[PatrickJ]

Hello,

Any advice out there regarding a fault on a 2006 Clio III 1.4 16V auto gearbox? Has occasional tendency to slip into safe/limp mode and "check gearbox" warning light come on. Only happens early in the day, not (so far) when engine is hot. Stopping and restarting engine clears problem - until the next time. Gearbox oil topped up last week (had got a bit low). Renault garage suggests new automatic valve chest required, but this seems a bit drastic (and v. expensive).

Is it only likely to happen when engine is cold, and is there an easier (less expensive) fix? Car has only done 39K.

Thanks very much for any advice!

 

[robbier]

have the exact same problem with mine! albeit mines a mkII 99' T reg but i believe they all have the dpo type gearbox in them, only happens within the first 5 mins of driving, turning it off then back on again clears the problem, only very inconvenient! also find the gear changing very bumpy and not very smooth when cold also..

have you had the problem since having the gearbox oil topped up?

 

[bockovic]

Same situation with my 2002 Senic 1.6 16V. Auto gearbox error apear only in the morning when motor is still cold. Re-starting the motor clears the error.

Went to Renault service yesterday. They toped up the oil and did some testings. They said it is OK, but this morning same thing happened again. Anyone have any clues?
Is this dangerous error? Can I go on a summer holliday by car on a 1500km+ journey knowing there is something wrong with gearbox?

 

[robbier]

all i know about this (is what ive read on other posts and have rang a few auto gearbox specailist) is that it could be whats called the solinoid pack playing up, very common on the dpo gearboxes, however unsure how hard it is to sort out without specailist equiptment etc...

 

[johnr551]

I've heard of someone who had a similar problem when their transmission was cold, they changed their ATF fluid with Dexron VI with positive results I think the exact one they used was Carlube ATF-U. I think this is due to the fluid having a lower viscosity.

 

[robbier]

it does seem like the oil is too 'thick', however i thought all transfluids are the same viscosity? like i say when at full temperature its fine and changes gear very smooth, only when cold the gear changes are very lumpy and occasionally goes into limp mode like it gets stuck between a gear shift - ive got nothing to loose by trying d4 trans fluid, cheers!

 

[johnr551]

it does seem like the oil is too 'thick', however i thought all transfluids are the same viscosity? like i say when at full temperature its fine and changes gear very smooth, only when cold the gear changes are very lumpy and occasionally goes into limp mode like it gets stuck between a gear shift - ive got nothing to loose by trying d4 trans fluid, cheers!

Let us know how it works out

 

[samimiami]

Hi there, I have the same exact problem on my 2004 Renault Clio 1.4L 16V. I checked with a mechanic at the dealer and he sudgested some pressure valve as far as I recall, which seemed to be expansive.
I have been having this problem for around 3Years but still living with it.

 

[bockovic]

Well, I know it is the problem with valves and solenoids, but even replacement does not help sometimes. Not to mention it is pretty expensive.

I found on some other forum solution suggested from one guy. He suggest that you start driving in D2 and keep it under 3000 r/min until the engine reach working temperature. Then you can switch to normal driving. What is the difference in driving in D, D1 or D2 in any case? Is this correct: "D2 and D1: These modes are found on older Ford transmissions (C6, etc). In D1, all three gears are used, whereas in D2 the car starts in second gear and upshifts to third."? Would it cause a problem to start from second gear for long time?

Can you try this method and let us know? My father took the Senic on longer vacation, and I am driving Megane with manual gear box now, so I can not check it myself....

 

[DaRobba]

I have the Clio III auto and am experiencing the same problem - only in the mornings when the vehicle is cold. I took it in to a Renault mechanic and he advised that the ATF needed to be changed every so often - think he said every 4years or 60000km. My vehicle had only done 30000 km. Also said that the solenoid gets clogged up otherwise. So he changed the oil and replaced the solenoids and the problem was fixed and I could put foot right from the word go in the mornings - until the issue started again about four months later. It wasn't all that bad as earlier but the problem is back.

The repair cost me quite a bit but I was happy to pay of there problem was sorted.

So I am convinced that the problem is the type of oil. I will be taking the car back to the mechanic to see what he says as he guaranteed that there will be absolutely no issue.

What I can't understand is how Renault does not own up to being aware of this problem.

 

[robbier]

yes it did turn out to be an oil problem - i put some very high quality atf3 oil in it and since (fingers crossed) the light hasnt come back on! seems to drive alot better too

 

[DaRobba]

Thanks Robbier.
That's great to hear. When did you change the oil and how long have u been driving "problem free". Like. I mentioned I also changed the oil (quality was perhaps not so good) but the problem was back 4 months later.

