AL4 shifting problems after fluid change

Jason_C said:
Hi, I've got exactly the same issue and just replaced fluids and solenoids, which did not resolve it. Did you end up finding a solution? I know this thread is 4 years old, but I'm hopeful!
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Are your transmissions similar to the AD4? I suspect they might be, after all these transmissions are based on the same mechanical principles?
I’ve repaired a few AD 4s. Prior to repair they had various problems including rough changes.
A specialist repairer (northern suburbs of Melbourne) told me that AD4s always slur or thump when changing gears - bull Tisch!
Paying special attention to clutch clearances makes for very smooth changes. Transmissions fluid, as long as it’s a recommended one, doesn’t matter much.
A clapped transmission often is smooth for a while after adding an additive (suspect the one I tried just increased or even improved viscosity.
Solenoids are easily checked with a multimeter. After all they are just electromagnets.
Don’t know about your transmissions but the AD4 was easy to overhaul with non specialised tools (as long as you leave the diff alone)
 
I'm sorry, I have no clue about the AD4! Anything to do with the internals of a transmission, e.g. the clutches and brakes is likely to be beyond my abilities unfortunately.
 
Marcel B said:
Thanks for the input. Seems to have improved after draining and filling 3 times with Penrite ATF FS. Still not perfect but I guess this might be expected from a transmission with 115k on it. Was pretty amazed at how bad the fluid was considering these are “sealed for life”.


Left to right (actually now right to left because the forum is uploading my photo upside-down) first to third drain with the fourth being from correcting the level.
View attachment 103634
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Nobody’s yet mentioned the solenoid valves which are a very know problem with the AL4. Having done 100k or more, it’s about time that the problem occurred! Replace them - a relatively simple job for a competent mechanic - and the changing problems disappear. Search for AL4 valves and further clarification on this website.
 
Get Salman to have a look at. It took about 20 litres of fluid before my sealed for life ZF4HP20 box fluid ran clear. Who ever thought having a sealed box with an internal filter that can't be replaced was a good idea was a complete idiot. The ZF in my Discovery has a removable sump which gives you access to replace the filter an it has a large aircooled transcooler so the box doesn't overheat. Well maintained it will go forever (280Km so far) whereas the 406 box's die in the mid 100's. Crazy.
 
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Hi,
First time poster. Daughter has bought a 2009 Peugeot 207 CC with automatic 4 speed gearbox. There is a hard shift when moving from 1st to 2nd. I'm going to attempt to drain the transmission fluid. I see from this thread that I should do this 3 times to clear most of it out.
Using
Penrite FS MultiVehicle ATF
Lucas Transmission Fix 710mL
www.supercheapauto.com.au

Lucas Transmission Fix 710mL

Lucas Transmission Fix 710mL
www.supercheapauto.com.au www.supercheapauto.com.au
How would you go about this. First and second flushes using purely ATF. Third flush all of the additive and a ATF topup?
Not the most mechanically minded person so would appreciate any guidance.

Cheers.
 
The 4 speed auto is known as the AL4. To help you generally, attached are some of the official handbook pages (the transmission and engine is also used by small Citroens). The illustrations can be zoomed.

Despite the box being allegedly sealed for life a periodic change isn't a bad idea. That said, the fault may lie in wear of one of the solenoid valves in the valve block.

Should you ever post with engine problems, quote the engine ID letters - these are digits 6-7-8 of the VIN. PSA spreads its engines and transmissions across many models. It's more specific than say "2.0L petrol".

Be ready for lots of differing opinions on fluid - the original spec fluid is now hard to get. To refill get a cheap auto refill funnel with the extra long flex spout.
 

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seasink said:
The 4 speed auto is known as the AL4. To help you generally, attached are some of the official handbook pages (the transmission and engine is also used by small Citroens). The illustrations can be zoomed.

Despite the box being allegedly sealed for life a periodic change isn't a bad idea. That said, the fault may lie in wear of one of the solenoid valves in the valve block.

Should you ever post with engine problems, quote the engine ID letters - these are digits 6-7-8 of the VIN. PSA spreads its engines and transmissions across many models. It's more specific than say "2.0L petrol".

Be ready for lots of differing opinions on fluid - the original spec fluid is now hard to get. To refill get a cheap auto refill funnel with the extra long flex spout.
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Thank you Seasink. The engine ID is 5FW. Just spent $25 on 4 washers (2 x drain, 1x drain, 1 x level). I'll have a read through the handbook.
 
The engine mentioned in the handbook is a 1.6L TU series. (The full handbook is for a Citroen model)

5FW is the later 88kW 1.6L EP6 engine, which also comes in a speedy turbocharged variant. The notes for the AL4 transmission fluid change are the same.
 
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