Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

I was towing a trailer with my Gen 4 and "locked" in in 5th gear when I noticed that when going uphill the revs will increase by approx 500rpm @ 120 without kicking back to 4th. If I manually go to 4th the revs go up with approx 800-1000rpm. What is actually happening here? (The dear East Rand stealer didn't even bother to try and answer me when serviced)

Chris,

The torque converter lock-up clutch disengaged.

When you cruise at 120 on a level road with normal load that clutch will be locked-up and drive will be through the clutch (just like a manual box clutch will do). However, when the load on the drive train increases, like in your example, then the clutch isn't happy to carry that load and it disengages. Now the drive is through the "open" torque converter (which in effect is a hydraulic pump that is driven by the engine and then supplies drive to the wheels). There is drive loss in a torque converter, so the gearbox doesn't spin at the same speed as the engine. Which is why the engine revs picked up, but not the speed.

I compare the lock-up clutch functionality to pedalling a bicycle: when the going is easy and you sit and spin the pedals, the clutch is locked-up. When you have to get up out of the seat to keep the bicycle going, then the clutch will disengage.

The box is designed to operate like this, but there is heat being generated when the torque converter is open. When I do heavy work with mine, I actually prefer to gear back manually, even before the clutch disengages.

Thanks Roelf, I thought it had something to do with the TC. That was a good explanation. If I could figure out how to send a "thank you" I would have done so.

Hi All.

I have a 2004 3.2DiD SW Auto Gen3 Pajero, it has done 240 000KM, of which I have driven it for about 120 000KM, no problems. This afternoon however the gearbox started acting up, it hangs between gears when it shifts, and when it shifts, there is two jerking actions and noise, it seems to be to and from second gear and to and from 5 gear. Strangely it did it and then was normal again and then worse and now normal again. Any advise on why this is happening and what is the best action to take? The vehicle is serviced regularly.

JPPJ,

Welcome here.

The first thing to check when any autobox starts with strange behaviour, is the transmission oil; The level as well as the quality.

If I were in your shoes, I would immediately do a complete oil flush.

Regards
Roelf

Thanks for the advise, I really hope it is just the fluid, I have it at my regular service centre now, will keep you posted.

Regards
Jp

Hi JP,

Any news??

Hi Roelf

Yes, they did the service, but it still does the same. Will have to send the box away now to be fixed. Not looking forward to this.

Regards
Jp

JPPJ wrote:Hi Roelf

Yes, they did the service, but it still does the same. Will have to send the box away now to be fixed. Not looking forward to this.

Regards
Jp

Hi JPPJ,
Sorry to hear of your gearbox woes. Gearbox problems can cause sleepless nights.

Not sure what others think, but could this be solenoids (either wiring bad connection or failing solenoid(s))?
Have you had the unit connected to a proper Mitsubishi MUT tester to check for diagnostic messages?

I would certainly be checking these before removing gearbox.

Best of luck with getting this sorted out easily.

Hi

Yes, I have done a fault diagnosis at Union Motors, no fault error code reported. The gearbox guys in Nelspruit all quote me in the region of R30000 to do a recon. Found a place in Boksburg, Gearbox and Drive Chain Specialist, the owner, Norman, is very friendly and willing to help, he says it sound like a faulty "actuator", but he will check the box and everything, worst cause he can provide me with a exchange unit for R16000 fitted. Please let me know if anyone has and feedback regard this workshop. Also, now the challenge is to tow the vehicle up to Boksburg.