Anyone sell me a horse!!!

[terbert]

ANYONE SELL ME A HORSE!!!!!!!
Most of you will have seen my Rover posts, and my Ford Courier diesel problems, to which you have supplied successful remedies, and to which I am most grateful.
I have now brought a Renault Laguna Estate that transported myself and Ozzy72 safely to Hendon and back.
HOWEVER now the SERV light is coming on randomly. When you stop and switch off, the ECU seems to reset, and on restarting all seems well. According to the book of words, this points to the AD4 Automatic transmission, as the light comes on by itself and not with another warning light. Can be ok for a few days, then on every five minutes. So, you say what is the problem with that. The problem is that when the light comes on, the transmission locks in 3rd gear until you switch off!!!!!!! According to the garage, because the light is intermitent, the ECU will not store memory faults, as it resets itself.

[Ivan]

get a non-electronnic diesel... like in a landie

[ozzy72]

Tony just get a sledgehammer and tell the car you'll give it some serious reworking if it doesn't play ball. I find this works

[zeberdee]

Hi Tony
First stay away from Renault auto boxes, they work with both electric and pnumatics, so give twice the problems of other auto boxes!!!!

The cheapest thing to try is all the electrical connectors to/from the gearbox make sure they are clean and making good contact, same with the fuse for the g/box.

Next I'm not sure if the Laguna has its own brain for the g/box, if it has then make sure the contacts are clean, also that it is DRY

Check the colour and smell the autobox oil, it should NOT smell burnt!! (not sure if it has it's own oil or uses the engine oil like early mini's did) the colour is cherry red, brown/red indicates age/burning.

After those it starts to get complicated, but those should help narrow down the problem and hopefully cure it. Regards Chris

[Craig.]

if its electrical, disconnect the battery completely and leave it like that for a while to reset the system completely. If you still get the warning and problems then its a real problem.

[quote]Should I be paying more than

[Woodlouse2002]

I suggest that you unplug the wire to the light.

[zeberdee]

I suggest that you unplug the wire to the light.

Or take the bulb out!! lol

Fifty quid is ok but only if there tax & tested

[Jared]

I suggest that you unplug the wire to the light.

Umm I don't believe the light is so much the problem as the transmission locking in 3rd..;-)

I had a similar situation with my 97 s-10 with the intermittent light coming on...

As my car has a manual transmission I'm not sure if my problem is anything like yours though...

Finally ended up taking my truck to the garage and it was a camshaft position sensor, crankshaft position sensor, and an ignition module...

when the light comes on is it typically early mornings on cold days? and does it act up more on wet days?

[Jared]

Also after the light comes on does it idle real bad when you come to a light and almost act as though it will quit running?

[terbert]

[terbert]

Have noted all the replies, guys, THANKS.  8)

Yes the transmission Does have its own 'brain'

Have noted in the Manual that if the electronics are disconected, after reconnection, the transmission 'no load/full load has to be vallidated on a computer or the warning light will come on randomly'. I am wondering if this is the problem, has it been disconnected, and not re-vallidated
Incedently, the locking in third gear is a 'Safe Mode' allowing the car still to be driven. Taking out bulbs does not apply
Latest update...going in to the garage Tues evening, and I ain't having it back till it works.

Update on Courier diesel...problem caused by a tiny hole in the rubber blanking cap on the No4 Injector. System full of air. Repair cost 44 pence + vat  and a tow behind the biggest lorry I have seen with ignition on, and in second gear.   Started in 50 metres.

Tony

[Jared]

Well at least it's all getting sorted out now..;-)