Mend > Cars

How can I fix my '96 Renault Laguna RT 2.0 automaic gearbox?

The car changes from first to second o.k.
When changing from second to third there is an "over-rev" and after 10 seconds or so in third the service light comes on and I'm stuck in "limp home" mode.
If I stop the car and restart the light goes off but the same thing happens when it changes from second to third.
I have changed the gearbox oil, I got about 3.5 litres out of the sump and I added 3.5 litres back in per Haynes manual. This didn't fix it.
Is it possible that the clutch is slipping due to lack of oil ? The Haynes manul says"From dry" 4.6 litres, "drain and fill" 3.5 litres. Would it do any further harm to add an additional 0.5 litres?
I had the car at a Renault dealers for a diagnostic test before when the car was doing the same thing more than a year ago and they said I needed a new gearbox. I later found out that vent pipes from the crankcase to the airfilter were blocked with yellow "goo" and when this was cleared the apparent gearbox problem cleared-up!! So I'm a bit sceptical about the auto gearbox expertise of my local renault dealer!!!
Thanks.

Ian Ringland
January 2006

Renault Renault RT 2.0 Vehicles, Cars Renault Gearbox Automatic

Thanks Richard. As the car would be worth £450 if it was in good condition and I'm looking at probably £500 worth of work (assuming I could source a 2nd hand/ reconditioned box as new ones seem to be approx. £1000!!!), it looks like the cars a gonner.
Just passed it's MOT 2 weeks ago and has served me well for 7 years. Oh well!
Thanks again, Ian

Ian Ringland
February 2006

Hello sounds like a very common problem i see a lot on this type of car with that type of gearbox.
If it was low on oil it would not pick up drive or reverse properly or pull away from a stop.
The common problems are the valve body wears out,they brake a sealing ring inside the gearbox causing oil pressure leak off making it slip or flare on the 2 to 3 up-shift,they also break the ruuber moulded pistons that apply the wet clutch,s for the gears.
So from what you say with out see,ing the car i would say your gearbox is faulty and needs re-conditioning or replacing im afraid.
Richard Butler
rbtransmissions@aol.com

Richard
January 2006