Decision time

[a-frame81]

So I have a big decision to make:

After spending a bit over $2k doing the gearbox solenoid, I'm still getting recurring error codes (started 2 weeks after new solenoid installed) and the transmission shop is saying I might have to lay down another $1k to have a rebuilt torque converter installed. Of note, is the strange fact that I don't get any appreciable slip in the TC when they're testing it so I'm not really sure this is the issue. I'm thinking about forcing the issue and making them replace the solenoid under warranty and they've talked about doing it, but I don't want to make them do it only to have the issue reappear. To top it off, my air con compressor just died as well so I have to possible spend $2k on getting that working again.

I'm seriously in two minds about doing it and am even considering selling it to buy a Ssangyong Rexton 4wd later in the year, but it's so nice to drive and we've spent a bit of money doing new tyres and the lift in the last year or so I'm not sure if I'd be doing the right thing.

At least I did manage to get the KJ into Unsealed 4x4's readers vehicles section and it's a fine looking beast



Sorry for the long rant. Would I just be chasing more problems if I fixed it, nothing it's 14 years old this year?

[Tog]

Ssangyong would be a huge mistake. When things go wrong with them which seems to be quite common they make repairing a KJ look cheap

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[a-frame81]

I haven't heard too much about later model Ssangyongs having issues. My main concern is there's almost no activity on the Australian owners forum, not like on here where it's a thriving community. My mechanic did say he doesn't see many, but when he does they can be hard to get parts for.

Me, I'd like to get a Prado or Pajero that's a similar age to mine, but the other half isn't keen on that. I'm trying to figure out if it's better to at least know what's wrong with mine vs trying to figure out what is potentially wrong with a different vehicle.

[a-frame81]

So the decision has been made, in the next week or so the KJ will go into the shop and have the torque converter and valve body done. Hopefully the combination of having done the solenoid, valve body and torque converter will put to bed the gearbox issues that have been plaguing us for the last 10 months.

[cmohr]

I remember Albion Jeep having an issue when they worked on the Auto in my V6 2004 KJ, they had replaced the springs and valves in the body, and there was nothing but error codes , no drive ect ect, I heard from LOST that sometimes when places work on the valve body they dont get all the springs out and when they install the new valve springs ect, theres one too many in there. Albion Jeep had a real time with it, they ended up replacing the entire soleniod and valve body and everything was perfect from then on.

Wish you Luck with the work.

Arrr cmohr

[senatorjohn]

Have a recurring problem with the gear box on my 2005 KJ CRD. MS solenoid and temperature sensor play up every time bar a few times when they did not. Once the vehicle warms up, you can clear the code or codes as may be the case and drive the car all day with no further problems provided you do not stop and let it cool off for a few hours. Have a spare solenoid block and valve body out of my spare Jeep, but have not got around to installing them. Due to be done soon as I have another set of wheels to drive. Will post any useful info that I find while replacing the bits and checking the old bits.
John



















once the

[a-frame81]

Thanks Cmohr and SenatorJohn, hope all the work fixes it as we'll have spent $3k by the time we're done.

Cmohr, did you have any more issues with the gearbox after that? How many more kms did you have it for?

Once the gearbox is out of the way, I only need to do the A/C compressor and condensor to get that back working and the ball joint in the rear upper control arm and the KJ will be all good for a while.