Dash displaying 'Check Gearbox'

[grussell]

Hi, I have recently bought a 2004 Renault Megane 1.6 VVT Dynamique Automatic. It was in fab condition and the car was absolutely fine with no faults when I bought it.

Now suddenly the car starts fine but about 5 minutes or so into driving it goes out of gear and the car sounds odd (as if it's struggling) and 'Check Gearbox' is displayed on the dash. If I am going about 30mph or more the car will go along but then suddenly have a loud bang/kick and go into 'Check Gearbox' mode.

The car drives fine, albeit sounding odd and struggling, in 'Check Gearbox' mode but I tend to pull over and restart the engine and it drives fine.

Can anyone shed some light on the situation? I have tried researching this topic but not found a definite answer to this...

[sparky46]

Hi. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but this a common problem with the auto gearbox. I bought mine brand new and had this fault in the first year. It is a 2008 model and started playing up again this year. Renault UK paid for half of the cost of replacing the solenoid unit which changes the gears. It cost me £240. They will need to do a diagnostic check to confirm the fault. This is £60 an hour and they wanted 2 hours to do it. As mine only had 24k on the clock and an auto gearbox specialist had diagnosed it and pointed me in the direction of Renault UK due to the milage, they waived the diagnostic cost and half the repair cost. All done and OK now but for how long, who knows. Still love driving it with the roof down though.