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Renault Scenic 2 auto gearbox problem and garage recommendation

103K views 15 replies 13 participants last post by  DaveFife 
#1 ·
Hi All. Problem with the auto gearbox in my Scenic, which I purchased about 1.5 years ago, and led me here so hope some body can help me.

My 05 2 litre Grand Scenic often get into limp home mode where the gearbox does not shift beyond second with a gearbox/electrical fault displayed on the console. If I were to switch off the engine and on again, that seems to clear the fault and I can drive normally. During normal driving, the gearbox is very hesitant to shift up and I normally use the semi auto gear shift to change.

Now, I have search the forum and it seems like a common problem just like this thread.

http://www.renaultforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1832&highlight=auto+gearbox

My questions are:

1. What exactly is the problem with gearbox? Is it the hydraulic bearing?

2. Was there ever a recall for this issue? As the warranty is long over I am guessing the repair cost for the auto box is going to be quite high.

3. I live in Glasgow and the local Renault dealer -Arnold Clark- is quite expensive and I would rather go to a cheaper independent specialist. Any recommendation is welcome.

Thanks.
 
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#2 ·
Hello,

without plugging your car into a diagnostics machine I cannot say for 100% certain what is wrong with the auto gearbox but your car is fitted with I am pretty certain a 4 speed DPO torque converter autobox, although it may be a Nissan JATCO autobox. They are a more reliable box then the mk1 scenic auto boxes, but the most common failure is the EVM solonoid valves can pack up and would cause the lumpy shifting and limp mode you refer to. How much is Arnold Clark Charging. I cannot reccomend any specific garage to you, but your best bet would be to take the car to an automatic gearbox specialist someone who is a member of FATE. Go onto www.fedauto.co.uk for more info.

Harry.
 
#3 ·
I have a similar problem with my 2005 model Grand Scenic.
I replaced the EVM solenoids, and this fixed it for a few weeks, but then the problem slowly came back again.

But the problem only occurs after the car has been left for a period of time ... over-night for example.

If I let the car run for a while (3 to 5 minutes) before driving off, no problem at all. And will continue to work just fine every time I use it, until I leave it for 4 or 5 hours without using it.

Was wondering if there could be a non-return valve in the fluid line somewhere which is leaking ? So requires time to rebuild pressure before working again properly ?

And it does seem to be a common problem with this particular model. My friend has exactly the same car, and his does it too. He has had the EVM solenoids replaced a few times, the gearbox has been out, and some "pan" in the middle of it has been cleaned, the fluid has been replaced several time etc etc. This always fixes it ... for a while, and then the problem comes back. Luckily his car is still covered by Renault warranty (the problems first ocured during the warranty period), so he's not having to pay for all this yet. Mine isn't.

Not sure if it is relevant, but the cars are in Malaysia ... so not the typical European climate :)

Any suggestions, theories etc etc most welcome. Its getting really annoying ...

Thanks, Mark
 
#4 ·
Having read this and other forums on this auto gearbox problem I am not at all clear about whether I should be bothering to get mine 'fixed' or not. It sounds as if I would be spending £500 + in order to see a repeat of the problem at some point in the future. Is this problem dangerous or just inconvenient? Will the car be wrecked if I do nothing, or will it just carry on being an annoying issue I have to accommodate? Any comments on these questions will be most welcome.
 
#5 ·
We have a 2005 Scenic 1.6 petrol auto, yesterday it started dropping out of gear as I was driving at about 70 kmph. I pulled over and set off again and it did it again. I have spoken to several local Renault garages and none of them will even take a look at it because it is auto.

Today I have driven it, including on the motorway, without any problems. We are on the Spanish/Portuguese border and I spoke to a dealer in Portugal today who told me to take it to the dealer in Faro, where they will take the box out and ship it to Holland for repair!!!

Am I likely to damage it further by continuing to drive it and is there anything I can do to try and resolve it ie check gearbox oil etc etc
 
#6 ·
Hello Spin - did you ever get to the bottom of how to fix this permanently? My car does not change up (seems random when this is .. about every 2 weeks on average) and is immediately fixed by pulling over and turning the car off for a couple of minutes.

Hello Artistjsb - what did you decide to do in the end? I am also reluctant to spend £500 of a temporary fix and am considering just trading the car in.
 
