I have a problem with my '97 850 GLE. Not really getting into gears, like stuck in neutral. RPM goes up, then it goes off as if it was stuck by the brakes or in clutch. Look at the trans fluid and it was brownish in colour. Then the transmission arrow went up, followed by the lambda light. Car won't get into gear at all.

Changed the fluid. It move for about 10 - 15 meters, then arrow up again with the lambda sign. Think it is the transmission problem. Hasn't really test it with starting in 3rd gear, but I believe problem is with the transmission. Require replacement?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

"kmandali PM-ed on Transmission problem, Yesterday, 03:15 PM

Hi,
I am new to the forum, and found out that yo post the most (or replied to the post the most).

I have a bit of a problem with my 97 850, and I believe its the transmission. Has posted the problem on the forum to get as much exposure as needed. Hoping it'll get noticed and received favorable response. Hope you get to see it too.

Btw, I am also looking for an 850 transmission, if you have one, canibalised from another car and looking to sell it off.

Thanks,"


Hey, dude.

Which part of Malaysia are you at?

The brownish ATF indicates that your ATF is at the worst state it could be. It needs to be changed like every 3 years or so, as maintenance. The harder you drive, then the sooner i guess you need to change it. If you haul luggage everywhere, or if you drive stop-and-go a lot, then i suggest you install an auxiliary oil-cooler. I learnt it the hard way to fix that. Busted my transmission too.

I'm sorry, i dont have a ready transmission to cannibalise from. The one that i have, i want to slowly recuild it myself sometime in the future, god knows when exactly though.

But sign-up at the local forum here: www.vocm.com.my and then go to the Member Services and then look in Workshop Listing. Look for Ah Koon and call him up. Just tell him Ampangbear gave you the number, and see if he can help you with the transmission.

I cant say much, cos I havent seen the trans just as yet. It could be just the valve-body, and it could be the internal parts wearing out.

Good luck.

Updated my location.

The Lambda light that went off together with the arrow up light. Could be just a sensor problem? I don't think the internal parts wearing off problem as I don't feel any change, nor clanging sound, nor any other weird stuff while driving. It felt lethargic at times, and accelerating was 'bad'. On the fateful day it just 'lost' gear as if fell into neutral. Then it don't want to go into gears anymore.

Btw, there's not much luggage to carry around, as this car is used to ferry children to school. Stop and go also minimised to weekends (shopping district only). The car did not suffer office rush hour traffic.

It's too late to service/replace the trans fluid anymore since it is already not responding. I should have known to ensure the mechanics service the fluid. I bet they never did

Thanks ampangbear. I may try vocm.

Actually... it may NOT be 100% too late though. I've heard someone put in LubeGuard and flushed the ATF altogether, and that was able to bring the transmission to life.

If you want to try it out...