I've just got my car back from a transmissions specialist who have had it for 2 weeks rebuilding the gearbox.

I reported it cocking up gear changes on medium to heavy acceleration 5-6th i think, and a wobble/grumble on light throttle on medium hills.

Before taking it in, I had the gearbox flushed and new fluid/filter but that made it worse rather than better and it started throwing faults and going into limp home mode.

Apparently the mechatronic unit was the cause of the issues, and it had in turn damaged the clutches, seals and torque converter.

They have replaced the mechatronic with a genuine part from ZF, new seals etc and had the torque converter re-manufactured.

Fortunately, this was a warranty job as I've not long had the vehicle, so it's not cost me anything.

I've only driven 2 miles so far so too early to tell if it's all sorted.

I asked the specialists if this was common, and they said that these gearboxes are either free of problems for their whole lives or start to go about 80,000 miles. He recommended a specialist service at least every 50,000 miles as preventative maintenance.


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2018 L405 3.0 TDV6 Vogue SE Fuji White
2000 4.6 V8 HSE Oxford Blue
1994 3.9 V8 Vogue Ardennes Green - resto project

Land Rover History:
2010 3.6 TDV8 Autobiography Stornoway Grey
2001 Discovery 2 TD5 GS
1999 Discovery 2 V8i XS
1994 Discovery 300Tdi
1993 Discovery 200Tdi
1989 Range Rover Vogue SE 3.5EFi
1976 Series 3 2.25
1977 Range Rover 2 door 3.5 Carb

Well the mechanic's about half right, Mechatronic units are fitted in lots and lots of cars these days and like other ECU's there are good ones and bad, there are no "service" items on them so nothing anyone can do to prevent a failure.

Changing gearbox oil every 100,000 miles or 5 years (more frequently if off roading or towing..) will certainly help your gearbox live longer though..... Pete

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2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-