Early Challenger Auto Failure

[subarursliberty]

Hi Guys,

First post and its an expensive one. PS nice forum.

Anyway I have a 2003 LS Challenger that just rolled over the 100,000ks and the auto has desided it will no longer go into 4th. It all started a couple of months ago when it would flair between 3rd and 4th. It was fine going from 4th to 3rd. I took it for a service at around the 96,000k mark where I was told this looks like the first time the sump has been off. When it did finally come off there was alot of metal shaving etc in it. It was put down to a clutch pack issue and to take it easy (not easy when it sees the beach a bit). It has flaired a little after then but it was differnt gears. An oil cooler was fitted before all this started as well.

So i'm a little confussed. If it has not been serviced then fair call. But I have found that the Challengers have the last of the four speed Pajero auto's which a tough unit (correct me if i'm wrong).

Could anyone confirm that they are a great auto so Ii can stop stressing a little. Is there anything I can do other than service it and put a trans cooler on that will extend it life. Any gear box codes that any one has for what it should be. Do other cars share the same box as the Challenger. things like that to help out. I have done a bit of a search but if anyone can point me in good directions that would be good.

Cheers.

[-Scott-]

I'm not aware of any significant problems with the Paj auto, but that doesn't mean they never fail. In terms of "whate else" uses it:

In Gen2 2 Pajero were 2 types of auto gearboxes:
- years 90->94 - Mitsu type: V4AW2 - Aisin AW372L(A44DL);
- years 94->00 - Mitsu type: V4AW3 - Aisin AW30-40LE(A340F), can be find also in Pajero Sport/Chellenger.

A340F was also in:
- Jeep Cherokee XJ(87->01) as AW4;
- Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ(91->99) as AW4;
- Toyota 4Runner/Hilux Surf(96-04) and Pickup(90-94)
- other Toyota's on North America market: Tacoma, Tundra, T100, Sequoia.

But this is not the same transmission in every case.

From http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/phpBB2/po ... &p=1499262. Don't know if it really helps...

I'm very much a novice when it comes to autos, but I've always though "flaring" could be a sign of a hydraulic pressure problem? Do these things have a filter in them?

[subarursliberty]

Hey guys,

I was just talking to the guys rebuilding the box after doing a little research of the A340F gear boxes. I rang them to say there is a kit you can buy for the valve body's. Trouble is its not a A340F. Its a V4A51. Any ideas guys? Is this because of the self learning system from 2001.

[pickle]

Yeah the Challengers got the self learning box from the 2000 upgrade.
Invec 11 although the Challengers got a four speed they should have put the Paj five speed in..... would have rocked.
Can't say I have heard of too many Challenger auto's going cactus .... did you run over a black cat or something?

[subarursliberty]

Black cat is right. I blaim the previous owner. Probably driving it in 4WD on the road in the rain. Anyway Its getting put back together now. Maybe I will have it home for the weekend. I found this link as well. Thought you guys might be interested.

http://ezine.bayford.com.au/transmissio ... ubishi.htm

[Lordtrunks]

from what i've seen early pajero/montero Auto failures are from wrong fluid being used. When you get it rebuilt request they use the mitsu Diamond star ATF(dealer stuff) it is the best for it and it will show in the amount of miles you get out of it.

[subarursliberty]

Well I finally have it back. 2 gearbox rebuilds. First one went wrong when I asked for an external filter. The filter was a one way filter and you guessed it, it was installed the wrong way over heated the gearbox and seized it up on the tow truck on its way back. Another bigger rebuild later and I got it back today. Challenger gear boxes from 2000 on run the lines out of the box and back opposite to 99% of other cars out there. The rear one on the box is the feed line to the oil cooler and the front return. Most other boxes run the other way around. Expensive mistake for the re builder at $8000 but he was all good about it and I was suprisingly good as well. We all make mistakes but this one was a good one. Bad news is no towing of 4wd for 2000 ks. That means i need to hire a truck to moove house at xmas and when that is done no fishing up stockton in my holidays. Oh well as long as it works in the end I would be more than happy.