406 HDI transmission problems

[Pegasus]

Hi all. I am new to this site so hope you can help. My 406 HDI auto "shudders" when cold changing down from 4th to 3rd or 3rd to 2nd. Only does it when cold at 1st start up and not every time. Once warm everything is fine. Car has done 170,000km and has been regularly serviced. Is this a reason for concern/preview of something more sinister? There seems to be a lot of scaremongering on other sites. Not sure which box is fitted in this car, the V.I.N # is VF38BRHZR81513426 if any help.
Many thanks
David

[steve_earwig]

Hi there, welcome

406 (RESTYLING) 4 DOOR SALOON 2.0 HDi 110 (DW10ATED) Auto gearbox AL4

I must confess we don't know a great deal about automatic transmissions on these. Apart from the stock suggestion of changing the fluid, the only other thing is to check with the coupé owner's club (www.peugeot406coupe.com) where autos are far more common.

Is it flashing any lights or showing any fault codes?

[Pegasus]

Many thanks for your quick response. No, there are no warning lights flashing or fault codes. had a look at the coupe owners site as suggested and noted a similar fault caused by the ABS system which I had not thought about. Will check with the local agents today, I like to go armed with some info before going. Will post result if or when fixed. Parts in over here are very expensive especially if they have to be sourced from France.
David

[Pegasus]

Problem solved. Almost lost transmission the other day and warning on display said "Automatic transmission fault" so at least had something to go on. Went straight to agent who hooked up the analyser which confirmed the two valves were working in opposition to each other. Turns out Peugeot sourced these valves from a supplier other than Borg Warner and is a well known fault with these transmissions which are also fitted to the 307 apparently. Anyway, when they picked me up off the floor after
giving me the repair quote I decided to fix it as the rest of the car is in very good condition and is comfortable on the open road where most of my driving is these days. Hope this might help someone else. Cheers David T

[steve_earwig]

Another happy ending! Well done for getting it sorted, as you say this could be useful for others - any chance I can press you for further details? Which valves, just how much?