E30 Zone

My 86 eta has an auto box, and it wont engage into 4th gear.

During highway driving, when it is supposed to change to 4th, it seems as though its in neutral, as there is no load on the engine when coasting at high speeds, also, when I put my foot down the revs go higher, but the car does not change speed until the rpms hit a certain point, then it is like a kick in the back.

am i right in saying my gearbox is busted?

sounds like it but before you panic..
firstly have you cheked the fluid level? (there is a procedure to check the level not just a case of pulling the dip stick out, (IIRC run the car for five mins, then move the selector through all positions a couple of times, then with engine running (box in P - park) remove the dip stick and check the level) also check the condition of the oil, it should be reddish but certainly not brown and smelling burnt, chnge the oil and filter (one hour job on your own but you need torx drives)
2nd is it a switchable auto?? (it will have the 123-E-S switch next to the shifter), if so check the connections on the control unit (its in the boot on the left) if still a problem try and swap the control unit for a working one

if these are not the problem then could be the torque convertor (change it)or a blocked govenor (open the box and clean- requires know how) .. or a new box.... manual conversion is n ormally the cheapest option!!

mrlee

Thanks for your help, just checked the oil and it seems okay, its not a switchable auto, so ill get the torque converter and the other thing checked tomorrow.

thanks again