox give trouble?

[D.J'S FTO]

I have a GR FTO 4-speed Tiptronic. The problem I have is, when I am driving, the neutral light starts flashing. It will not let me into 1st gear or 4th gear. Followed by a jerk if i change down to 2nd. If i pull over and switch off the car, leave it for a few seconds, it's fine again.? :?

Anybody who suffers from similar problems or knows what causes it, please help! Save.My.FTO!,please

[D.J'S FTO]

hey thanks for replying i checked the oil not so long ago it appearred to be fine,are the 4 speed tip really that bad? is there any oil that fto owners would recommend?

[CJ]

s there any oil that fto owners would recommend?

DJ, you'll need Dextron III based ATF (approx 7 litres) see this thread for info on changing the oil (do this sooner rather than later):

http://www.fto-ireland.com/forum/phpBB2 ... php?t=2256

Also see this thread for info on ATF filter compatibilty:

http://www.fto-ireland.com/forum/phpBB2 ... php?t=3517

I have a similar problem that I diagnosed as the vehicle sped sensor, I replaced it and the problem returned, I'll be tracing the wiring back to the ECU to verify connectivity.

The 4-speed tip box can give trouble if not properly maintained. On older cars, I'd be inclined to change the ATF and filter every 10-12k kms to be on the safe side....

CJ

[prestigejs]

Try unplugging the plugs on the gearbox and spraying them along with the sensors with a good electrical contact cleaner and then put them back on again. Make sure you spray well into the plug and around it. You may find that it will cure the problem.

[steelroe]

If it is flashing neutral you should be able to read the fault code using a piece of wire. I am sure there is a link on here on how exactly to do it. This is a safety feature of the tip box, i think it will gslip into 3rd and flash the Neutral light if a fault is detected.
Correct me please if I am wrong.

[Storm]

http://www.ftooc.org/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=31351

Try here to look at how to check for error codes.

The tip boxes arn't really that bad. I read somehwere that they were actually a Porsche design but that could all be BS.

Flashing N can have more than one meaning but if it is at 2hz it is overheating and 1hz it is a sensor.

HTH

Arashi

[D.J'S FTO]

Hey lads, thanks for all your suggestions. i will get cracking on tryin to sort this problem. I did change the gearbox oil on sat (5th of aug) and it has done it 4 times since,I am not sure bout the atf i put in the gearbox and it only took 4 litres so i will change it again to make sure its right. if the sensor is faulty how would know which one it is? and where would i get one? much appreciated, dave

[CJ]

if the sensor is faulty how would know which one it is? and where would i get one? much appreciated, dave

DJ, you need to undertake a diagnostic, have a look at the link below, note that it refers to engine sensors codes however:

http://www.ftowa.com/html/workshop/workshopart07.html

When the pin on the diagnostic plug is earthed, the 'N' llight will flash gearbox specific codes. Chances are you have a faulty input or output sensor on the gearbox, they're easily replaced. The input shaft sensor code is 22 (2 long flashes followed by 2 short ones) and the output shaft speed sensor is 23 (2 long, 3 short).

CJ

[CJ]

I've created a Knowledgebase thread relating to gearbox diagnostic codes, seehere for more info.

CJ

[D.J'S FTO]

Hey cj thanks for the link you gave me, we done the test with the earth wire and code 22 came up which is the input shaft speed sensor. is this a part i can get from a dealer? Would you know were on the gearbox it is located? Once again thanks for the advice.

[CJ]

we done the test with the earth wire and code 22 came up which is the input shaft speed sensor. is this a part i can get from a dealer? Would you know were on the gearbox it is located? Once again thanks for the advice.

You should be able to get a secondhand one off steelroe or RicerocketUK. You need to remove the airbox \ filter to get at the sensor, its located on top of the gearbox. You also need to remove two bolts holding the gearbox selector cable in place, then its just a matter of disconnecting the plug on the sensor and removing one bolt, its quite straighforward.

CJ