Renault autoboxes

Jonny69 · 26-04-2007, 19:03

We've got a 1997 Renault Scenic auto with the notorious autobox and we've been keeping an eye on it since she got the car. It is getting a bit rough on the gearchanges. Sometimes if you sit in traffic and the engine and box get hot it starts to not drop into creep, kind of like it has popped into neutral. Then when you go to pull away the revs climb to about 1400rpm and the torque converter locks up and the car jerks forward.

I don't know the first thing about autoboxes, is this a sign that it's low on fluid? Unfortunately the box is a sealed unit so one can't check the box fluid (yeah great idea that was ) without a diagnostic box and I'll need to take it in somewhere to do that.

Just deciding whether it's time to sell the car on if it's the end of the box and it's going to go soon or if just going needs a topup by someone with the right tools and kit. There's nothing else wrong with the car but a dead gearbox will be the difference between getting all the money back we paid for it or just scrap value.

Darrin · 26-04-2007, 23:28

It depends who made the tranny. If it's based on a Chrysler, get rid of it NOW!! If it's a Ford based, it probably needs a little fluid or a fluid and filter change. If it's a GM model, it's just getting settled in. Drive the snot out of it for a few gear changes (Italian tuneup) and all should be good.

Jonny69 · 27-04-2007, 11:33

Easy easy... Euro trannys aren't built like US ones, if I give it some stick I'll just break it

This is the one I was telling you about that is sealed so you can't check the fluid or change the filter. As far as I know it's done 108K on its original fluid which is nonsensical to me. No wonder they have a bad name because once something goes wrong it's basically because it's too late because you couldn't check it to prevent it happening in the first place.

Darrin · 27-04-2007, 18:16

After a little research, sounds like it's a Chrysler type.

26-04-2007, 19:03	#1
Jonny69 Noob Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Socialist Republik of Kent Posts: 5,032	Renault autoboxes We've got a 1997 Renault Scenic auto with the notorious autobox and we've been keeping an eye on it since she got the car. It is getting a bit rough on the gearchanges. Sometimes if you sit in traffic and the engine and box get hot it starts to not drop into creep, kind of like it has popped into neutral. Then when you go to pull away the revs climb to about 1400rpm and the torque converter locks up and the car jerks forward. I don't know the first thing about autoboxes, is this a sign that it's low on fluid? Unfortunately the box is a sealed unit so one can't check the box fluid (yeah great idea that was ) without a diagnostic box and I'll need to take it in somewhere to do that. Just deciding whether it's time to sell the car on if it's the end of the box and it's going to go soon or if just going needs a topup by someone with the right tools and kit. There's nothing else wrong with the car but a dead gearbox will be the difference between getting all the money back we paid for it or just scrap value. __________________

26-04-2007, 23:28	#2
Darrin Dirteh Kitteh Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hiding out in Mormon Country Posts: 1,629	It depends who made the tranny. If it's based on a Chrysler, get rid of it NOW!! If it's a Ford based, it probably needs a little fluid or a fluid and filter change. If it's a GM model, it's just getting settled in. Drive the snot out of it for a few gear changes (Italian tuneup) and all should be good. __________________ A bullet may have your name on it, but shrapnel is addressed "to whom it may concern".

27-04-2007, 11:33	#3
Jonny69 Noob Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Socialist Republik of Kent Posts: 5,032	Easy easy... Euro trannys aren't built like US ones, if I give it some stick I'll just break it This is the one I was telling you about that is sealed so you can't check the fluid or change the filter. As far as I know it's done 108K on its original fluid which is nonsensical to me. No wonder they have a bad name because once something goes wrong it's basically because it's too late because you couldn't check it to prevent it happening in the first place. __________________

27-04-2007, 18:16	#4
Darrin Dirteh Kitteh Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hiding out in Mormon Country Posts: 1,629	After a little research, sounds like it's a Chrysler type. __________________ A bullet may have your name on it, but shrapnel is addressed "to whom it may concern".