Hi all, just got myself a 1981 SD1V8 Auto & would like your help with a couple of niggles on the 'box please as this is my first step into the Auto RV8 world!

Shift into reverse, car doesnt move but box quietly 'whirrs', rev car a little & car starts to move after a few seconds.
Problem & cure suggestions?

Manual shift through 1-2-D, all ok. Shift into D & when it hits 2 the box slips.
Problem & cure suggestions?

Oil? Reading my Haynes, it talks of ATF Dexron 11D or ATF G.
What to buy?

I have been advised to drop the oil & pan, clean the pickup filter, replace with fresh oil & try, but with the cost of ATF , I would like to sort this in 'one hit'.

Cheers
Paul

Hello Paul,

BudgieV8 wrote:

1981 SD1V8 Auto with a couple of niggles on the 'box Shift into reverse, car doesnt move but box quietly 'whirrs', rev car a little & car starts to move after a few seconds. Problem & cure suggestions?

The most likely cause is low fluid level, because it seems the torque convertor is starved of fluid and when it finally gets some there is insufficient fluid for the rest of the box to work properly.

Quote:

Manual shift through 1-2-D, all ok. Shift into D & when it hits 2 the box slips. Problem & cure suggestions?

Pretty much the same conclusion because the gear selection valves do not have sufficient fluid to work properly.

However burned brake bands do also seem to be a possibility.

Quote:

Oil? Reading my Haynes, it talks of ATF Dexron 11D or ATF G. What to buy? I have been advised to drop the oil & pan, clean the pickup filter, replace with fresh oil & try, but with the cost of ATF , I would like to sort this in 'one hit'.

First check the condition of the ATF from whats on the transmission dipstick. It should be reddish NOT brown/dirty.

If the former it probably safe to just top it up.

If the latter, it indicates that the oil has been well used or got too hot due to burning around the brake bands etc.

Drop the sump, drain the oil and clean the filter pickup etc etc. as per Haynes.

Then read all the Auto box stuff in the PDF available on this link:

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There are loads of suggestions to cure oil leaks and modify the sump pan to make life a lot easier.

When refilling do not worry about trying for the best oil at the cheapest cost, just buy some economy ATF at an affordable price for a startoff.

There is a specific and detailed process to get the fluid level correct in the workshop manuals but the bottom line is the box must be warm - stood on level ground - go through all the gears several times - and measure the level in neutral.

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Finally, check the kickdown cable operates correctly from the throttle mechanism and note that there is a modulator valve at the rear of the box operated by engine vacuum, check that the valve holds a vacuum and that the vacuum line is not breached.

Thanks very much Ramon, confirms what I thought & have been told.
Will get on with the job once I've got my leg out of plaster!
- (always wanted an SD1V8 & damaging my Achilles Tendon gave me the perfect reason to win my G'friend over! - 'need to buy an auto to get about, what do you think of this nice SD1V8?' )