Auto trans PB Challenger

[BMN]

Don't panic your automatic inhibitor switch probably needs adjustment and is a five minute job. I was in a similar position several months ago with my MN Triton and thought the worst but a quick test drive by my local auto trans expert and five minute adjustment has left it like new.

Cheers mate, good to have some knowledge on the issue.

[BMN]

Thanks pb4x2. easy fix. 14mm nut on the passenger side nice and low that connects the shifter cable to the inhibitor switch. Only took a very small adjustment (approx 1-2mm) rearward and she's all good. Had been putting it off for a few weeks thinking it was going to be pain in the arse

[pb4x2]

Thanks pb4x2. easy fix. 14mm nut on the passenger side nice and low that connects the shifter cable to the inhibitor switch. Only took a very small adjustment (approx 1-2mm) rearward and she's all good. Had been putting it off for a few weeks thinking it was going to be pain in the arse

My pleasure,sharing tips and knowledge is what this forum is all about.

[itsamitsi]

I see auto mate is nearly there. I have lock up mate already, if I install auto mate do I still need lock up mate too or does auto mate do both? MM?

[m_and_m]

My plan is to be offer an upgrade for lockup-mate owners to get an auto-mate.
The original lockup-mate and LED switch cable will need to be returned for upgrade.

[itsamitsi]

My plan is to be offer an upgrade for lockup-mate owners to get an auto-mate.
The original lockup-mate and LED switch cable will need to be returned for upgrade.

Thanks Marshall. I do like the lock up and can't wait till auto mate is done. This is what my Challenger lacks. I like the car but that auto annoys me. Also on a side note I have done a fair bit of towing now with lock up running and my trans fluid has darkened fairly rapidly over the last 3 or 4 months. It may be coincidental as it is probably due to be replaced or is it more clutch material in the oil as they are having to work harder now? I plan to change it out with full synthetic trans fluid.

[old Jack]

Thanks Marshall. I do like the lock up and can't wait till auto mate is done. This is what my Challenger lacks. I like the car but that auto annoys me. Also on a side note I have done a fair bit of towing now with lock up running and my trans fluid has darkened fairly rapidly over the last 3 or 4 months. It may be coincidental as it is probably due to be replaced or is it more clutch material in the oil as they are having to work harder now? I plan to change it out with full synthetic trans fluid.

I had the first Challenger Lockup Mate fitted at 118,000km, at 122,000km I had the ATF flushed and changed, I ran Lockup Mate until 128,000km then the prototype Auto Mate V1-V16 and now have 135,000km on the odo, and my ATF is still clean and light red.


OJ.

[itsamitsi]

I had the first Challenger Lockup Mate fitted at 118,000km, at 122,000km I had the ATF flushed and changed, I ran Lockup Mate until 128,000km then the prototype Auto Mate V1-V16 and now have 135,000km on the odo, and my ATF is still clean and light red.


OJ.

Hey OJ. Have you towed anything in that period? I have towed my camper around a fair bit and the oil has always stayed clean looking. Now it's dark and smells burnt. I am going to change it out with full synthetic and see how it goes. I still believe it's clutch material which is OK as they should have well and truly settled in now and after a change hopefully will stay pretty clean. It's done 88K now.

[old Jack]

Hey OJ. Have you towed anything in that period? I have towed my camper around a fair bit and the oil has always stayed clean looking. Now it's dark and smells burnt. I am going to change it out with full synthetic and see how it goes. I still believe it's clutch material which is OK as they should have well and truly settled in now and after a change hopefully will stay pretty clean. It's done 88K now.

