Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Hello guys:

My motor packed up last weekend on the way back from Dullstroom.

Have already pulled it out and found some very nasty surprises.

I still have to get to the bottom of the cause.

Also have small drive train problem here it goes:....

Durring our last long trip I added some ATF.
Not sure if it is the root cause but let me explain.

On cold start i battle to find gears, but as soon as box warms up everything fine.
Last weekend cold started let it idle for some minutes and then put in drive, was standing on small incline and couldnt get the girl to move up not even in low. This argument was lost, free wheeled down and then drove for about 2KM till box was warm, problem disapeared.

Latter the same day went through bit of water and mud ( small stream ) cold water on box and problem back imediatly, had to idle away for about 5 minutes. This is very frustrating.

Found the Manuals in the link section. Thanks a lot this will be a great help.

But if any body have any ideas let me know, I can have the box and torque converter checked while i am bussy.

Best Regards
Jaco and Swambo

Jaco, just made a posting about my transmission. Mine slips in 3rd when cold. Had the box pulled out recon done and put back. Had the computer reset and the problem is still there, when the box is cold. I am having the computer reset again, if it does not work, the advice is to replace the ECU for the transmission as they suspect it is an electrical or ECU problem. The box was reconned, so they (mechanics) feel that it is electronic. Once I have it reset and/or replcaed the ECU, I will let you know.

Hi Jaco,
I suggest you check first what ATF you have in your box as these are very touchy for different oils. I use Mitsu spec Diaqueen and no problems. Maybe you should have a look at the Torque Converter first.
Hope this helps

I just got my Pajero back after my 100,000km service from HELL. I will leave that for my other posting. My gearbox is the V5A51. I have managed to get the workshop manuals and troubleshooting manuals for pretty much my whole vehicle, so when the mechanic tells me what is wrong, I can actually go and look at what it is and how to fix it. My box, after a heavy load, started struggling to go into 'D' when cold. When I drove it did not want to go into 3rd and/or it slipped out of 3rd. What happens in my case was that when it needs to change to 3rd, it does not go into the gear, and the Pajero thus dips and the gearbox then goes into neutral. Almost as if no petrol is getting to the engine, which is not the case. I switch it off and start up again and when it is hot, the problem is gone. So I took it in and I was told there is a lot of clutch material in the sump. Had it serviced, hoping the problem will go away, but it did not.
Mechanically, when the computer indicates that the gears need to change, in a split second, the shaft is braked, the clutch engaged (my box has 6) and the valve engages the gear. The computer will brake the shaft until the gear engages. So if the gear dose not engage, it holds the shaft. What normally then happens, is the safety features kick in and the box goes into neutral. Not knowing all of this and only reading the manual after, what eventually happened in this happening a couple of times, one of the components actually snapped. A 3.5 engine pushes hard on that shaft.
I had the box reconned and the component fixed. Had it run through the computer and the box memory was cleared and no faults identified. Got it back and the exact same thing again. Took it back as it was worse. I was told that they would be taking out the valve box as they think the valves are getting stuck. They tested the valves and five of them were not working as they should be. They were getting stuck because of all the clutch material. So the valve box was stripped, cleaned and the filled slightly. Pajero came back yesterday and no problems.

Thanks guys: I nearly felt neglected and forgot my pasword.

I will try this weekend to drain the oil and clean filter. ( still not sure where to find it but will try)

Since i got the old girl going again leak from front of gearbox into the bell housing. Not sure why but it still drive.

I have a Lexus outo box standing by if i dont get it right but we need to go and camp first.

There is only one winter in a year and my toes tell me it is here. So hold thumbs that we make it there and back.

The old box will have to tow our " boskaya" and all the fly-fishing gear.

With all this talk of ECU and computer related problems i get very nervous.
What will happen if i chuck the whole unit and go Spittronic on the LExus gearbox controller. I have the Spittronics on the motor already, and piggybacking back to Mitsh. ECU.

I believe that this gearbox controler will also work on the original Mitsh. box , mate of mine installed it after his conversion and no problems. Cost of unit +- 2800-00.

Had a qoutation for doing the Mitsh. box and replacing the clutches ( i also have a bit of material in my oil ) and it came down to rougthly 18 000-00 with no fixed results. I dont have that kind on bucks so LExus @2000-00 doesnt sound that bad. Dont mind bloody knuckels and mud in the eyes that much?

gerald randall wrote:I was told that they would be taking out the valve box as they think the valves are getting stuck. They tested the valves and five of them were not working as they should be. They were getting stuck because of all the clutch material. So the valve box was stripped, cleaned and the filled slightly. Pajero came back yesterday and no problems.

Jaco, the value of the forum lies in the knowledge & experience of other members.

Gerald posted what was eventually the solution to his problem.
Maybe you should look into that before going to another ECU?

Hello,
Reviving this old thread....Having similar as described before but not finding my situation the same. Ok here goes....
Pajero is parked outside for the moment and in shade in the morning.....First noticed it on cold mornings. Start and idle for a few minutes as I always do. But some days you late etc etc. The gear lever goes into R easy and out the drive way into the road and into D and then nothing. After about 2 minutes the gearboxes engages and there we go.
Since the winter has arrived in Gauteng the last 2 weeks. Idle for a few minutes as per usual and selecting R is normal, but as soon as you select D (N and D is lighted up) and the gear lever also feels soft. Then back in P for a few more minutes. Then if you take it quickly to D, then D is selected. If you push the accelerator it revs like it is in N. Then engages with a bit of a jerk and goes off. If you want to drive early you have to idle for 15-25 minutes then you can select it normal and drive off
In "normal" temperatures this does not happen, and after the first morning drive selection is perfect and gear selection is like it is in summer.
Is it something to worry about? She is on 167000km now and big oil service is 180000km

Thanks

I'd check the basics first

Is the ATF cherry red?

Have you checked the ATF level?
- start car and go for a drive to get the auto box up to temp and then stop on a level surface keeping the car idling
- move from park to drive pausing at each selection for 4 seconds
- go to neutral
- open the bonnet and pull the ATF dipstick, wipe clean, re-insert and pull out again. The oil level should be at the "hot" mark.

4ePikanini wrote:I'd check the basics first

Is the ATF cherry red?

Have you checked the ATF level?
- start car and go for a drive to get the auto box up to temp and then stop on a level surface keeping the car idling
- move from park to drive pausing at each selection for 4 seconds
- go to neutral
- open the bonnet and pull the ATF dipstick, wipe clean, re-insert and pull out again. The oil level should be at the "hot" mark.

Thanks Marius I will check it this afternoon.