High RPMs - 280GE Auto
Hey everyone,
Having just aquired my 280GE, I find that my trans shifts into all the gears smoothly but at 40mph, my rpms are at 3000. At this point if I manually shift the trans from 4 to 3, it gears down so it must be in the top gear? I don't dare go any faster than 40mph as I don't want to hurt anything - course the top speed here is 50mph on short sections of the bypass which I am avoiding for now. Possible wrong fluid or low fluid would cause this?
Thanks
This might sound silly but are you in low box?
Does sound like it is in low.
But S is correct for high (Strasse or street) and G is Gelände (ground/off-road).
I don't have a 460 but could the lever be on backwards so that it is showing S when it is really in low?
btw - it is RHD in the UK as well.... :)
Yeah, I believe mine originated from England as I have miles, not kms like Japan. Our vehicles here come from either US or Japan with a few from UK. US are Miles/LHD, Japan KMS/RHD and UK Miles/RHD with a few exceptions. :shock:
It just seems like I'm missing a top gear as when it is in "G", you can definitally tell the difference. The shifts occur quick and goes into 4th too quickly - at 30mph (checked each gear manually although I didn't feel the 1st to 2nd gear change, and after 4 it went to N). The trans fluid looks like it was just changed and clear in colour (though I thought it should be red) and it is at the right level. I tried to push it to 50mph but the rpms were up to 3500-4000 so I don't want to push it.
Thanks for the support so far, I just don't know what to do. I can drive it this way but I want to make sure I'm not doing more damage. Any other possibilities or tests?
See bagde in the attached picture:
S: for Strasse or road is 2wd and high gears
SA: for Strasse All is 4wd and high gears
N: Neutral
GA: for Gelände or Terrain All is 4wd and low gears.
The only way that your G is in low is if the lever is to the right and rear.
Given that your G lacks centre differential, you should not drive on the road in any position other than S or else risk transmission windup and serious damage to the transfercase and other transmission components.
Let us know your findings.
Regards,
Mine does around 20mph / 1000rpm so yours does seem to revving too high.
Does it have standard size tyres?
Could be slipping clutches/brake bands within the gearbox or torque converter. Does the fluid smell burnt?. You say the fluid is clear, thats a good sign. Burnt smell = slipping which = a rebuild.
Can you count the number of times it changes up to confirm it is actually in 4th. NOTE under normal circumstances it will set off in 2nd so you are only looking for 2 up changes.
In the past I've had some success (temporary probably) with seal conditioning additive. Bear in mind your gearbox rely s on hydraulic pressure to operate so low hydraulic pressure due to leaking seals will affect how it works.
From what I know these are strong and simplistic boxes so lets hope its something not too catastrophic!
I have stock 15" with 30x9.5 tyres.
It starts in second, shifts to 3rd at 20mph and into 4th at 25mph.
Doesn't appear to have any leaks and the fuid smeels normal.
Today I was taking my scuba diver's course and finding parking was interesting. I always thought sand trap was a figure of speach/golf but just a car length off the road I sunk (normal parking for the public beach, course most people leave the cars on the side/pavement rather than trying to get off the roadway). It was no problem as I quickly shifted into "G" and just drove right out and then backed in again for parking once I knew it wasn't an issue- course the BMW X5 wasn't so smart as he just kept digging before realizing he needed 4wd, and the Land Rover was too "rich" to know what to do and just left it parked there - though he didn't dig and was gone by the time I came back.
Anyway, I know I am in the correct settings and that something is wrong. Is there an Over Drive switch that could be the cause? When are the shifts supposed to take place? Thanks for the pic Mortinson, good to see the data plate to confirm my shifter knob is correct to set my mind at ease as I don't want to do any harm to the transfer case.
It just seems like I'm missing a top gear as when it is in "G", you can definitally tell the difference. The shifts occur quick and goes into 4th too quickly - at 30mph (checked each gear manually although I didn't feel the 1st to 2nd gear change, and after 4 it went to N).
It is normal, when moving off in "D", the gear box will infact start from second gear and not first. This is why you are counting only three speeds of change, thinking you are not getting the fourth change. If you feel your top speed seem restricted, then I would suggest checking for full throttle opening.
To check that, with the engine switched off! Get a helper to fully depress your throttle pedal to the floor, whilst he is doing that, you are obsevere the throttle links on the throttle body to check and see if the link fully opens and botttoms out at the end of its travel, if not, this will need adjustment, and boy what a difference this can make.
Good luck.
Regards,
Thanks for all the checks everyone. I am only resrticted in top speed by myself as I don't want to push my engine over 3500rpm - this gives me a speed of only 45mph. My top speed between home and work is 40mph so it's OK, but still feel if there is something wrong as there's no way this is the top spped of the G and I don't want to constantly drive at 3000rpm - fuel economy will suck.
Do you think the clutches will cause this? What speed do normal shifts occur?
Cheers - David
My money is still on it being in low box.
When you push the transfer lever forward does it then move to the left or right?
Just to be sure push the transfer case lever as far forward as it will go, then as far left as it will go, then back as far as it will go.
Yes, I agree dentsmithy. I have tried this a number of time with no better results. I know it shifts back into 2wd but I still feel like I'm in low 2WD.
Have you checked the fluid level in the transfer box? Not sure about the internals but I think if there are syncros in there the low fluid could cause it to stick in low - getting out of my depth now I'm affraid.
I don't think the transfer lever acts directly I.E it's not a solid linkage but rather a spring loaded cam affair. So it is possible that although you are moving the lever you are not actually doing anything at the transfer box end.
Just a thought.
One way to prove this is to move it in to low 2WD and go for a run. You will really notice the difference if you have actually moved from Hi to Low!
Hmmm, good thinking Russ - simple and all I have to do is pay attention to those shifts and compare. :D On top of this I will check the fluid level in the box hopefully some time this week (I drive a work van all week so I'm in no rush). So can anyone tell me when the trans is supposed to shift?
Thanks!
The way to check the oil level is with the engine running.
Move the shift lever through all positions and place in neutral. Then check the level.
The way to check the oil level is with the engine running.
Move the shift lever through all positions and place finally place in neutral. Then check the level.
Thanks Russ but I forgot to mention transfer case. I assume you take out the fill bolt and stick your finger in? I had checked the trans oil and it is clear, full and smells fine (well, like trans oil anyway :P )
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Thanks for the quick reply, that's exactly what it seems like. As I don't have any paperwork/owners manual, how is it changed as I have the 2 diff locks (both lowered) and transfer shifter is in "S". This is a RHD but I assume the transfercase shifter is still the same positions (bottom left).