Hi Itsa,
I do not tow regularly but I have done some 1900-2000 kg towing up the SE Freeway during the testing phases of both Lockup Mate and Auto Mate and have had ATF temps of 116C when doing back to back tests and leaving the Auto in Drive with Lockup and Auto Mate off. I am always between 2550kg and 2850kg (GVM+150) and do about 60% city and 40% country/off road kms. Prior to Lockup Mate and Auto Mate, I would start my notice the ATF changing colour between 30,000km to 45,000km and by 60,000km it was in need of changing. I have only 13,000km since the ATF change so it is too early to call. My understanding of why the ATF changes colour and smells burnt is based on the ATF getting too hot when the torque convertor is slipping, even with Lockup Mate and Auto Mate the TC is still slipping in first gear so stop/start operations and heavy towing will still accelerate the deterioration of the ATF. I doubt if the dicolouration is "lockup clutch material" but only a scientific oil analysis would prove this. What I have notice with the testing of both Lockup and Auto Mate is a huge reduction in ATF temps, a modest reduction in engine coolant and air intake temperatures especially under high load operations, and a 10% to 25% reduction in fuel consumption depending on conditions.

OJ.

[itsamitsi]

Hi Itsa,
I do not tow regularly but I have done some 1900-2000 kg towing up the SE Freeway during the testing phases of both Lockup Mate and Auto Mate and have had ATF temps of 116C when doing back to back tests and leaving the Auto in Drive with Lockup and Auto Mate off. I am always between 2550kg and 2850kg (GVM+150) and do about 60% city and 40% country/off road kms. Prior to Lockup Mate and Auto Mate, I would start my notice the ATF changing colour between 30,000km to 45,000km and by 60,000km it was in need of changing. I have only 13,000km since the ATF change so it is too early to call. My understanding of why the ATF changes colour and smells burnt is based on the ATF getting too hot when the torque convertor is slipping, even with Lockup Mate and Auto Mate the TC is still slipping in first gear so stop/start operations and heavy towing will still accelerate the deterioration of the ATF. I doubt if the dicolouration is "lockup clutch material" but only a scientific oil analysis would prove this. What I have notice with the testing of both Lockup and Auto Mate is a huge reduction in ATF temps, a modest reduction in engine coolant and air intake temperatures especially under high load operations, and a 10% to 25% reduction in fuel consumption depending on conditions.

OJ.

I don't think it's lock up clutch material but more gear clutch material. It may be completely due for change of fluid by now but it is purely coincidental that it went dark very quick only after fitting lock up mate. Don't get me wrong I'm very happy with the product and would do it all over again no questions asked

[KevsChallenger]

Can the brains trust answer this, is it possible to have lock up on 1st gear for those steep high country decents. Coming from a manual Land Rover Defender to a Challenger down hill in 1st low in the Chally is like 3rd in the Defender. So much slower and more control in the Landy.


Wholesale auto's advertise theres as locking in all gears i think?


Is it possible on the Jatco box?

[nj swb]

Can the brains trust answer this, is it possible to have lock up on 1st gear for those steep high country decents. Coming from a manual Land Rover Defender to a Challenger down hill in 1st low in the Chally is like 3rd in the Defender. So much slower and more control in the Landy.


Wholesale auto's advertise theres as locking in all gears i think?


Is it possible on the Jatco box?

Yes. Read https://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum...ad.php?t=60342

[KevsChallenger]

Yes. Read https://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum...ad.php?t=60342

Thanks NJ

[KevsChallenger]

After reading various threads it seems that everyone who has installed a MM lock up kit has done so for towing with great results.


Can anyone who has used it offroad especially on steep descent's comment on the difference

[old Jack]

After reading various threads it seems that everyone who has installed a MM lock up kit has done so for towing with great results.

Can anyone who has used it offroad especially on steep descent's comment on the difference

Hi Kev,

My Challenger has been the "test mule" for MM4x4 over the last 9 months and 18,000kms. We have tested in most conditions, I can report there is an improvement in engine braking in low 1st with the TC locked but you need to remember that the gear ratio is only 28:1, diff ratio of 3.917:1 and the the 2.5 litre CRD has a compression ratio of 16:1 so this cannot give you old school Landrover, no brakes required down a 45 degree slope engine braking. Locking the TC up on descents means that you get ATF flow through the TC and cooler so the ATF temperatures reduce. I have not had a High Country trip so the longest steep up hill and down hill in low range would be less than 1km, in the Flinders Ranges.

My thought is it would be best to turn OFF Lockup Mate/Auto Mate during very technical steep uphill climbs so you get the benefits of the high slip torque convertors torque multiplication then turn it ON for the downhill to get the engine braking and ATF cooling.


OJ.