Hello Forum,

I’m new here and just bought an L322 V8 petrol from 2003 with my brother.

On the way home from our buying adventure we found out that when the gearbox gets warmer, the gears are slipping and when its slippen it knocks itself to a higher gear.
If that happens too often it goes in to Trans fail safe mode.

So we have a couple of questions;
Is this a known problem?
What is wrong?
Is it fixable with basic mechanical skills?
Does it need a replacement gearbox?
Is there a rebuild kit?
What are the expected costs?
How easy is it to get the gearbox out of the car?


As you see, many questions how to deal with this problem.

You time and knowledge is well appreciated.

Thanks in advance guys.

First thing I would do is check oil level followed by changing oil & filter……easiest & cheapest on your list.😁 2012 Orkney Grey Westminster 4.4TDV8 with Ivory interior.........nice!
BMW R1200GS
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Just one Montesa now, 349 White Wonder
Austin A40 Farina MK2
1975 Morris Marina 1.8TC

It’ll be a blocked and / or leaking trans cooler. It’s a known issue with older L322’s, not a big job to replace and while you’re at it you would be advised to swap out the gearbox filter and fluid as well..good luck  ______________________________
Simon
______________________________

Range Rover Classic 3.5 efi - Gone
Range Rover Classic 3.9 efi - Gone
Range Rover Classic 4.2 LSE - Sadly gone
Land Rover 110 3.5 - Gone
Range Rover P38a 4.0 SE - Pleased it's gone
Range Rover P38a 2.5 DHSE - Just sold
Range Rover L322 4.4 v8 Petrol - Current

Thanks a lot for the advices. Will definitely change the oil and will have a look at the trans cooler.
Any idea where i can find the trans cooler and does the replacement means that the gearbox has to come off?

Again thanks in advance guys!

Hi,

Trans cooler is at the front of the engine bay and the transmission doesn’t need to be removed in order to replace it. Have look in the wiki above to access the workshop manual…you’ll get diagrams like this -

L322Brothers wrote:

Hello Forum,

I’m new here and just bought an L322 V8 petrol from 2003 with my brother.

On the way home from our buying adventure we found out that when the gearbox gets warmer, the gears are slipping and when its slippen it knocks itself to a higher gear.
If that happens too often it goes in to Trans fail safe mode.

Their Range Rover is a 2003 model so the warning they get is ‘ Trans fail safe mode ‘ and reading between the lines it clears once it has cooled down. ______________________________
Simon
______________________________

Range Rover Classic 3.5 efi - Gone
Range Rover Classic 3.9 efi - Gone
Range Rover Classic 4.2 LSE - Sadly gone
Land Rover 110 3.5 - Gone
Range Rover P38a 4.0 SE - Pleased it's gone
Range Rover P38a 2.5 DHSE - Just sold
Range Rover L322 4.4 v8 Petrol - Current

I ask as I'm encountering an occasional RESTRICTED PERFORMANCE (MY2010) that seems to clear itself. No codes logged though

Makes me wonder if (blocked cooler) is my issue... my gearbox etc had a mega flush via Bodsy back in June.

It could be blocked and have restricted flow. I don’t have any experience of the newer L322 but I think it wouldn’t be too different, may be worth a look to cross it off the list of possibilities. ______________________________
Simon
______________________________

Range Rover Classic 3.5 efi - Gone
Range Rover Classic 3.9 efi - Gone
Range Rover Classic 4.2 LSE - Sadly gone
Land Rover 110 3.5 - Gone
Range Rover P38a 4.0 SE - Pleased it's gone
Range Rover P38a 2.5 DHSE - Just sold
Range Rover L322 4.4 v8 Petrol - Current

I only receive the trans fail safe mode message. And this message doesn’t always pop up.
So when I drive really carefully and manual shift the gears nothing really happens. But you really have to feather the throttle. When I would accelerate normally its starts slipping. This normally happens like 5 minutes after start driving. When in fail safe mode, its blocked in 5th gear and manual switching is not possible.

Sooo, we put a ‘new’ gearbox in the car. It shifts very smooth now. But we’ve got a new problem back. When driving at 60-70km/h the engine rpm goes up and down with 50rpm and it feels like you’re driving over the white road markers. A bit bumpy. When accelerating is goes away and its smooth again. There is also a noise thats sounds like wind noise coming from under the car.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts

Possibly torque converter. Did that not get changed out when box replaced? Previous cars:
S-Max 2007-2013 (only diesel I've had, good car but expensive when diesely bits go wrong, so what's the point?)
Galaxy 2001-2007
Mondeo Estate 1997-2001
Sierra Estate 1993-1997
Uno Turbo 1987 -1993
Fiesta 1984 - 1987
Fiat 127 1982 - 1984

The torque converter was changed with the ‘new’ box. We’re told that the torque converter and box were all fine. Is something like Dr. Tranny a thing that can work and fix it?