Transmission telltale light intermittent on (video)

[melbs]

I have a 2003 2.5i automatic transmission

During cold start, i have experienced the following intermittently:

1. car won't start, have to move selector to neutral to start the engine, no transmission light on in dash
2. car starts, after a few seconds transmission light on in dash.
3. move selector gear to reverse and instead of "R" it becomes "S4" in dash indicator

in all cases, a restart of the engine cures the problem

reckon its something with the sensor?

you guys have a similar experience? solutions, probably problems?

 

[melbs]

[youtube]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oWsKzJgxiHo&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oWsKzJgxiHo&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/youtube]

 

[melbs]

well after almost a year and the problem still exists.

to those who experience tranny problems, you might want to read up.

transmission telltale light now comes on intermittently only when i put the gear selector in "P" aka park position. A simple restart of the engine then problem is gone.

i had the car scanned for errors and a "transmission switch faulty" appeared.

this part is actually called "position switch" from realoem and landed cost is around $300 us

i opted to have it cleaned first, it is located in the driver side of the transmission. a nut and two bolts releases this part. problem is that the plastic covering the switch inside is riveted to the metal mount. you have to destroy the rivets and just buy screws to seal it back in. my mechanic found corrosion inside the switch. application of contact cleaner and hopefully it lasts long.