Hello Barry,

Just wondering what’s the outcome exactly a month down the line……?

………..Pete FL2 SD4 HSE Lux Auto MY 2012— current
D2 TD5 HSE Man MY 1999 470kmls….gone 2014 ….lovely engine..chassis rotten
D1 300TDI Man MY 1996 56kmls….gone 1999…D2 much better
Wife’s FL1 1.8P MY 2001 32kmls …gone 2007…has Mini since.

Hello Pete,

Thanks for asking, but no outcome yet, and as the weather cools, the problem reduces. However, an oddity is that when the pull-away hesitation occurs, if the a/c is on, the hesitation immediately stops as soon as I switch the a/c off, and I do mean immediately. Work that out.

The a/c adds an additional load, but it's only slight, and I'm told that when it's selected the revs should rise slightly before the clutch engages, but when I select it, I notice no rev rise - I wonder is there a connection?

Because the a/c trick makes the car much safer to drive, I can either leave the a/c switched off, or use it as a jury-rig solution until a permanent fix is found - so far the problem has confounded people who make their living out of solving vehicle electronic faults.

I have a new fuel filter to fit, but other matters are commanding my attention at the moment.

Your continuing interest is much appreciated, and when I have an answer I'll post it.

Hi Barry……

What a strange fault…& unusual solution to a fault…..!
As I have written on this forum many times’ they are quirky motors’…….
Hard to imagine the connection between the hesitation & aircon being quickly turned off……I can’t work that one out…..
Turning the air-con off or on doesn’t alter engine revs on my FL2 either & it is very strange that ( as I have posted on this thread) I had the stuttering & hesitation for years, only in summer, it became worse last October, ‘ restricted performance’ etc. A bit of a headache at the time but resolved it …new MAP sensor & replaced turbo hose. All ok after until summer, hesitation occurring from time to time until car battery failed completely, I replaced it & immediately no hesitation or stuttering……..work that out…!
Car runs fine now with just the occasional ‘hiccup’ when reapplying power gently ……nothing to be bothered about………..no fault codes stored……& absolutely no problem if I drive it hard……!
Quirky motors……or what ? FL2 SD4 HSE Lux Auto MY 2012— current
D2 TD5 HSE Man MY 1999 470kmls….gone 2014 ….lovely engine..chassis rotten
D1 300TDI Man MY 1996 56kmls….gone 1999…D2 much better
Wife’s FL1 1.8P MY 2001 32kmls …gone 2007…has Mini since.

IanMetro wrote:

Have you tried investigating info on web for 'Gearbox Flaring'.

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=285772

The Volvo uses the same gearbox.

Around the speed you are quoting the autobox 'lock up clutch' should be engaging, but also at about that speed or slightly higher the car will be disengaging the Haldex clutch to go from 4 wheel to 2 wheel drive.

As the problem is temperature sensitive I would have a look at changing the autobox fluid and cleaning out filters and channels in the autobox valve chamber.

Hi Ian,

Interesting post…….thanks
I did look at the links that posted when you posted them earlier……I just had another look though.
On the Volvo Forum gearbox ‘flairing ‘ is discussed…..I.e. ‘slipping clutch syndrome’ when the revs soar….
I came to the conclusion that this wasn’t the problem I was having…..since thé revs weren’t increasing.

I found the second link ‘Aisin Gearbox Learning’ very interesting……incredibly clever technology….
I know exactly when the gearbox is going to change gear……so I have learnt as well……!

I only mentioned my problem on replying to Barry to illustrate how quirky thé cars are……as I said replacing the failed battery also virtually cured the hesitation problem…….why I don’t know…..
Similar to Barry being able to avoid the hesitation by switching off the air-con…….Bizzare….! FL2 SD4 HSE Lux Auto MY 2012— current
D2 TD5 HSE Man MY 1999 470kmls….gone 2014 ….lovely engine..chassis rotten
D1 300TDI Man MY 1996 56kmls….gone 1999…D2 much better
Wife’s FL1 1.8P MY 2001 32kmls …gone 2007…has Mini since.

I've not posted on this a long time but two(?)+ years ago, I changed my fluid to the Aisin non synthetic recommended OEM JWS3309 and all judder went away. I would have some judder going uphill at slow acceleration before putting in the Aisin. The JWS3309 did it's job. I decided that it was time to just renew some(the judder was coming back) of the ATF and I cannot get the original fluid anymore. Mobil has a version but I can't source it locally anymore either and decide to go with the Valvoline equivalent synthetic. The judder uphill is still there but 50% milder. In the past I have tried the Toyota version and the Amsoil version but they also produced some judder. The original Aisin did fix my issue but I also did have much less mileage on 'her' at the time.