2006 LR3 SEV8 with 165k miles. Just changed the transmission pan, filter, and fluid with the kit from Atlantic British and now having some shifting abnormalities. In the video for the change AB mentions that only 2 liters of fluid will make it into the transmission after the change, we got a little over 2 like 2 1/4 so don't think it is low. After everything was buttoned up I put it into gear while on the lift and even let off the brake so drivetrain would spin, then went on a test drive and brought it back in to top it off. Question is, is there an adaptive memory that needs to be reset? It is not slipping, chattering, or doing anything like something is mechanically wrong it just seems to hunt gears now with firmer shifts than before.

 

Did you run it through the gears a few times, with engine on, ( with foot on Brake pedal, obviously), with fill plug out, put back into Park, get back underneath vehicle, and fill up again with fluid? Do this a few times, until you start getting fluid dripping from fill plug hole. Finally, put fill plug back in. If you didn't do this, you are probably low fluid.

 

Doesn't sound right, i have the metal pan and it takes 4.5 litres approx, sure it will only take 2 litres at fill but then you need to start the car and top up with engine running ans then check the level again once its reached 35c.

And don't reset the adaptions, that's only required when you change any hardware.

 

I started the engine and let it idle for about 5 minutes then shifted through the gears with my foot on the brake and without. Had plug in the whole time. Checked and topped off the fluid then went on a couple mile test drive and brought it back in to top off fluid again, that time it took very little fluid. I'll get it back on the lift and check it again I guess. Thanks!

 

I thought the procedure was to drain what you could, measure the amount and put back in the same amount. I don't believe the fill plug is a level indicator.

 

The fill plug is an indicator when the ATF is at the right temperature. Do look at page 6 in this PDF https://aftermarket.zf.com/app/contr...505690da53.pdf.

 

Setting the level on the ZF transmissions is a very specific procedure (there are numbered checklists for it) involving watching the ATF oil temp, running through the gears, adding fluid and closing the fill plug at a certain point based on the temp. I have done it several times, in both Jaguar and Land Rover platforms, and I have always found it nerve racking and disconcerting and I have burned myself at least once. First time I did it I stupidly backed off the fill plug too far and dropped it while the engine was off and immediately had 2 liters of ATF hit me (at least it was cold). With the engine off, the ATF level is well above the fill plug. It is one of the jobs I absolutely hate. Based on your descriptions, I suspect you are low on ATF.

 

Thank you! When we changed the fluid, I did oil and filter at the same time and immediately after a 45 mile drive to my friend's shop so it was warm enough to smart when we touched anything under the car but by the time fluid went in I'm sure it wasn't at operating temp. This time I'll do the same but since I just have to remove the heat shield to get to the plug fluid should still be at operating temp. So primary thing is to add while running and in gear 95 degrees or a little less until it drips out then let fluid get to 104 degrees and if non coming out and more won't go in put the plug back in?

 

I forget the exact temp levels but they should be in the workshop manual but that sounds ball-park to me (but do check it). One trick given how little room there is, I cut down an 8mm hex wrench (going from "|__" to "L") so that it was as short as possible on the 'turning' end, and the used a socket+extension for leverage on the bottom of the little wrench to access the fill plug more easily.

 

The temperature range is mentioned in the PDF I linked here, 30 - 35 Celsius.