Taxi Driver Online

Hi,

Only had my auto 95 fairway about 3 weeks. Seems to be going well but not sure if a few things are quite right with it.

Gearchange: 1st to 2nd gear seems right, but getting from 2nd to 3rd sometimes takes ages and alot of revs. It seems more smoother once warmed up and happier to go into 3rd. Is this normal on a fairway?

Overdrive: Went on the motorway for the first time in the fairway the other day, I pressed the overdrive switch to turn green light off. Am I supposed to feel the gearbox change into a 4th gear? I didnt really feel anything happen. I got upto about 70mph, the revs didnt seem too high. Just not sure how to tell if the overdrive is working correctly or not.

Kickdown: I cannot get it to kickdown. What checks should I do first? I understand there is a switch and relay somewhere.

Best to get it in and get the gear oil and filter changed in the box, gear oil should be raspberry red

Before I bought the fairway, the owner had just given it a complete service include gearbox oil etc. hmmmm.

So when in overdrive, does the gearbox actually change up into a 4th gear?

Could there be a vacuum pipe or something which is split etc causing long gear change and lack of overdrive?

He may well have changed the gearbox fluid, but did he open the box and change the filter, there is a rectangular plate on the bottom of the box, undo the bolts and remove the plate the filter will either be on the inside of the plate or further bolts may be required to be removed if it attached to the gearbox

Ok, Any idea where i can get a replacement gearbox filter from. Cant seem to find one online.

First some cabs do only run smooth when gearbox warmed up sounds like it could do with a once over at auto transmission garage,could be something simple, not enough vacuum or sticky valve.The overdrive you should feel when coming on it locks the torque convertor on,try driving around with it switched on and youll feel it changing gear like its too soon.Id guess it came on if you got to 70 ! Kickdown on the gearbox is through the cable adjustment on mine (Throttle) not 100% sure on yours they changed boxes on a P reg onwards.Check your cable has enough tension good luck

I had a look under the throttle pedal and I can see a little switch at the pivot end of the pedal. I think the pivot end makes contact with the switch when fully pressed to the floor but will have to check. Where are the cable adjustments made? In engine bay or near pedal in cab?
Havent tried driving around town with the overdrive on (light off). So I would feel it change gear too early then?

Thanks for the advice. New to these old taxis so learning lots with the help from you guys.

You can probably hear the change into OD rather than feel it.
Try doing about 40 and then on a light throttle press the switch,you should hear a drop in revs.

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Selling Imperial tools for old cars.

Phoned up one local auto transmission place saying my symptons..... and they just said.... oh it needs a recon... £1700 + vat please!
I dont believe my gearbox is beyond repair! I have a feeling they are chancing it!

Try changing gear manually see if it changes correctly then.

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Selling Imperial tools for old cars.

It changes gear fine when i manually select 1 or 2.

I will check the kickdown switch above the pedal and see if anything is looks wrong. Maybe a broken wire or something.

Domt want to sound patronising but have you checked the fluid level properly ? Get cab up to working temp and put in n or park.Pull dipstick out and wipe then re dip with engine running.Fluid should be reddish/cherry colour if you rub it between fingers shouldnt be any grit/contamination in it.As for kickdown not 100% sure on your box but i very much doubt its on the pedal,as i said on mine its the throttlencable adjustment under the bonnet.Saying that i never use it ,what do you want it to kickdown for ?

On mine the kickdown switch is on the pedal,I think there are different versions.
I'd agree with Blackpool though,the kickdown is of very limited use,with a low revving engine like the fairway it probably doesn't do them any good to rev the guts out in a low gear anyway.Other than making a lot more noise it doesn't seem to do that much on my taxi,it doesn't really help it pick up speed,you can always change down using the selector..
Probably your best bet is to fine a friendly taxi driver or taxi mechanic and bung him a few quid to take your taxi for a test run and see if they think of the gearbox.

_________________
Selling Imperial tools for old cars.