Gearbox has given in...

[rsg]

Hi all,

Well the gearbox started giving me trouble about 2 weeks ago and Saturday it gave in completely. Now I have to weigh up my odds on what to do next. It's a 4 speed auto, so I was either going to repair it or replace it with a 5 speed auto / do the manual conversion.

I had a look around on the forum but didn't find a great deal of info about this. Has anyone had any luck doing the 5spd auto conversion, would it be very complicated and worthwhile instead of reconing the current box? What would you guys recommend?

Are there any boxes the same as the fto's one used in other Mitsubishi's - I read the Colt (assuming the 4x4 model) and Galant are supposed to have the same one???

Any ideas?

raf

[kevinod]

Hey raf,

its up to what you fancy, but I doubt the 5 spd autos are too easily found? If I were in your position I'd go with the manual conversion, you'll spend most of your way to a manual gearbox by going for another auto box anyway.

There's been a few on ftooc that have done the manual conversion, have a search around there and see what you can find.

Kev.

[CJ]

Sorry to hear that Raf, I appreciate that the tip box going can be a pain in the ass. Out of interest, what sort of problems did you have to begin with and was there any chance in behavior before the box went bang?

As regards dropping in a 5-speed tip box, you'll also have to port over the 5-speed INVECS ECU. As Kev said, you might find it difficult to find a second hand 5-speed box. If you can get your hands on a manual box, go for it, you'll need a half-decent mechanic to do the job. The easist job would be to replace with a working 4-speed box, if you need the car in a hurry, this might be the best option.

As far as Colt and Galant 4-speed auto boxes go, they're not the same as the FTO box, I can't be sure about the 5-speed mind you.

CJ

[rsg]

Well about 2 weeks ago it suddenly got stuck in a driveway when I pulled in - it revved and went nowhere - I thought a brake or something locked up since it was just before my pads change.

Then we checked the oil in the box and turns out it was missing about a litre of oil - I did a service a few months back and oil was perfect (unless I didn't check properly???). Anyway after this, it started making odd changes and when I popped it in from N to D it took about 2 seconds to register.

Then on saturday as I pulled off from a traffic light - the thing popped in 3rd and the N started flashing. i was stuck in third all the way home so luckily it was freeway. now it has drive in 3rd, reverse and it parks. Error codes are 41 & 43 on the box which according to the manual are 1 & 3 gear ratios are incorrect. Gearbox oil smells burnt and obviously clutches must be burnt - so it's not completely screwed. This is what usually happens, right? right?

I admit it's my fault as I should've check the oil a bit more regularly but didn't expect this (I last checked about 2 months back).

I emailed Japco asking for details on the manual conversion but no reply yet - but I know things such as pedals, clutch and flywheel will be needed extra to the gearbox. What about the ECU and any other electronics? I can honestly do without a car for a bit so not tooooo much of a hurry...plus now I'll get a chance to fix small things on the car such as rattles and powerkoting the intake manifold.

Thanks for the replies by the way.

[RiceRocketUk]

Hey raf,

its up to what you fancy, but I doubt the 5 spd autos are too easily found? If I were in your position I'd go with the manual conversion, you'll spend most of your way to a manual gearbox by going for another auto box anyway.

There's been a few on ftooc that have done the manual conversion, have a search around there and see what you can find.

Kev.

Good luck, we do manual conversions so it is possible to be done very successfully, most owners see such a vast difference they love it

[soc]

Sorry to hear about the gbox mate, I had the same thing happen to me with my old GR. I just had a replacement 4 speed box fitted but I did consider the manual conversion. Problem was the amount of work that would have been involved as no-one over here had ever done such a conversion before - if you can find all the bits and can find someone who knows what they're doing then I'd go with a manual conversion - otherwise stick with the 4 speed tip. Question then is do you get a replacement or get your existing box reconditioned - for the sake of a warranty I'd probably go with reconditioning the existing box (I only bought a 2nd hand one cause I knew the seller was reliable).....

[rsg]

Oh well, spoke to some guys in Japan and sending a gearbox from there is out of the question - shipping price is almost the value of the car! I'll have to see if there are any compatible boxes around here - but from the looks of things it's gonna be a recon on the box since parts are so difficult to find.

I also doubt there is anyone fully capable of doing a manual conversion here, since these mechanics can't even change my spark plugs properly...

So far it's gonna cost me 130 pounds to get the gearbox taken out and put back in - then I must still go get a quote on repiars but'll I'll keep updates as to how it goes...

[RiceRocketUk]

Oh well, spoke to some guys in Japan and sending a gearbox from there is out of the question - shipping price is almost the value of the car! I'll have to see if there are any compatible boxes around here - but from the looks of things it's gonna be a recon on the box since parts are so difficult to find.

I also doubt there is anyone fully capable of doing a manual conversion here, since these mechanics can't even change my spark plugs properly...

So far it's gonna cost me 130 pounds to get the gearbox taken out and put back in - then I must still go get a quote on repiars but'll I'll keep updates as to how it goes...

£130, thats really cheap. i can do used boxes, have one in stock, however the freight wouldn`t be cheap as we`re in the uk

[rsg]

Is the 4spd auto box the same on the GPX as the GR? I've got guys sourcing one for me in Japan but they say they've found one on a mivec model so far - so is it the same?

[Myfeckin FTO]

AFAIK they are the same - several guys in the UK have replaced Tip boxes from GR to GPX and vice versa so I doubt theres any difference.

Ricerocket or Steelroe would know best here.

[rsg]

Thanks for the reply MFFTO, can anyone else confirm before I place the order?

[RiceRocketUk]

Hi, if you`re changing the gearbox and not sure what it came from, make sure you get the inner cv joints as they can be different...3 types

[rsg]

Hi Guys,

I got another question with regards to the gearbox. They Claim they have 2 auto's in Japan with the codes F4A42-1 & F4A42-2, which would be the proper one for a 4spd '95 GR?

[CJ]

They Claim they have 2 auto's in Japan with the codes F4A42-1 & F4A42-2, which would be the proper one for a 4spd '95 GR?

rsg, I can't find the complete gearbox part specification in CAPS but If I look at a torque convertor for a 4-speed Tip in a GR, I get a choice of gearboxes as follows:

09/1994 - 03/1995 : F4A42-1-U7A

03/1995 - 09/1995 : F4A42-1-U7A1

Hope this helps


CJ

[rsg]

Thanks CJ - Just what I was looking for!

I must re-install my caps again because it isn't displaying the parts for some reason.