Trans problem

[maddocks21]

Hi all.
        Car is a 2001 4.4v8. Been driving fine all day. Parked up for 2 hours this evening and driving back home in auto mode it now wont move up out of 1st gear.
Try in in manual mode and only gears that lighton on lcd are 4 and 5. Doesnt seem be making any strange noises and no error codes  /  warning lights have appeared on dash. Anyone got any ideas??

[X5Sport]

First thing to try is the 'battery reset' trick.  I know it means taking half the boot apart, but taking the -ve lead off the battery for 20 mins sometimes fixes electronic gremlins.

After that you'll need to move the steering lock 2 lock to clear any error lights.

If that 'reset' doesn't work then it might also be an idea to check that all the plugs/connectors etc are tight and there are no corroded pins.  The gearbox ECU is at the top back right of the engine bay as you look from the front, in a black plastic box against the firewall.  The lid can be a pig to get off unless you remove the end of the windscreen scuttle on that side - I think it just slides up out of the way.

After that then it's likely to be a trip to a Dealer/Indy with the right kit to read the fault codes - assuming some have been stored - or getting someone with a scanner to see what shows up.  That should tell you where to look next.  Have you still got reverse?  Loss of reverse is one of the signs that the gearbox has lost hydraulic pressure due to a component failure.

You may want to consider getting the car recovered to somewhere rather than driving it - just in case it's more serious.

Richard

[maddocks21]

Ill give that a blast after work tomorrow.

Yeah ive still got reverse gear.

[maddocks21]

Just plugged code reader in and got P0500  which comes up as speed sensor.

Where abouts is this sensor??

cheers

[X5Sport]

Sounds like the ABS sensors on each wheel.

There are front and rear sensors (two on each axle) on the wheels as that code often brings up and ABS error and/or loss of some of the instruments in the binnacle - none of which you have flagged.  The sensors are on the inside face of the hub carriers.

Front Item 10 (3rd line as yours is a 2001 build)

Rear Item 23

Are you seeing any ABS/DSC warning lights when you first turn the key and before starting the engine?

The speedo comes off the left rear - so if that's working then it indicates that one should be OK.

Richard

[shadrack]

you can check a bad sensor at the connector under the bonnet with a multimeter