HELP! (300TE Automatic Gearbox Problem)

[Andy C]

Car is 1992 300 TE - Automatic with E/S switch and P/R/N/D/3/2 gearbox.

Tried to select reverse from drive position at the weekend and just got a loud CLUNK - won't select any gears now inc P - seems to be permanently in neutral. I hoped it would be a "physical" problem but linkage seems OK on checking underneath and moves as you operate gear selector - any pointers or should I just apply for the bank loan now!!!!!!

 

[Ian B Walker]

Check out the electrical plug on the opposite side of the selector mech on the box. It may have come adrift.

 

[television]

Check that you have not broken a drive shaft or prop, very easy to do. does the car roll in park.

Malcolm

 

[Andy C]

Yes - as if permanently in neutral!

 

[Blobcat]

Sounds as Malcolm has it with a broken drive or propshaft

 

[television]

Yes - as if permanently in neutral!

Yes , well at least its a simple fix and cheap to do, second one in the last 2 months.

malcolm

 

[Andy C]

How can I check this - would I be able to see from under the car?

 

[panason1c]

How can I check this - would I be able to see from under the car?

My suggestion would be to have someone sit in the car with their foot firmly on the brake and handbrake also applied, have the car running in 'drive' at a fairly fast idle while at the same time you look underneath the car, you need to look at the extreme rear of the gearbox where you should see the drive flange rotating...if it is rotating then television's (malcolm) diagnosis of a broken propshaft or driveshaft is correct.

Basically, if you see ANYTHING rotating when you look underneath then that is relatively good news....because at least it means your gearbox is likely to be undamaged.


EDIT.....Probably stating the obvious but... DO NOT follow the above procedure without someone SAT IN THE CAR WITH THEIR FOOT ON THE BRAKE.....

 

[television]

My suggestion would be to have someone sit in the car with their foot firmly on the brake and handbrake also applied, have the car running in 'drive' at a fairly fast idle while at the same time you look underneath the car, you need to look at the extreme rear of the gearbox where you should see the drive flange rotating...if it is rotating then television's (malcolm) diagnosis of a broken propshaft or driveshaft is correct.

Basically, if you see ANYTHING rotating when you look underneath then that is relatively good news....because at least it means your gearbox is likely to be undamaged.


EDIT.....Probably stating the obvious but... DO NOT follow the above procedure without someone SAT IN THE CAR WITH THEIR FOOT ON THE BRAKE.....

Thank you Mr Panasonic, I could not think of a safe way this morning.

Malcolm

 

[panason1c]

Cheers Malcolm......

Just an after thought........ if the prop and drive shafts are ok then it's probably the diff thats failed.

 

[Andy C]

Looked under car in drive and back left shaft spinning but rhs not - at least it looks as though gearbox is not the problem - driveshaft broken? Arranged to have car taken in Wednesday and will keep posted. Thanks for all your help!

AC

 

[panason1c]

Looked under car in drive and back left shaft spinning but rhs not - at least it looks as though gearbox is not the problem - driveshaft broken? Arranged to have car taken in Wednesday and will keep posted. Thanks for all your help!

AC

Yep, Shaft broken or shaft/hub spline stripped. (The one that's spinning that is)

 

[Blobcat]

Agreed, did the same to a Series III Land Rover.

 

[Andy C]

Update - it was the propshaft - now replaced and car is fine - thanks again for the advice!

AC

 

[panason1c]

Update - it was the propshaft - now replaced and car is fine - thanks again for the advice!

Looked under car in drive and back left shaft spinning but rhs not - at least it looks as though gearbox is not the problem - driveshaft broken? Arranged to have car taken in Wednesday and will keep posted. Thanks for all your help!

AC

Fixed....Good to hear!

Just a small point ...Based on your previous post (above)...Are you sure it wasn't the driveshaft broken?....and not the propshaft.....

 

[television]

Fixed....Good to hear!

Just a small point ...Based on your previous post (above)...Are you sure it wasn't the driveshaft broken?....and not the propshaft.....

Its all the same really, it depends which way you are laying and looking up.

Malcolm

 

[panason1c]

Its all the same really, it depends which way you are laying and looking up.

Malcolm

Not really!.....from a mechanics point of view - there's a world of difference between a propshaft and a driveshaft...ask any mechanic...