Transmission not shifting out of first gear

[Pajero]

Ok so after installing the new engine In my 92 l300 delica. The transmission won't shift out of first gear.... Checked the wiring and it seems to be ok

Any ideas what may cause this? The van was not running when I bought it so don't know if this is a new issue or old...


Thanks

Joe

[Yokohama]

It sounds like it will drive around in 1st gear, yes? Are there any sounds coming from the engine/transmission?

Is this a 4WD or 2WD?

Have you checked the fluid level? (cold and hot)

How many miles are on this van? Has it ever had the transmission fluid and filter changed?

[Pajero]

The fluid was VERY dirty, so I did drain out the oil and filled it up again but I have to do it again as it still looks dirty, figure I'll do this a few times then drop the pan and change the filter to give it a good flush.

The level is good when cold, can't really get it too hot as its not insured right now so just drove a bit on my street to see how it would run, and noticed it won't shift out of first. Even when I change the gears manually it does not change either.

It has 209,000kms on it and the new engine is pretty much new used less than a year.

Oh and its was in 2wd and it was sitting for over a year and not driven at all during that time just towed from where I bought it.

[Yokohama]

The fluid color could indicate that the transmission clutch bands have disintegrated.

If the fluid color was bad before you changed it, it is possible that someone damaged the transmission before you bought it.

Or they could have had never changed it, and then decided to do it, and could have damaged it.

There was a Hyundai Accent with very high miles and it had never had the fluid and filter changed. The owner decided to have it flushed and changed at a local quick lube place; when the fluid was flushed and changed it caused the varnish and such that had built up on the internals to come loose. It turned the new fluid a dark color almost instantly. The varnish and such had basically been holding it together and flushing it caused the internals to come apart. When the pan was inspected there were odd metal bits and crud in the bottom. Not normal at all.
Before the flush the transmission had been normal, but after it would only shift into first and all the other gears were dead.

Some people say that if you have a very high mileage transmission that has never been changed to never change it and only add fluid rather than risk it.

Normally I recommend changes unless someone wants to just let the transmission/car go until it dies.

At worst you find the lowest cleanest transmission you can, change the filter and clean the pan before installation. Once installed, fill with the best fluid you can get.

[Pajero]

The fluid was dark before I drained and filled it and now its a bit better but still dirty......sure hope its not dead as I would hate to have to replace it....as its going to be a expensive delica! lol

so is it just the transmission that should know when to shift? or could I have connected something incorrectly that could cause this to happen?

Thanks

Joe

[Yokohama]

It is the standard hydraulic system.

Have you tried manually selecting the other gears to see if they work?

I suspect that as long as you have it in 2WD or 4WD and it is exhibiting these signs, then it could be that there is internal issue with transmission.

The fluid color is the issue of concern, but you could see if the shift solenoids have gone out. They internal in the valve body.

Here is the automatic tranmission service manual for the L300:
http://www.delica.ca/manuals/L-300%20Ma ... ission.pdf

[nxski]

Have you tried manually selecting the other gears to see if they work?

Even when I change the gears manually it does not change either.

[TardisDeli]

If the paj has the same accelerator setup as the L300 automatic, check for a broken tiny cotter pin which is located near the fuel pump where the end of the accelerator wire activates how much the engine revs. This also determines gear as your engine needs to shift down for extra acceleration. Its a teensy half inch long cotter pin that connects this, and is located beneath the connection, on the L300. Since the paj is a sister to L300 likely has similar mechanics. Christine.

[Pajero]

If the paj has the same accelerator setup as the L300 automatic, check for a broken tiny cotter pin which is located near the fuel pump where the end of the accelerator wire activates how much the engine revs. This also determines gear as your engine needs to shift down for extra acceleration. Its a teensy half inch long cotter pin that connects this, and is located beneath the connection, on the L300. Since the paj is a sister to L300 likely has similar mechanics. Christine.

Thanks I'll check it out, this is actually on my new to me L300 but I still have the paj too

[TardisDeli]

Welcome to the L300 Wonderful World. Update profile that we see on yr postings, as more people likely to reply about L300 as there are herds of us. If you PM me yr real email, I can email you some L30O info. Cheers christine.

[Yokohama]

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[Pajero]

Problem solved thanks to CCA's Help!, He saw the pictures and saw that my kick down cable was way too tight which makes it stay in first gear. Loosened it up and its all good now!

Yay....almost ready for the road...cant wait

Joe