1996 KZN185 Autobox no Drive

[div3r]

Having a bit of a mare with my auto gearbox, (3rd Gen 3Lt ) put it into a local garage to have a leak fixed, gearbox oil leaking from bell housing, this all required the gear box to be taken out.

Anyway get a call from the garage this morning, when you put it in to drive nothing happens. So I have been over to have a look there right. If you take off the pipe to the cooler in the radiator, no oil cumming out so figure the pumps knackered in the gear box.

Now as I drove the truck to the garage, I am assuming they have done some thing wrong or miss aligned something my question is what or if anybody has other ideas coz I’m at a loss and if I’m honest so are they.

[KERRSURF]

Plug connectors, ECU fault?

[div3r]

Thanks
If I disconnect the gearbox electrically like Tony has suggested on other threads will that prove it is an ECU fault I am still a bit confused why no oil is getting pumped to the rad or is this a red herring.
The O/D light is not flashing to indicate any fault codes.

[Albannach]

Is there oil in it?

Did they remember to bolt the Torque converter to the flex plate?

Did you do the 'Oil at the radiator' test with the engine running?

Is the Transfer box selector Fully pulled backwards?

Does the AT/P light come on when the 'box is in Park?

[div3r]

On the full mark with engine running
I hope so I will ask
Yes with the engine running
Which lever is this ? and where
No, but it never did

[Albannach]

It's the wee lever to the right of the gearstick, it should be pulled fully backwards (4H), it also has a neutral position.

But that won't cause the oil not to flow with the engine running.

Was the garage a specialist?

[BUSHWHACKER]

Is there oil in it?

Did they remember to bolt the Torque converter to the flex plate?

The torque converter is fitted to the transmission's input shaft before the whole assembly is fitted to the engine/flexplate and the bolts are inserted through the inspection plate opening.

Did you do the 'Oil at the radiator' test with the engine running?

Is the Transfer box selector Fully pulled backwards?

It's a 3rd gen, the transfer lever should be pushed forwards.
Does the AT/P light come on when the 'box is in Park?

Either it's low on fluid,(torque converter empty) or the torque converter isn't engaged on the shaft properly.

[Albannach]

Either it's low on fluid,(torque converter empty) or the torque converter isn't engaged on the shaft properly.

Missed the turd gen bit, sorry (but it could be one of the weird ones?)

I've been wondering if they've buggered something up when they were playing with the seal?

Div3r - Ask them how much fluid they put in it.

Also, run the engine up to as close to normal as you can get it in the condition it is in, then check the gearbox oil temperature. It should be hot.

[Albannach]

No, but it never did

That's not a bad thing. And it may not come on at all on a turd gen?

[Albannach]

The torque converter is fitted to the transmission's input shaft before the whole assembly is fitted to the engine/flexplate and the bolts are inserted through the inspection plate opening.

Are you telling me that, or the OP?

[div3r]

They said that about 5 litres of oil went in and they are not specialists but they did one last month without any problems
It was the transfer lever being pulled back that confused me its normally fully forward
I am thinking the gearbox has got to come out again but it is what to look for once its out and if there are any checks/ things to look for as it goes back together.
Thanks every body for the help so far.

[Albannach]

If they tried to shortcut things and left the TC connected to the flex plate, they may have buggered something up.

As Vince said, the flex plate has to come off and go back on with the gearbox. I've seen some garages thinking the TC should stay on the flex plate. If they did do it this way, they may have been lucky with the last one, but broke your's.

The first thing I'd do is make sure the TC is bolted to the flex plate, if it is, ask them how they took the box out, if they didn't do it as Vince said, that may be the problem.

[div3r]

I am sure their were three seals changed one on the torque converter one on the gearbox itself and a rear crankshaft seal as a precaution.

what I really need is pictures/diagrams of what all this should look like, but they must have had it pretty well dismantled to change that lot.

I will go and have chat tomorrow as they will be working on it, as it is tying one of the lifts up.
I am wondering if I should source another box from somewhere because I just want my truck back on the road and I can't use my boat without it.

[BUSHWHACKER]

A torque converter is just a hydraulic coupling, a pump on one side and a turbine on the other, both immersed in fluid. The torque converter needs to be fitted to the transmission's shaft correctly, a straightedge needs to be placed across the mouth on the bellhousing and the distance measured (17mm if I remember)from it to the face of the T/C.

Most 'mechanics' just push the T/C onto the shaft 'till it stops and think thats it. Most of the time it engages correctly but other times it can look fitted but the splines aren't locked together and the turbine won't spin transfering the fluid from the pump in the T/C to the transmission so no drive.

As Andy said, they probably got lucky with the last one they fitted.
If your truck is taking up space on their lift, then it's their problem, not yours by the way, and don't pay them any extra!!

[div3r]

A torque converter is just a hydraulic coupling, a pump on one side and a turbine on the other, both immersed in fluid. The torque converter needs to be fitted to the transmission's shaft correctly, a straightedge needs to be placed across the mouth on the bellhousing and the distance measured (17mm if I remember)from it to the face of the T/C.

Assuming this is a 3rd gen gearbox, where on the torque converter would you take the measurement (17mm) from the straightedge too, I am also assuming the torque converter its not a flat surface.

This is not my box by the way I just got the pic off the net.