I wonder what oil my mechanic Used. Will ask him.
The atf3 you speak off-is there a particular brand u can advise me and the forum. I am from South Africa and want to see what can be used.

 

[kuddly kaz]

I own a 2006 (56 plate) clio 1.6 vvt automatic and love my car but in case anyone else has the same problems.....
Not all the time but sometimes the car drove sweet as a nut and suddenly the dashboard lights up CHECK GEARBOX then clunks into safe or limp mode. Basically it stops all transmission. I used to stop, switch off the engine, wait till i counted to 10, turn the engine back on and into gear sweet as a nut. All the forums show negative feedback on the car and show mainly the "EVM Solonoid valve" inside the gearbox needs replacing. 2 local main agents show £862. to repair or £662 plus £96 diagnostic. My car has done less then 18,000 miles in 5 years so a bit upset at having to pay out this figure. Wests of Kings Lynn did a diagnostic and pleased to say their computors shows a software error and they simply updated it for the cost of the diagnostics. The fault shown was DF240 and 241 stored, solution 7347 applies, erased and checked and orad tested. all seems fine. Hope this is all it was, £96 instead of £662. On another positive note Renault UK offered to help towards the cost if it wass the EVM valve because of the low mileage so do not be afraid to contact the Main people. they will help if they can.

 

[s4r4h]

I have just had the same problem. I rang an Auto specialist garage, described the problem, he said this is so common and he does it all the time, some expensive valve in the gearbox needs replacing. Took it along to check and he said yeah sorry that's your problem.

Been changed and put Dextron VI in and all is happy now. He said it is best to get it done sooner than later as could lead to causing problems to the rest of the gearbox. I have a 12,000 mile garantee on the pesky valve!

I've only had my car a couple of months, gutted!

 

[DaRobba]

Hi everyone.
Since my last thread I spoke to the mechanic that replaced the solenoids and the oil and told him the problem is back. "Check Gearbox" in the mornings when engine is cold.

I also asked him about the oil he used and he said it was oil bought from Renault. Does anyone know if this oil is problematic?

He said that it's most probably a faulty temperature sensor then? Is this possible? Could someone explain before I waste more money? Could someone recommend something else.

@Robbier. Have you had any problems after changing the transmission fluid?

Thanks.

 

[DaRobba]

Can someone explain to me why this problem occurs in the mornings when the vehicle is cold? I have the same issue with my Clio III 05 /06 auto model. ATFand Solenoids were replaced 4500 miles ago and the problem is back again!!! Is there a temperature sensor that's faulty? It can't below ATF level surely after 4500 miles? Solenoids should still be fine after 4500 miles?What could the problem be!? Please help....

 

[kuddly kaz]

see what i did on previous problem, we thought it was a solonoid or evm valve but turned out on diagnostics that the computor software was faulty and upgraded the software and the car now runs as sweet as a nut.
do not part with your money to auto specialists untill you have a diagnostix....that £96 diagnostix could save you ££££hundreds

 

[DaRobba]

Took my car in again. Ran diagnostics. No issue picked up. Software upgraded as well. Still same problem. Mechanic says ATF is from Renault and is recommended.

Sooooo......isn't this just great.....another dead end.

 

[robbier]

sorry for the late reply only just noticed this thread! no the problem has not been back since and have probally been 6 months 2-3k miles? i think the reason why the problem is in the mornings or on first start up is because the oil is cold and alot thicker? one thing to try is when i had the problem its poodle it when its cold to let it warm up first, however this is not ideal if you have to boot it to join a motorway or duel carrageway! i think the atf i used was fully synthetic comma atf3 stuff around £18 for 5L, hard as it sounds but it might be an idea to fully flush the system as draining it and refilling it wont empty the torque converter and that holds alot of oil!

 

[DaRobba]

Hi everyone,
Thanks for the response.

@Kuddly thank you for the advice.
Just trying to understand how the software upgrade is linked to the inability of the vehicle to change gears in the morning. Almost like the software is corrupt and tells the vehicle "Ok gearbox, software is faulty, let's not change gears in the morning". I am struggling to understand this. Did the mechanics explain how this was possible?

@robbier
Do you perhaps know what oil renault uses for their auto gearbox so that I can ask the mechanic what oil he used. He said he got it from Renault and it was quite prices.

In trying to isolate my problem, If my two solenoids were changed, and so was the oil(whether it was flushed out am not sure-will find out) changed 6 months ago, a software upgrade done two weeks ago, and the problem still persists.......what next?

My plan is to take the vehicle to another mechanic to run a diagnostics. Is it possible that the oil needs another change AGAIN? Solenoids should be fine as there is no error codes coming up.

It amazes me how Renault have not bothered to fix this problem! How as a company can you have the odassity to continue selling these troublesome vehicles??? How unethical is this?