2.4 auto tranny question

[Surfin' Canada]

Hello,
It's been a few years since I sold my last Surf and I've started looking for one again. I've got my eye on one for a cheap price but it's got an auto tranny problem. I've searched for this but found nothing, so here it goes:

Apparently it developed a fault and would try to start in 3rd gear. The seller said he replaced the shift solenoids and that corrected the gear selection problem but now when it tries to shift into 3rd it goes into a "false neutral"?
He states that the fluid is not burnt and that it shifts fine manually. He said that since he is now back in school he doesn't have the time or money to keep troubleshooting it so he's just selling it cheap.

Now my old surf was a manual, and with all their cooling problems thats what I'd preffer, however they are scarce here and if I can fix this rather cheaply/easily then it's too good of a deal to pass up.

I understand that you can unplug the tranny and manually shift through 1,2&OD (which it sounds like he has done) to prove that its mechanically working good. What's the possibility of the 3rd gear being mechanically damaged? It seems the ECU is typically at fault for not shifting into OD but what about 3rd gear?

I haven't driven or seen this vehicle myself yet as it is a couple hours away, I'm just working with the info that I've been told about it.

Thanks for the help,
hopefully it's worth all the time I spent trying to remember my old user name and password!!

[TonyN]

Sounds like either he botched fitting the solenoids, or 3rd Gear clutch bands are shot, maybe from starting in 3rd to often?

Dosn't help much, sorry One makes for a really cheap easy to fix truck, and the other needs a new gearbox.

I say its unlikely to be a ECU issues, as it much be shifting into third, to get the 'neutral' so must be getting a signal to the gearbox to release second gear.

The same solenoid in ON position is used for 2nd, but with the other solenoid in opposite position so it must be working in theory, so does sound like a gearbox problem.

You won't be able to prove it on a test drive with the tranny unplugged, as third is only selected electronically, not off the shifter like all the others.

[Surfin' Canada]

if its so cheap and they are scarce, you might not lose much by buying it giving it a go to fix it if it works out to be major, break it up for spares and get you cash back plus a healthy profit over time.

I was more meaning the 5spd manual surfs were less common, there are quite a few autos for sale here now. I don't have the time or energy to part out a vehicle either. I'm not looking for a project but rather was hoping for an easy fix for a good price.

TonyN,
Thats pretty much what I had figured too. I think if I had the space, time and cash for a project I'd go for it, but I can't afford to loose a gamble like this right now. I need a reliable vehicle for every day use and for our weekend getaways with the dog and all our various gear. I think I'll pass on this, and all 2.4 surfs, and look at something different for now. Hopefully the 3rd gens will be a bit more readily available in a couple years!

Thanks!