Peugeot 206 hatchback - Automatic gearbox problem - Princesszoe

Hi there, I'm having trouble with my t reg peugeot 206 automatic. When
> it's cold after about a mile there's a bad clunking sound and the car
> seems to change into a low gear and the car has to be stopped and started
> to get it back to normal. At the same time as the 'clunk', which can
> really throw the passengers/driver forward sometimes, the gear lights on
> the dash flash between the 's' and the '*' (frost) indicators. It mentions
> it in my peugeot user guide provided by them but doesn't say why it happens or what
> causes it. When I called they said the part wasn't made any more and it'd
> therefore cost about £900 to fix. Any one else had this prob and do you
> know whats causing it? I'd be very grateful as I feel if they already know
> it's a problem, how can they charge so much to fix it!!

Peugeot 206 hatchback - Automatic gearbox problem - nico

Assuming the gear box is an AL4 it is going into limp home mode. This could be caused by many things but one of them is that an oil change is needed. The box has a sensor that tells the ECU when the oil needs changing. I gather that the oil should be good for about 120,000 miles. Anyone could change the oil but the ECU must also be reset which is probably a trip to peugeot. If anyone other than peugeot changes the oil make sure the correct one is used. Ordinary ATF won't do - buy the right oil from your dealer.

There are obviously other causes of limp home mode but an oil change would be a comparatively cheap option. If a peugeot dealer does the work they would use their diagnostics gizmo to read any faults. Whatever is wrong will probably require a visit to Mrs Peugeot's garage if only to reset the oil counter.

Peugeot 206 hatchback - Automatic gearbox problem - burhan

Hi,

I am having Citroen Xsara 2.0 HDi Automatic hatchback 2002 model and it has done 72K miles. From past several months I am noticing problem with Sport/Snow Mode Warning light flashing on dashboard. This happens during change of Gear from 3rd to 4th. In my observation this happen if I don't press accelerator pedal hard enough for reaching 4th Gear and/or lingering around 40-45 Mph. Frequency of this is high if engine is cold. The work around I have been doing is to stop the engine and restart which works all the time. But lately I noticed this warning light coming up while traveling on Motor Way at speed of 65-75 Mph and this causes sudden jerk and slow down due to 3rd Gear engagement. This has happened once when I was trying to overtake a slow moving Car and on another occasion when I was trying to increase the speed fast after crossing construction zone on Motorway. What is your suggestion looking at the symtoms? Thank you for your attention and time.

Best Regards,

BA

Peugeot 206 hatchback - Automatic gearbox problem - MLRoss

My wife has a similar problem but worse, the "automatic gearbox fault" warning light shows and the gears slip then stick in a low gear. I took it in to the dealer who changed the oil and charged me for two software upgrades, almost £200, saying if that didn't work it would be a new gearbox.

The car has only done 25,000 in 6 years and this is a disgrace, you should get 100,000 miles from a gearbox minimum with normal use.

The car is out of warranty and I am looking for a trend so if anyone else has this problem please let me know

Peugeot 206 hatchback - Automatic gearbox problem - ferkemall

It slips then bangs into gear ? Torque converter is not locking up between gear shifts if the engine revs up between shifts its either the valve or dirty fluid or both ,the computer is reading a fault and will probably put it into limp mode ,get it into either the dealers which will cost a lot or a transmission shop that has a scanner like a Delphi using (CLIP SOFTWARE ) if they don't have it walk away some transmission shops won't touch Renault/Citroen/or Peugeots because of the problems associated with this transmission

These units are complex you only have to read the PSA manual to see that , you can't change the fluid you have to get the condition counter reset because it when it reaches 32,000 it flags limp anyway fresh fluid or not ,you may have to replace the EMV valves any confident diy mech can do that but the counter has to be reset , always change the fluid 30,000 miles and if there are no other problems it will run for years ,if you plan on keeping it fit an after market transmission cooler and an inline filter it last even longer !

Hope it helps !

Peugeot 206 hatchback - Automatic gearbox problem - ferkemall

Assuming the gear box is an AL4 it is going into limp home mode. This could be caused by many things but one of them is that an oil change is needed. The box has a sensor that tells the ECU when the oil needs changing. I gather that the oil should be good for about 120,000 miles. Anyone could change the oil but the ECU must also be reset which is probably a trip to peugeot. If anyone other than peugeot changes the oil make sure the correct one is used. Ordinary ATF won't do - buy the right oil from your dealer.

There are obviously other causes of limp home mode but an oil change would be a comparatively cheap option. If a peugeot dealer does the work they would use their diagnostics gizmo to read any faults. Whatever is wrong will probably require a visit to Mrs Peugeot's garage if only to reset the oil counter.

