My EL's box has started slipping a bit every now and again, and I thought I'd get people opinions before it gets bad.
At the moment it only slips once every couple hundred km's or so. So it's still very bearable.

It seems to only slip in 4th, very suddenly like it completely lets go, but it's fine as soon as I let go of the throttle and re-apply, then it won't do it again for ages.
About 2000km ago it has had a full transmission service, the whole lot was changed, i.e. the radiator/trans cooler, filter, fluid.

Only thing I can think of is that the new fluid has cycled through the system and filled up the the new/ empty trans cooler and lines, therefore left box a little low on fluid.
So I'm gonna check the box' fluid level this weekend.
(stupid non dipstick design )

Any other suggestions??

Slipping in 4th has me thinking fluid levels. Go get it serviced - they can tell you if the S5 solenoid need changin or anything, and you'll get new fluid and filter to boot

But as I mentioned, its just been serviced....
How could I / should I have tested the S5 solenoid at the time?

It doesnt have a leak does it? - at the front perhaps? - or it may not have been filled correctly? - OR... the TPS may be wrong.

S5 would affect shift change more.

Most auto trans people can test the solenoids with a tester. Im told its a "good/no good" test

Nigel

I'd go for fluid level:

*Warm up trannie, drive for 10k's or so

*place car on a level ground, or jack up both ends and get level with support stands

*Idle engine, go thru gears, and place in park, leave engine running

*Look at drain hole, fluid should be just about to flow out of the hole

If you had all the fluid replaced, it would be a fair bet that they didn't get it all back in.

thanks for the replies guys, I'll check the fluid ASAP.

update on the box....

I noticed the pan was a bit wet so it is leaking a bit.
But as I undid the plug to check the level, black fluid poured out.

I can't understand how the fluid could be so burnt when it was changed only a couple thousand km ago, along with a new oil cooler/filter/gasket.

I'm starting to think the dodgy bastard who did it just reused the old fluid?? Pretty stupid if he did. But I can't think of any other reason why it would be so black.

Any ideas???

shouldn't be black at all after 2000k's, unless the trans has been heated up like a b**ch. Maybe he didn't do a full flush. But if its black he should of.

okay so I had the tranny serviced again.

Not only was fluid dark black, it also looks like it was over filled.

So now with the fluid & filter replaced, the car has been driving very well apart from ONCE the symptom returned today.

It mainly only happens when cruising on the highway/freeway at about 100kph, just lets go of 4th completely but fixes up straight way, as soon as I back off and re-apply the throttle.

Very strange.
I wonder if there is an issue with the supposed new oil cooler, maybe its not cooling as it should or has a blockage and the tranny's heating up excessively?

Or maybe something electronic (other than solenoids as they were checked). Is there a separate computer for the transmission?

completely similar symptom as my friends EL XR8. It was like letting go of the 4th gear and if you don't take your foot from accelerator it revs up to about 4000rpm then re-engage with a big thump from the back. He went to Peter Warren ford and they diagnosed the transmission having faulty temperature sensor. If i remember it correct it was code 614. This thermistor is hidden in the wiring loom inside the tranny and to replace it you have to drop the valve body.

I think he went to Transmission specialist to replace the whole wiring loom for about $150.

I hope this helps.