Auto Gearbox problem

[Hal 1]

Hi, Any experts out there who can give me any pointers regarding a problem I'm having with my G/box, It's a Ford A4LD type with vacuum change/manual kick down, It's fitted to a kit car I've recently finished.

It sometimes seems to get stuck in second gear and no amount of hand changing will sort it, I limped home yesterday to check the fluid level which was ok then went out to try again, this time i set off in D instead of DE overdrive mode, it seemed better and the problem didn't happen again

I've got a later solenoid operated gearchange/kickdown box ready to have checked out with the intention of changing to later but for now I just want to run the car, Anyone any ideas ?

[GavinPearson]

It really sounds like stuck valves or contamination in them.

[Hal 1]

Do you think there might be a chance of a defective diaphragm in the vacuum system ?
( I'm clutching at straws here trying to avoid large outlays of cash )

[tvrgit]

I think my Granada 2.9 had the A4LD autobox, and over the 140,000 miles I had it, it did the "sticking in second" thing twice - and both times I ended up getting the box rebuilt (the second time because the first guy conned me and made a mess of it).

As the first reply said, it could be the contamination or damage in the valve body. I saw mine on the bench and the valves and drillings are so tiny, it wouldn't take much to block them up. If you're really lucky you might get away with a fluid change and adjustment of the clutch bands.