2.4 Automatic Gear Selector Problem?

[Aldino]

I have a 94 surf 2.4 TD Auto. I was recently driving down to Spain when I pulled into a petrol station to fill up, I put the thing in "park" and it made a terrible grinding noise a bit like when you hold the starter motor on for too long. I finally managed to start it by putting it in neutral and also putting the 4wd selector in neutral.
AA towed it to a French garage where they charged me 400 euros for a new starter motor and sent me on my way. On crossing into Spain the same problem happened again. I have a feeling it may be electrical due to the fact that the head lights dim and there is a clicking noise coming from behind the centre consol. The "ATF" light has also come on but as far I can see the reservoir level is correct.
Any help much appreciated.

[Aldino]

OK... a bit more info for you;
It will drive ok for about half an hour then the grating noise will occur again. If i knock the 4wd shift into neutral the grinding stops, then put into Nuetral on the auto shift, then put 4wd shift into H, then back in drive and its off we go again (for about 500m) then repeat above.



I'm a complete green horn when it comes to surfs so please be gental with me

[Vagrant No2]

Sounds like the 4wd control unit is trying to engage the front diff . Maybe a short in the wiring on the gear selector making an intermittant connection .

[Aldino]

I'm thinking along the same lines.
I wonder if there is a way to disable this by simply popping out a fuse or unplugging a cable somewhere so as to troubleshoot...

[lord lucan]

I have a 94 surf 2.4 TD Auto. I was recently driving down to Spain when I pulled into a petrol station to fill up, I put the thing in "park" and it made a terrible grinding noise a bit like when you hold the starter motor on for too long. I finally managed to start it by putting it in neutral and also putting the 4wd selector in neutral.
AA towed it to a French garage where they charged me 400 euros for a new starter motor and sent me on my way. On crossing into Spain the same problem happened again. I have a feeling it may be electrical due to the fact that the head lights dim and there is a clicking noise coming from behind the centre consol. The "ATF" light has also come on but as far I can see the reservoir level is correct.
Any help much appreciated.

first tip dont call your surf a thing

[Aldino]

After being stranded in the a-hole of nowhere in -10 degrees "thing" was one nicer words I was using for it. I hope one day soon we will be put this all behind us and I will be addressing my beloved surf with a cute girls name but until its fixed it will always be "thing"