No transmission fluid lasts for 120,000 miles renault /Peugeot/Citroen sold these automats on just that and people believed it , check out any other automatic gearbox manufacturer on the planet and they will tell you to change the fluid at 30,000 miles that's why the AL4 /DPO has a condition counter that will flag up limp mode at 32,000 its telling you to change the fluid and get the counter reset ,source = PSA AL4 training manual !

Peugeot 206 hatchback - Automatic gearbox problem - Georgie712

Hi there, I realise this is an old thread, but im new to this and not really sure what im doing but in need of some advice so im hoping somebody sees this.

In september 2012, I bought a 2001 peugeuot 206 lx 1.4 automatic, from a private dealer with no warranty and after a couple of weeks I noticed that there was always a strong burning smell coming from the bonnet, although it never felt that it got too hot and i couldnt really tell where exactly it was coming from, also when i was driving for the first little while the car over revs, to about 40,000 but only sits on about 30mph (it would prob rev more but the noise worries me and i ease my foot off accelerator) then the car will make a clunk noise n jolt forward slightly, that will happen 3/4 times and then do it one time massively, the car will then make 3 beeps with no lights flashing and then drive normally. I had the engine oil changed and a new filter put in place as it was filthy, hoping this would solve it but it hasn't,

Then i was driving home one night when all the sudden the temparature needle went straight from cold to hot and flashed stopped on the dash, i pulled over got out but the engine was not hot, i called out green flag who looked it over and said he didnt think it was a major problem he thought i probably needed gearbox oil but i had a slight leek from sensor swicth underneath bonnet which was coming from exhaust pipes to engine? and it was cheap to fix but should be replaced.

with this i went to my local garage,explained what had happened they ran a diagnostics and brought up two fault codes:

P1544 STEPPER MOTOR CONTROL

P0116 COOLANT TEMP SENSOR CIRCUIT

but he said this would be a cheap fix. he told me to run it for a few days, come back and they would run the test again for free of charge, so I done this.

When I went back to the same garage I saw a different man, I explained to him and he said that it sounded like a problem with my gearbox and if thats the case its best for me to get rid of it :( he said it could possibly be gearbox oil but he highly doubts thats what is making the car over rev and jump forward like that, sounds like its had it.

But Im not sure if that seems right?? Is it really that serious of a problem?

would I not have a light on the dash? Would it not do it the whole time whilst driving?

He ran the diagnostics and said it brought up the coolant fault code and I said but if there was a problem with the gearbox would it not show, so he said hang on let me check something, he tapped something in again and brought up this;

2 INCORRECT TRANSMISSION RATIO/SLIP

0 KICK DOWN SWITCH

The car is now booked to go back on Monday to have the gearbox oil checked and maybe replaced.

I don't know anything about cars, this is my first car and I am still on a provisional license. I dont want to be caught out, but I will have no idea what anything means or if what they are saying is right.

If anyone could help with advice or what they think about this or what it could be I would be so grateful, I feel like crying, only had it 4 months and cant afford to lose it and buy another, especially after xmas. not a great start to the new year! I was hoping to take my test soon!

Thanks for taking the time to read this

Georgie

Peugeot 206 hatchback - Automatic gearbox problem - nicnoc

Hi Georgie,

I had a similar problem to you 6 years ago when I privately bought my auto 206.

A few weeks after buying it, the gearbox seemed like it was really struggling to change gear and was overheating a lot.

I took it into a peugeot garage and they knew nothing about the problem so I took it to a specialist automatic gearbox garage, they told me part of the gearbox needed repacing and it needed a new gearstick!!!

I have recently been told that it overheats due to 206's not having 2 fans to cool them down and that this has nothing to do with the gearbox fault.

So anyway, with so many garages telling me different things it seemed nobody knew what the problem actually was so I decided to just use it as it was. it is a pain having to restart the car once it has warmed up and ive got no chance of pulling off from traffic lights or a junction quickly but 6 and a half years later im still driving the same car and it still gets me from a to b.

Peugeot have admitted that this is a common problem with auto gearboxes on 206's but wont do anything about it.

If it is bothering you I would have your gearbox fluid changed like you said and possibly buy a' transmission stop' liquid to stop your gears from sticking in the future (you can get some from ebay for £20).

I am finally thinking about having my gearbox fluid changing to finally fix my car (hopefully) as I'm hoping to sell it.

Once you have the problem fixed I'm sure the car will last for years, mine has never had any problems apart from this and has been a very reliable car.

One last thing, the garage your using doesnt sound too reliable, especially if different people are telling you different things, if you continue to use them try to deal with the same person if you can.

