Hello,

I've a 94 Space Wagon GLXi 2.0 Auto and it won't go into gear. Currently, when it's put in 'D' or '2', there's a clunking sound and treatens to stall, if I push the accelerator a little it revs up but does not move. When it's in 'L' the car starts to accelerate when I put my foot on the pedal, but then the power goes and the engine justs revs up. When in 'R' it just revs up as if it is in 'N'... no unhealthy clunking sounds though.

I've been to a garage: they said that they don't do autos, but they think it's either the clutch or gearbox: either way it's not worth reparing. They also said that they'd scrap it for me for 'free'. Do you think that they are correct? I was wondering if it's the automatic transmission fluid (the level seems to be OK, but can it degrade?) or fluid coupling/torque converter (can this be fixed cheaply?).

History of problem: I was driving down the motorway and suddenly the revs went very high... I pulled off and stopped. After stopping and looking at the engine (30 mins or so), I tried putting it in 'D' but there was no power, similarly with '2'. Then I tried putting it in 'L' and there was power. I then put it in 'D' and it seemed to go into second gear (I was able to do 35-40 mph at 3000 rpm). I slowly drove back home (about 40-50 miles). The next day, I drove the car to my garage but it didn't make it into 'D' (no power, revs go up when pressing the accelerator) and I crawled along in 'L'. The mechanic told me the above and I decided to drive the car back home to empty it out... it didn't make it back home (symptoms above) and I had to park it halfway (that's why a fast reply is needed).

An opinion would be very much appreciated.... otherwise it's going to be scrapped (and I've got attached to the car too!).

Thanks!

I had a subaru L-series auto gearbox rebuilt by a specialist about 10 years ago now at a cost then of £500 and I know the previous owner had paid £1000 a year earlier for the same job. It lasted less than a year and top gear went again.

I think once an auto box has gone they are never the same after repair and getting it fixed would cost more than the car is worth. So, if it was me, I would scrap it. Sorry.

The only exception to that would be buying a scrap car for the box and doing it yourself,if you had to pay someone to do it it's not worth it.

There are a number of spacewagons/chariots available for around a thousand quid to replace it and I think that would be a better bet if you particularly want another, you could even keep the old one for spares if it's the same shape.

Thanks for the info... Yeah, I think that if the gearbox it gone, then it's not worth to repair it :( I got a quote from a scrap yard and it was about 340 quid and adding labour, I'd expect it's going to be quite a bit. Shame since it's pretty low mileage for the age, about 80-85,000 miles. Engine sounds pretty good. Body work not brilliant unfortunately.

However, a quote for a clutch is only about 60 quid... does it sound like I've a clutch problem (or even something simpler/cheaper to repair)? Or is it likely to be the gearbox?

Good idea about getting another Space Wagon: where would be a good place to get one (found 1 near me on auto trader, some on fish4 cars (but none near me), nothing on loot)?

Thanks again!

If it's an automatic then you don't have a clutch anyway or at least not like you get in a manual car although there are a number of clutches involved in the transmission set up.

As for similar cheapish vehicles then you only need look at ebay to get a feel for prices. You can search by make,model and area if you wish to.

If the body of yours isn't too good then look to using yours as the spares car if that is at all practical.