206 Auto Gearbox Solonoid Change - Walkthrough anyone?

[phillipo]

Firstly, hello everybody.

My wife now has the 206 auto she always wanted, the only other pug I ever owned was an old 104 which I was quite fond of. Anyway, against my advice we now have this 206 which I believe requires upgraded solenoid valves (borg - warner) in the auto box, along with an ECU update and new ATF. Can anyone with sufficient knowledge provide some pointers on replacing these?

We are experiencing symptoms which seem to indicate this job needs doing. I am due to run a diagnostic soon when my mate brings his code reader over, but I am fairly sure the solenoids will need replacing. I intend to get the ECU updated afterwards for which Peugeot have quoted me £62

Any help would be received with much love.

[davidireland]

Most of the problems in this gearbox (AL4) are to do with the torque converter.
I have fitted solenoid valves to the valve chest in maybe three of them.
All I would say is make sure the problem is diagnosed correctly.
This gearbox is very weak.

[phillipo]

Hi, thanks for the reply, it is comforting to know that such learned people are here!

The symptoms of my particular problem are as follows:

Sudden shift into 3rd accompanied by a harsh knock

Sports/snow lights flashing alternately

I believe this is the limp home mode. At first this seemed to occur when doing 50 mph, it now seems to happen when climbing a fairly steep hill near my home.

I am still waiting on the code reader from my pal :-(

I am fairly technical, ex-computer/electronics industry and I do all my own MOT and maintenance no matter how big the job, I just need a bit of re-assurance and guidance on this particular job as I am fairly confident the diagnosis will point towards its necessity.

[phillipo]

Actually, I can see there are at least 18 different conditions which can lead to limp mode being called upon. Time to chase that code reader I think.

[phillipo]

oh well, in the absence of further advice I will update and share my findings. Maybe it could benefit somebody somehow.

I got the code-reader from my pal and strangely there appears to be no codes stored.
The "limp mode" problem stopped occurring for several days but has now returned. Further checks using the code reader are giving same result as before i.e no codes

I know that the AT fluid must be changed at some point and the oil counter must be reset. I also still believe that the solenoid valves will need replacing, and possibly remove the valve block to inspect/clean the ports and channels.

Can anybody enlighten me?
Are there any "check balls" to look out for if I detach the valve block?
I would hate to dislodge these and spend an eternity crawling around looking for them or lose one inside the gearbox.

[phillipo]

Well I seem to be going through a period of the problem occurring more frequently. There is no point in attempting to tackle the problem until I have more funds. I read somewhere that only Peugeot ATF fluid can be used but when I phoned my (very knowledgeable) parts supplier, he gave me a price for an equivalent from his book I presume at about £6 per litre.

Anybody there?

[Webby]

Originally Posted by phillipo

I know that the AT fluid must be changed at some point and the oil counter must be reset.

Oil counter? What's that?

[phillipo]

Well I expect I will be corrected if I am wrong. I read that the 'lubricated for life' AL4 auto box has a function (probably just an ecu program) whereby the age and temperature of the ATF fluid is monitored. I suspect that old oil may trigger a fault condition if it reaches a certain temperature.
After an ATF fluid change the ECU needs updating to tell it that the oil is new.

Like I said, this is what I have read somewhere.

[Webby]

Thanks for that Philip.

[elmafudd]

Originally Posted by phillipo

Well I expect I will be corrected if I am wrong. I read that the 'lubricated for life' AL4 auto box has a function (probably just an ecu program) whereby the age and temperature of the ATF fluid is monitored. I suspect that old oil may trigger a fault condition if it reaches a certain temperature.
After an ATF fluid change the ECU needs updating to tell it that the oil is new.

Like I said, this is what I have read somewhere.

You seem to know more than the rest of us about this gearbox mate...perhaps its a dealer issue....some things are......