I hope this has helped, if only to put your mind at rest : )

Peugeot 206 hatchback - Automatic gearbox problem - ferkemall

OK renault/Peugeot/Citroen are the same thing it PSA France they all share the same technology ,the AL4 /DPO was designed as dealer only unit to rake the money in ,that said it suffers from poor cooling the handbook says if the snow light comes on YOU have spent to long in traffic /to long on the motorway /or pulling to much weight these are classic over heating signs ,

The gearbox software contains a program with a condition counter in it its also based based on a date program is if you top it up the counter has to be reset according to the amount you put in ,if you change the fluid it has to be zeroed the counter counts up to 32,000 then put it into limp mode this is the signal for a fluid change ,the condition sensor works on viscosity /heat if to hot /to thin it triggers limp mode ,

Fluid in these units HAS TO BE FULLY SYNTHETIC not semi or anything else , the scanner for these units need to have the CLIP SOFTWARE and most garages don't have it ,Delphi scanners can diagnose the AL4 and do all the resets required ,I went to an auto trans workshop and they did not have. the right scanner for the AL4 .

Every auto trans mfg on the planet says CHHANGE THE FLUID AT 30,000 MILES because debris from the clutch packs with their steel spacers causes damage to the valve body /seals /solinoid valves inc the EMV valves /torque converter /bearings /bushings , you would not run your engine for years without changing the oil the trans unit is no different .

How many people actually know how to check the fluid level ? = lots ,the fluid has to be at working temp 60 deg + 8 or minus 1 ,engine running gearbox in neutral /park then undo level plug if some fluid runs out its ok if not it needs fluid ,pour in half a ltr a time until it runs out ,never overfill or guess it has to be right .

Best trick is find a trans shop that has the clip software and get the unit checked and set up to run in the correct parameters .

Replace the EMV vales = appx £500 at a trans shop or appx £800/900 at renault ,if your unit is running ok change the fluid get the counter reset and it should last for years .

If you need the pain of trying to understand how the unit works just go online and look for PDF files for AL4 transmission I have 4 of them !

Hope it helps /modus driver !

Peugeot 206 hatchback - Automatic gearbox problem - Liz J

Hi I have the exact same problem with my peugeot. It has been going on for about 2 years now. I was wondering what the outcome of your situation was. The 900 pounds is excessive and I may end up selling it instead. Regards Liz

Peugeot 206 hatchback - Automatic gearbox problem - 2001 1.4 Peogeot Automatic

I had the same problem, the ""automatic gearbox fault" warning light shows and the gears slip then stick in a low gear".

The solution to this problem is 2 fold: 1st you need to check the 'Solenoid Shift ' in the gearbox

# 2 : You need to check the Valve Body. Both may need repaired or replacing.

I changed both parts and the problem was gone.

With regard the 'chunk' in the change in between gears, i still have that problem, but i recently got news from a Chevy dealership that told me the following:

The gear slip is caused by a mismatch between the engine’s speed and transmission output speed. Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) makes sure that these two speeds are in line, if the transmission output speed exceeds the engine speed the gear slip kicks in.

I do not know if this applies to Peugeot gear box, but I am currently working with my mechanic to fix it.

I will keep you posted of the situation.

Good luck

Peugeot 206 hatchback - Automatic gearbox problem - ferkemall

The AL4 /DPO works within set parameters these are checked and set with a scanner such as a Delphi unit using the ( CLIP SOFTWARE ) if a garage does not have the right scanner you are not going get the right diagnosis or settings ,my local garage has a £2000 scanner but it does not have a clip program ,nor did the transmission so call specialist shop I went to for a reset ,this unit is designed for Peugeot /Renault/Citroen dealerships there are Delphi scanners out there to buy but they are expensive and then there are the clone ones for appx £50 /60 but they can have problems ordinary after market scanners won't come close ,if you look at the PSA AL4 training manual you would see just how complex the software is !

Peugeot 206 hatchback - Automatic gearbox problem - ferkemall

Hi I have the exact same problem with my peugeot. It has been going on for about 2 years now. I was wondering what the outcome of your situation was. The 900 pounds is excessive and I may end up selling it instead. Regards Liz

Ok £900 sounds like renault dealer prices ,look for an automatic transmission repair shop that has the Clip software and repairs French transmissions like the AL4 with a bit of luck it will only need a fluid change and a reset ,if it needs the two EMV valves it should be appx £500 where they will change the fluid and do the reset anyway so the fluid will last another 32,000 miles ,with any Renault/Citroen /Peugeot you need to look up the forums for your car and go onto YouTube and check out videos on problems with your make and model ,you will lean a lot !

Hope it helps !

Peugeot 206 hatchback - Automatic gearbox problem - Junebug

Hi folks

I am havingvthe same problem woth my 2004 Peugot 206 Allure autio and I was wondering if there are any updates or if anyone found a solution to this problen

Peugeot 206 hatchback - Automatic gearbox problem - Marinus Viljoen
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Edited by Marinus Viljoen on 03/11/2023 at 08:36