auto box changing to fifth at 60 mph

Need technical Q/A then you're in the right place

Moderator: martauto

Post Reply
User avatar
domkolo
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 437
Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2010 11:00 pm

Mon Nov 21, 2011 10:32 am

scince the last time my mechanic was doing something on my car the box only changes into 5th at 60 mph regardless of how light my foot is on the accelerator,

he was playing with the accelerator cable and the other cable next to it, whatever that is, would that have something to do with it?

its a 1.8i auto if thats any help. just wanted to see what the problem is and how to sort it as i plodding along in 4th gear wasting petrol at 50mph.
User avatar
Kos
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 15546
Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: London / Cyprus
Contact:

Mon Nov 21, 2011 10:53 am

What car is this in ?

Every e30 I've come across has 4sp autos
PUKAR DESIGNS - Reproduction BMW Decals Labels Sticker & Number Plates
www.pukardesigns.com
www.facebook.com/pukar.designs/
IG Pukar.Designs
darkchild
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2730
Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Kingston 12

Mon Nov 21, 2011 10:54 am

No 5th gear but you should feel the torque converter lock up at 53mph.
User avatar
domkolo
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 437
Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2010 11:00 pm

Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:12 am

oh right, well i'm cruising at 50mph in 3rd then,

i thought it was 5 gears. what a idiot, it just seems to keep revving until 3500rpm then changes into top gear at 60mph
User avatar
andyp
True Old Skooler
Posts: 6899
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: LONDON

Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:22 am

reset and adjust all the cables he messed about with .
User avatar
domkolo
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 437
Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2010 11:00 pm

Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:41 am

That's all well and good if i could remember how they were before,

I|'ll have to do a bit of trial and error i guess, I was just seeing if anyone knew how they should be correctly.
User avatar
greengoblin
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 28
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 11:00 pm
Location: essex

Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:33 pm

mine changes at 50 mph for top gear
darkchild
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2730
Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Kingston 12

Tue Nov 22, 2011 8:14 am

greengoblin wrote:mine changes at 50 mph for top gear
I doubt it does. Its the lock up clutch engaging - creating a solid drive and in effect giving you fifth gear and better economy.
User avatar
greg124
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 668
Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: In the pub

Tue Nov 22, 2011 10:09 am

It's not actually a fifth gear though. The torque converter locking up removes the efficiency losses you get by driving via fluid ( I don't mean through a puddle) so you get better mpg.
Mine locks up at low 50s mph.
I can measure the free play in the relevant cables later today, if that would help?
Schadenfreude - the German's haven't got a word for that.
User avatar
gerrythegerbil
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 72
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2007 11:00 pm

Sat Dec 10, 2011 5:05 pm

is it mechanical/fluid pressure that locks up the convertor or is it electrical?
Post Reply