Auto gearbox fault

[dorsetdave]

The warning light on my 93 2.0 8v LS autobox started to flash. I have taken it to the local specialists in Poole who are familiar with the model. Codes 25 and 56 have come up. Apparently 25 indicates the solenoid 1-2 & 3-4 which they can get and will fit tomorrow week. However the 56 is the selector switch which is difficult to obtain. I use a chap in Dorset for my Cavalier parts and he says that there are three part numbers; 90348931: 90442083: and 90510907. Does anyone know if these parts are interchangeable? The is a secondhand switch on eBay at the moment but it comes from a 16v. According to my parts person it's the last number that fits this 16v but it is shown as a super ceding series. Do you think it would fit? Can you, perhaps, suggest an alternative source of a replacement? I have driven over 400,000 miles in my Company Cavalier autos back in the 80s and 90s and never had an issue. This one has done 49k has always been serviced on time and even had a full autobox service/ fluid change three years ago.
Just bad luck?
Thanks for looking.

[Cavalier342]

I never would have guessed that we had local specialists who are familiar with Cavaliers, must be hidden out of the way somewhere.

You can try taking your selector switch off and cleaning/re-greasing it, often it fixes the fault, if the grease inside it is old and dirty, it can cause problems. Have done it myself before.

No idea about different parts numbers, I got one from a breakers years ago, never knew they had different ones, I'm assuming any 2 litre units would do the job.

[dorsetdave]

If you are in the East end of Dorset I can recommend Automatic Gearboxes. 26 Kennington Road Poole 01202 680896.

They have serviced my other older cars autoboxes and I have found them very good. The suggestion to use them came from the person who looks after my old cars.

Apart from the Cavs. they have done auto box work for me on a Cortina, Figaro, Wolseley 16/60 with a Borg Warner 35 and are just about to service the box on one of my Minors which has a Borg Warner 65.

[Robsey]

The only selector switch number I can find is 9119055.

Unless I am looking at the wrong part.
However this appears to be a suprcession of part number 90 510 907.
GPS price is a whopping £360. Yikes!!

I see no reason why your ebay part should not fit.
I say, go for it.

Have you tried stripping and cleaning your current switch.
It usually sorts after a good clean and rebuild.

[dorsetdave]

Update.
The auto box people are fitting a new solenoid and s/h selector switch tomorrow. Further update will follow. Just a thought but they mentioned that the usual problem with the selector switch is that the warning light flashes first thing in the morning of use. Turning off the ignition then seems to clear it and it works ok for the rest of the day. Mine has not had those symptoms, the light comes on after about 10 miles.

[Cavalier342]

I'm not an expert but in my experience, shifting the lever down to 2 or 1 position tripped the fault on mine, which was with the selector switch, obviously the grease inside had dried up and gone bad, and the brass pins inside weren't getting good electrical contact with their sliders. I suppose even temperature can make a difference, it could work better when warm rather than cold, etc, and some say that the light comes on after driving for some time, others say it flashes from cold, all sorts of different circumstances. Are you asking them to change the fluid while the car is in there?

[dorsetdave]

Fluid is only three years and 5000 miles old. I now have the car back with a new solenoid and second hand selector switch fitted. It seems ok but time will tell. The "later" selector switch seems compatable. I was planning to take it on a Continental trip starting on Thursday but have decided to take one of the other cars as I will not be able to get enough miles on it for a decent test before leaving.
Thanks everyone for your interest.

[Robsey]

Fingers crossed, that it is indeed all sorted.

Enjoy your tour of Euro-land...
Shame it isn't in the Cav, but hey ho.


and then we look forward to hearing all about the Cavalier post-holiday checks.

Of course, being a Cavalier it will do / need something to empty your bank balance or cause restless nights. - so enjoy your trip whilst you can afford to do so.