Hi,

Just got a problem with my EF Falcon. A little hard to explain but here goes. Whilst driving my car in economy mode at a constant 60km/h it won't go into 4th (overdrive) (no aircon on) It stays in third. At 65km/h it still won't change. The only time it will change is at exactly 70km/h and above. But when driving in Normal mode it will change into overdrive at 60km/h without any problems. Just wondering if anyone could help me out. I took the car to a mechanic, he told me it was a c4 clutch??? can't really remember the term but he quoted me $2200 to fix. This guy didn't really sound that he knew what he was talking about but he said no engine/trans fault codes came up.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I don't see the problem.Power mode leaves the shift till latter and ECO mode changes up into top earlier to save fuel (yeh right).If its changing gears smoothly etc., then its OK.

Sounds a little strange, mine will go into 4th below 70, but no biggie, certainly not worth 2200, could buy a reco tranny for that much, maybe have a look at the inhibitor switch.

Get a second opinion from another transmisson specialist, if he doesn't seem know what he's talking about.

Your transmission certainly seems like its behaving a*** about.

I think the mechanic is pretty close into identifying your problem.
3-4 Shift valve is used for 3-4 and 4-3 shifts. Switching of this valve is done directly by solenoid #1 which is located at the end of the valve. This valve also switches during 1-2 and 2-1 gearshift where its function is to apply the overrun clutch (C4) in 2nd gear but to release it in 1st gear.

$2200 is a rip off. It might not be your C4 clutch but rather simply replacing your S1 solenoid.

Hey, Thanks for your help guys, I'll take it to a transmisson specialist for a second opinion. Seems to drive fine in normal/power mode. Just wanted some advice so that I didn't cause any damage by driving it if it was a problem that could result in further problems/damage. But I'll be sure to get another opinion.

mine only goes into 4th on 70kph. it's weird that it would go into 4th earlier in power mode, but just leave it on econ. not a biggie, definitely not 2200 worth.

Sounds like your S1 is cooked (always on). Here are the behavior of BTR97LE and BTR93LE transmission based on solenoid fault condition.

Solenoid 1
- Always OFF
2nd gear instead of 1st gear and
3rd gear instead of 4th.
This results in 2nd gear start.
- Always ON
1st gear instead of 2nd and
4th gear instead of 3rd.
This result in 1-4 shift as the vehicle accelerates from rest.

Solenoid 2
- Always OFF
4th gear instead of 1st and
3rd gear instead of 2nd.
This result in 4th gear start.
- Always ON
2nd gear instead of 3rd and
1st gear instead of 4th.
This results in a 1-2 then 2-1 (overrun) downshift as the vehicle accelerates from rest.

Solenoid 3
- Always OFF
The following shift becomes poor. 1-3, 1-4, 2-1, 2-3, 2-4, 4-2, 4-1.
- Always ON
The following shifts becomes poor. 3-4, 4-3, 3-2
There may be slippage in the gears during torque converted locking

Solenoid 4
- Always OFF
The following shifts becomes poor. 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 2-3, 2-4, 3-1, 3-2, (All Including Manual), 3-4, 4-1, 4-3.
- Always ON
The following shift becomes poor. 2-4, 3-2. There may be slippage in the gears during torque converter locking.

Solenoid 6
- Always OFF
Line pressure always high
- Always ON
Line pressure always low this resulting in risk of slippage in gears.

Solenoid 7
- Always OFF
Torque converter always unlocked.
- Always ON
Torque converter always locked in 3rd abd 4th gears.

Solenoid 5
- Tranmission adops its Limited Operation Strategy (LOS) i.e 3rd gear, unlocked and high line pressure.

get a manual.

try unpluging the throttle position sensor plug and putting some of that special conductive grease on the contacts. thats what was wrong with mine when it would'nt shift properly many moons ago.
Thats the easiest and cheapest thing to try first !

Sorry sorry sorry, but when you have econ mode on, at 80km/h or 100km/h, the revs are ALWAYS lower than in power mode (albeit with more throttle to keep it there)

So sit at 60 in power mode, should do about 1250 revs.

I fail to see how the car can sit at 60 at less revs than that, ie, econ mode. therefore it sits in 3rd at a more comfortable rev point.

Basically, it is just to keep it happily turning over, mine is exactly the same, there is no issue

mine is the same, it never worried me....

my car is same to, the only thing with mine is that i get my gearbox slamming into gear and i don't even have a shift kit. What can cause this?

Seems normal to me. You'll find in economy mode that instead of shifting to 4th at 60km/h, it will use 3rd in lockup mode, and continue into 4th with lockup at 70km/h depending on how you're driving. With economy off it will shift into 4th at 60km/h and go from there. Don't take my word for it of course, this is just an observation I've made with my car, and it could very well be different in other EF's. The torque feels great when it's in lockup. haha

birdie83 i might be a bit late on this but you may have found that your ecu was a 4dce which doesnt show up much but they were fitted to the police pack i infact had the same thing till i went to find another computer cos mine was playing up. to add they are the pick of the bunch if you want to try it out they actually dont have a rev limit and open as in non speed limited