Can BTR's go in to LHM because of low fluid?

[Sunboost]

Just finished dropping a motor in a EL only to find the box randomly going in to LHM. It did it when I got it started last night, but after resetting the ECU it stopped. When I jumped in this morning it went straight in to LHM again and then kept going in even if I re-started it.

It lost about a litre of fluid while we were fucking around getting the motor out and in. No easy way of re-filling an EL box Ceebs jumping under and un-doing bolts that haven't been undone in 14 years FML. Dipstick deletion FTL. Having said that, when it was driving normally last night it didn't act like it was low on fluid, smooth and consistent shifts.

No guesswork answers please, if you know of low fluid being a definitive cause let me know. I remember not long ago about 10 people told me there was definitely an O-ring in the back of EF/EL power steering pumps when there wasn't Anyways if I don't get an answer I'm off to get a fault test later on

[EFFalcon]

Based on my experience i'll say no.
However, If the low fluid is causing excessive transmission fluid temperatures then that can certainly cause it.

[Sunboost]

It can't be excessive temp when it's doing it on a cold start. I'll have to get a fault test done. **** my life.

[BBQBurner]

If the trans is slipping because it does have enough oil to hold the clutches it will slip, which will send the gearbox into LHM.

Low fluid level can also allow the trans fluid to aerate causing poor line pressure, which can allow the clutches to slip which will also send the gearbox into LHM

So yes low fluid will cause LHM


I'd be making sure all the electrical connector are seated properly before you take it for a fault test.
Wouldn't be the first time a plug wasn't click in properly.

[Sunboost]

Plugs were clicked in while the box was out, so they're done properly. I'll get some fluid in it then take it for the fault test if the prob continues. Cheers.

[Sunboost]

Fault test brought up S2 and S6. Here's hoping they've become sticky from sitting for 6 months, and it'll cure itself



THE ULTIMATE AUTOMATIC. ULTIMATE my foot,

[EFFalcon]

if i had a BTR like that one, i'd have it on display too

[InfernalTyrant]

So now that you've figured out the problem, I just wanna ask what limp home mode actually is/does?

[holmsy]

what....clean?

[Jake]

So now that you've figured out the problem, I just wanna ask what limp home mode actually is/does?

It locks in 3rd gear and doesn't down shift or up shift... to help make less heat or something to get it home i guess?? someone else who knows better can give more detail if they want


I've been noticing my car goes into limp home mode sometimes when I start it, I restart the car and it goes away... its happend about 3 times in the last couple of months... its not bothering me at the moment but what could be causing it? the box / car drive perfectly fine any other time...

[Sunboost]

So now that you've figured out the problem, I just wanna ask what limp home mode actually is/does?

It locks in 3rd gear and doesn't down shift or up shift... to help make less heat or something to get it home i guess?? someone else who knows better can give more detail if they want


I've been noticing my car goes into limp home mode sometimes when I start it, I restart the car and it goes away... its happend about 3 times in the last couple of months... its not bothering me at the moment but what could be causing it? the box / car drive perfectly fine any other time...

Yeah it's a Fail-Safe system designed in to the ECU to make the box stayed in 3rd gear with max line pressure and open converter. It normally kicks in when a Solenoid is throwing incorrect signals to the TCU / ECU or is unresponsive.

[InfernalTyrant]

Actually I remember that happening to Mum's old AU wagon once. I think it just went away and we forgot about it.

[misk]

LHM is also setup to be no power sent to either S1/S2 solenoids so the box will give enough operation to drive the car even with no power sent to the box at all.

have you done shit like cleaning the connectors on the looms?
ive driven mine plenty of times on low fluid (to the point it would slip in and out of gear) and never had it go into LHM, but did have it once with some dirty connections.

[galapogos01]

Get another ECU to try in it. If the solenoid faults were open circuit it could be the ECU driver circuit or the looms.

I'd also say that low fluid would cause LHM (or -like behavior), but it'd have to be very low.

[needfordspeed]

That pic was taken at Bayswater Automatics yeah? I always take a good look at it when I go there lol

[Sunboost]

I found it online Gundy haha. The box has plenty of fluid.

Will check the connectors and see what happens.

[holmsy]

tell ya what. nothin better then gettin a code scan.

had same issue few weeks back.
got a mate at a workshop to scan it (took 2 minutes)

said it was the speedo (even know speedo was working)
discovered speedo wire broken between dash and ecu.

[Sunboost]

LHM is also setup to be no power sent to either S1/S2 solenoids so the box will give enough operation to drive the car even with no power sent to the box at all.

have you done shit like cleaning the connectors on the looms?
ive driven mine plenty of times on low fluid (to the point it would slip in and out of gear) and never had it go into LHM, but did have it once with some dirty connections.

Champion random guess. Cleaning the connector and giving it a little twist has done the trick. One of the best BTR's I have owned, but it still jerks hard on the upshift after a thrash.. characteristic I guess

[josh_ef]

i would say yes,

auto in my 5 litre used to slip a bit and go into lhm often, i got it serviced and never had a problem untill i put the stall convertor in it.

[Sunboost]

^^ Read the post mate problem solved.

[misk]

i know this is thread mining but this came up when i searched something in google, so eat me.
i'd just like to point out that there was no champion guess work going on there... all skill, or something like that

[TUFEF]

Hey misk while your here... What would cause s6 solenoid to come up in a fault code when iv cleaned, tested and know it works? This may be a test from me for you... Haha and yes google didn't help me on this one.

[Sunboost]

Champion thread bump.

[misk]

dunno dude thats a funny one, have you swapped it out for a known working one?
the e-series/au ecus arent exactly smart and so can show shit as being faulty when they aren't.

ive got my own funky as **** gearbox issues going on, hence my google search bringing me here lol, i say manualise any btr thats not being used in a falcon. fuckin **** of a box without a lot of work in the tune.

[TUFEF]

Yeah i don't have a spare laying around. I think the ecu is just being a drama queen.

Cheers

[matsone]

S 6 solenoid can be affected by putting jack at back of drain tray it's very close and doesn't take much of a knock also the round connection has a o ring on it and feels like it's seated but needs a real push helped by some oil on o ring to get it home if it isn't pushed right in you will get s6 fault and ohm