Trafic Transmission Indicator Light

I own a 2001 Renault Trafic with a gasoline engine. At 188134 km, the transmission indicator light keeps illuminating, accompanied by the check engine light. The automatic transmission seems to be stuck in emergency mode. The gearbox now slips and shifts uncleanly, and there are grinding noises during gear changes. I checked the error memory, and I am getting radiator oil pressure defective. Could this be related to a defective cable or plug connection?

4 comment(s)

I had similar symptoms with my Trafic. Have you checked the radiator and coolant levels lately? A failing radiator can cause all sorts of weird issues with the transmission, especially if it's impacting the oil pressure. Also have a look at your cooling fan. If the engine is overheating, it could trigger all sorts of error lights and put the transmission in a limp mode to protect it.

You mentioned checking the radiator and coolant levels – are there any specific signs I should be looking for, aside from simply 'low' levels? Also, regarding the cooling fan, is there an easy way to test if it's functioning correctly? I'm an intermediate user, and I am not very experienced.

When I checked my radiator I noticed coolant leaking. If that's not the case for you, and the coolant level is normal, I do not think the issue comes from there. As for the fan, you should be able to see if it turns, when the engine warms up. If the radiator and coolant check up okay, I would suggest taking it to a workshop. Better safe than sorry and a mechanic can check the whole thing with more detail.

I followed your advice and took my Trafic to a local workshop. Turns out, the mechanic identified a defective cable, just like I suspected. The repair cost me around 95€ including labour. All the symptoms have disappeared, and the van is running smoothly again. Your suggestion pointed me in the right direction!

Join the discussion now: