Automatics - should they pull off instantly

[Sir Brixalot]

This has been going on a while. On the first drive of the day the van wont really move immediately, it just crawls. I have to wait for a few seconds then it will drive normally. The fluid is new. Is this normal with an auto or a symptom of something bigger? Thanks

[81AirCooled]

Mine was occasionally a little hesitant but nothing like you describe. Afraid I've no idea what could be playing up but check fluid is clean, you have enough in there, and she changes smoothly. Not sure what if anything you can do with the autoboxes

[Sir Brixalot]

Yes it's a bit weird, its not getting any worse though. Feels just like a slipping clutch does but only on first drive, particularly after cold nights

[123-jn]

Yes they should and mine does despite 115000 miles, sounds torque converter/pump issue but I'm no expert. Have you cleaned the strainer/filter on the oil pick up.

[Sir Brixalot]

Is the filter for the ATF if so is it an easy fix? Can't see the filter in Haynes

[Sir Brixalot]

Is the filter for the ATF if so is it an easy fix? Can't see the filter in Haynes. If we're talking about the oil filter I changed that very recently

[zed]

ATF strainer is in the bottom of the gearbox. You need to disconnect the auto fluid dipstick tube and take the sump plate off the gearbox. You will need a new gasket as well as a filter, and 5-6 litres of ATF.

Make sure you clean thoroughly around the bottom of the gearbox before removing the sump plate. A little bit of muck in an auto box can cause all sorts of problems.

[Sir Brixalot]

Great. Thanks-sounds like something I can deal with. The ATF was brown before I changed it - so there a good chance the filter needed doing

[R0B]

Mine pulls away instantly no problem

[Sir Brixalot]

I'm going senile. I had the strainer changed by my local garage last year, but have already ordered the parts so I'll do it myself. Mind you the garage said they'd checked the thin coolant pipe that runs round the engine bay for blockages but when I checked it the next day, it was totally blocked. Still chances are that its probably something else causing the problem.

[AdrianC]

Check the fluid level, too - there's usually a proper and slightly involved procedure. I had an autobox loan car from the guy who fixed my old Saab 900 - and a couple of times, it just completely failed to move away at all. A litre of fluid sorted it.

[81AirCooled]

To check the level run until warm, then shift through each gear then back into N. Which the engine is running and the gearbox is N check the ATF level.

[Sir Brixalot]

Check the fluid level, too - there's usually a proper and slightly involved procedure. I had an autobox loan car from the guy who fixed my old Saab 900 - and a couple of times, it just completely failed to move away at all. A litre of fluid sorted it.

I'm gonna sound thick here but here goes - which fluid?

[Sir Brixalot]

To check the level run until warm, then shift through each gear then back into N. Which the engine is running and the gearbox is N check the ATF level.

Thanks for this. Tested it cold first and it barely registered on the dipstick then checked the procedure. Tested again after a run and it was on the max