Terrano Auto not shifting out of 3rd?

[terrano54]

Hey so my auto has started playing up recently and seems like it will be something simple (hopefully) but not sure where to start.

Vehicle: 95 Terrano, D21, TD27.

Basically sometimes when I start it, I will put it in drive but it seems like the auto has put itself into 3rd (could be 2nd) and won't change up or down.

It slips really badly when taking off on a hill, and when I get upto about 60ish it should be dropping down (into overdrive? or next gear) and it just doesn't.

It is like it is stuck in 3rd (but could be 2nd i guess, I haven't played with it enough to work out which gear it is using)

It has happened to me once in the past a couple of months back, but has happened four times in the last 2 days so I am getting slightly concerned.

To resolve the issue at the time, all I have done is turned the car off and back on and it comes right.

I have tried playing with the power/hold switch, and flicking it between the gears but nothing really seems to help when it gets into this mode.

It seems almost like a wire/sensor/? is slightly funny and the auto is shutting down into a fail safe, and it just needs to be reset and then it comes right.

Any ideas?

[zukmeista]

Has it had a service? Would be a good start.

[terrano54]

It was flushed about 20,000km ago.

The auto is ok the rest of the time (just ok like all terranos of this age, but its gonna cost more than the car to get a reco one)

Last time I took an auto for a 'service', basically all they did was flushed it and the filter and gasket, they didn't even take it for a test drive. So unfortunately not sure if that is gonna actually help...

[bob_or_jim]

Doesnt sound mechanical to me but it be worth checking oil levels etc to be sure.

Almost sound like the Comp loosing its way? Maybe the selector switch? Be worth giving all your plugs a wiggle and having a good look for rubbing/cut wires.

[northland_pajero]

If the auto is anything like a Pajero auto I would check the temp and speed sensors / connections to the computer (a Pajero auto wont go into od unless its up to temp and over a certain speed)

[fullthrottle]

Doesnt sound mechanical to me but it be worth checking oil levels etc to be sure.

Almost sound like the Comp loosing its way? Maybe the selector switch? Be worth giving all your plugs a wiggle and having a good look for rubbing/cut wires.

I second this. Clean up all the connections first. On trans and inside the shifter mech.
Helped mine.

[Dirtydog]

mine used to do this in after going into 4wd, after fluid was drained etc and filled up to proper level it hasnt done it since. although temp might be something too.

[Paulballz]

i third checking the connections and checking oil level is correct remembering you check trans oil while its running or within a few seconds of shutdown...The automatic has a safe guard system so whenever the trans has a problem it will lock its self in third gear and wont shift up or down (limp mode), the reason it goes when you shut down start up is because it resets trans ecu then it wont come back until it senses fault code again.
I would not be driving it like this as something is not right even if its just a loose connection. Run the trans ecu check, the slip and load going up hill as you said will kill it very fast (heat).

This should be the process for yours if not let me know and ill try another.

1) Ensure engine is at normal operating temperature. Turn
ignition switch to OFF position. Set power shift switch to AUTO
position. Set overdrive switch to ON position and move selector lever
to "P" position. Turn ignition switch to ON position, but DO NOT start
engine. If power shift indicator lamp comes on for about 2 seconds, go
to next step. If power shift indicator lamp does not come on for about
2 seconds, see Fig. 7 above.

2) Turn ignition switch to ACC position. Move selector lever
to "D" position and set overdrive switch to OFF position. Turn
ignition switch to ON position, but DO NOT start engine. Wait for more
than 2 seconds, after turning ignition ON, and move selector lever to
"2" position.

3) Set overdrive switch to ON position and move selector
lever to "1" position. Set overdrive switch to OFF position. Depress
accelerator pedal to floor and release. Power shift indicator lamp
will flash trouble code. Refer to appropriate SELF-DIAGNOSTIC CODE
chart. See Figs. 16-20.

Count how many times the "power" light flashes and one of the flashes the light will flash for slightly longer..Let me know which flash longest.

For more information read this it explains it better
http://www.240edge.com/manuals/89-90_240sx/auto_tra.pdf