A341e (30-41e) Problems

[DragonEddy]

Hi,

1stly i would like to thank everyone for all the information that I acquired here over the last year, it really helped with my build.

A few months ago I finished my build. 1uzfe+A341e into a 1978 MK2 Ford Escort. The cars runs like a dream, relatively light on fuel and always good to turn a few heads.

Friday I went to buy a 1uzfe VVTi for another project I started, I used my escort and towed the new VVTi+5 speed on a small trailer, i didn't think it would be a problem.

On the way back there is a loooong hill and i hit some bad traffic on it, when i got to the top I lost 3 and 4th gear. When the TCU tries to select 3 and 4th its like the far is suddenly in neutral. I got home and let everything cool down.

Went for a drive again, 1st(perfect), 2nd(perfect), 3rd(the transmissions still stays in 2nd but its now no longer in neutral), 4th(no drive, neutral?). When i poped my head under the car there was ATF all over the place, i had a very small leak at one of the corners but it was like 1-3drops per night, it seems the heat/pressure forced this leak open.

So I pulled the sump pan, clean everything inside, rinsed the solenoids in break cleaner and put everything pack.

Went for a drive again, 1st( perfect...and with cleaned solenoid it was much smoother to switch from part to 1st), 2nd(very smooth transfer), 3rd( still second, no change) 4th( no change, still neutral). Also after the drive I see there is ATF coming from inside the bell housing.

I will be pulling the transmission this weekend, does anyone have any suggestions of what I can check or do to fix my problem, or did i screw up real bad and need to buy a new transmission? Would i be able to fix the A341e with spares i can strip out of the 5speed from the VVTi(dont know what model, still wrapped in plastic)

Oh, I am running aftermarket TCU, very popular brand here in south africa.

Damn..sorry for the long post, I hope some one can help.

 

[krayn]

What switches your trans soinoids? Check and make sure the solinoids have the correct power input for the selected gear. Do you have a trans cooler? Sounds Like the torque convertor seal is bad, possibly from over heating. Was the oil in the trans pan dark red and smelt burn twhen you droped the pan.
Cheers kris

 

[DragonEddy]

I do have a cooler and I will check the voltages to the solenoid wires, I have LED's connected to them so i can see in what gear i am in, that still works so i think the voltage should be ok, i will check.

The oil was a bit darker but didn't smell burn, its been in the box for 2000km and its the 1st time the pan was removed, so i think the color is normal.

Is the torque converter seal the one that is where the transmission meets the torque converter? That seal i replaced when i did the initial conversion because it was leaking bad.

Thanx for the advice, i will test tmrw after work,

 

[krayn]

Sound like there is an issue inside the trans or torque convertor. Possibly why it was taken off the road.
I would be really suprised if many parts from the 5 speed woud fit in the 4 speed. Try and find a replacement trans.
Cheers Kris

 

[DragonEddy]

Hi,

How distinctive is the smell of burn ATF type V? The ATF i took out of the box smells like ATF but the clean ATF I still have in the can has a more "petroleum" smell to it.

I spoke to some supplier of new transmissions about known problems. They told me that there is some sort of plastick bush/gasket that holds the 3/4 gear clutch in place ( or something like that ) and if the transmissions get to hot or runs without enouth ATF that can melt away.

Does that make any sense?

I think I will go get a new transmission, they don't go for that much, but would just like to know if what they told me is true.

Thanks

Dirk

 

[krayn]

Sounds possible. I dont know much about the internals. Still learning.
The trans oil goes dark color when burnt. The type 4 stuff wont be a lot different to normal trans oil.

 

[Zuffen]

Assuming the transmission had a bad front seal leak the damage could have been done before you used it but towing the other vehicle pushed it over the edge.

As Kriss said, find another trans, much cheaper than trying to rebuild this one.

There should be a few over there from guys on this site.

Try PMíng some of your local (South African) mates.

 

[DragonEddy]

hmm...previous damage...now i remember the transmission used to make funny sounds when i first got the car running.

Well thanx for all the info, i am pickup my new A341e tmrw and doing the transplant on the weekend.

I will take appart the current one, maby i learn somehing

regards

Dirk

 

[DragonEddy]

ok...new transmission is in, but...there is always a but.

Is there a way to test if a solenoid is working without taking off the oil pan? I think my solenoid A is dead...or the wiring isn't working( I hope)

When i Pull off there is no power but if i put the transmission in 1 with the selector it pulls like normal.

So at the moment I got a manual automatic I pull away in 1, the switch to 2 then to Drive because 3 is b solenoid only and 4 is both solenoids off.

 

[Bushwhacker]

Check your wiring for the speed sensor on the right in this photo, it controls the gear shifts.

Also, make sure the transmission cable is not too tight.

 

[Bushwhacker]

Any videos of your 1UZ Escort?




(Can't edit my posts)

 

[DragonEddy]

Check your wiring for the speed sensor on the right in this photo, it controls the gear shifts.

On my aftermarket computer i can plug in my laptop and see if it picks up the speed. The computer also has LED's that shows on/off of solenoid A/B, those are working and the computer displays speed that matches the speedo.

Any videos of your 1UZ Escort?

I got one, but its basically just for the sounds, then tons of photos of the build, i need a place to upload them to...