#7 ·
Our car is 2006 Scenic II 2.0 Auto with 60,000 miles.

The car has started to show the same fault on the dashboard - "Electrical Fault", "Check Gearbox".

Having left the car overnight, I have started the car the next morning to find that the fault warning has cleared from the dashboard and the car drives as normal. I have rang the local Renault garage who tell me that I would need to let them see the car when the problem occurs and that they "would then do some homework on the issue".

Can anyone tell me if they fixed the problem and what was replaced on the car to clear what appears to be a fairly common fault.
 
#8 ·
It was an EMV solenoid. It cost just under £500 to get repaired at a main dealer. The garage did a computer diagnostic first for £40. I was very unimpressed when I saw the printout (which took some persuading to get) - do it before you hand over the £40 that costs if you want to see it. I did call another Renault garage ... the receptionist did same trick about have to have a diagnostic at the garage before we could quote but as I had the diagnostic in my hand and could quote a reference number or two I managed to get past her and talk to lead technician there. They would have charged even more. Basically its £100 for the parts and £400 plus for the labour. However, it has fixed it, although I think it is still a bit slower than before to change up. Sorry thats not particularly good news for you! I did call an independent gearbox specialist but they were a bit reluctant. Good luck.
 
#12 ·
Renault Dealers along with most other Main Dealers must be rubbing their hands with glee these days - waiting for the next poor bloke to come in and say my auto gearbox is faulty. I have repaired 2 x slight damaged salvage 2008 Kangoo 1.6 automatics - one 9 months old / 2,500 miles from new, one 6 months old /500 miles from new, and a 3rd Kangoo for parts to fix the other two - 9 months old/ 1,800 miles. My family have now run the 2 repaired ones for 4 years, and BOTH cars ever since virtually new have been reluctant to change up when driving uphill - in my opinion - preferring to rev to about 4,000 rpm before thinking about changing up. It is probably a design issue - but I could always go down to the Renault dealer and give them a bucket full of cash to fit various new parts they say I desperately need. Instead, on the off chance that something may really go wrong, I have kept the 1,800 mile auto gearbox just in case. I think I accept that some things just dont function the same way in every car.
 
#13 ·
Renault Grand Modus 2010

2 weeks ago I was driving when my car jolted me forwards and a 'check gearbox' sign came up. After restarting car it drove fine so I just put it down to a one off fault. This afternoon it happened again and after restarting the light disappeared. My car is not under warranty anymore and I am very worried as the common issue in most threads seems to be costing over 500 pounds. Could this issue cause further damage to my car if I do not do anything about it?
 
#15 ·
Re: Renault Grand Modus 2010

2 weeks ago I was driving when my car jolted me forwards and a 'check gearbox' sign came up. After restarting car it drove fine so I just put it down to a one off fault. This afternoon it happened again and after restarting the light disappeared. My car is not under warranty anymore and I am very worried as the common issue in most threads seems to be costing over 500 pounds. Could this issue cause further damage to my car if I do not do anything about it?
I wish that someone would be brave enough to answer the last part of this post. I know that it's not possible because some idiot would sue or something but, can anyone say how long they have been driving a car with this fault without any further issues occurring?
 
#14 ·
As the owner of a 2001 scenic auto and had the usual problem of dropping gears,over revving engine,lose of electrical power,this happened on the m5 on a busy Monday morning,managed to get to the services,a friendly AAman said probably the alternator not charging making the electrics throw a wobbly,so replaced it with a good second hand one,happy days,either I was lucky or possible new remedy,Renault would probably say a new gearbox
 
#16 ·
Re: Renault Grand Modus 2010

Hi caroleuk :))

I can't promise anything for yours, but we have been living with this for a couple of years now...
But I must say, we are getting a bit ****ed off :))
It's a Renault Megane Scenic, 2006 ish, bought 2.5 years ago...
When cold, within 2 miles it will change gear and throw you forward, then refuse to change back to top. Says "Check Gearbox". Pull over, stop, start, and OK again. More recently it's started doing it twice, but never (touch wood) problems when warmed up.
My guess is not enough oil, or too thick or thin oil. May try it out, may replace it... Or may just grumble on :))

Good Luck All :))

Dave :))
 
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