Learning to drive a vehicle is not constantly convenient, and occasionally it may seem like a good solution to choose an automatic Ford Ka, if it’s for simple convenience or ease of use, this type of transmission is becoming more and more wide-spread. However, while they may seem like an ideal choice, there might as well be problems with the automatic gearboxes of your Ford Ka . This is exactly the theme of our article. First, we’ll quickly describe the different types of automatic gearboxes, then, in a second step, which problems you might face with the gearbox of your Ford Ka , and, finally, how to solve them.
The different sort of automatic gearbox of a Ford Ka
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Gearboxes have the advantage of being reputed to be solid, as you don’t need to use your clutch pedal and every thing is electronically and mechanically controlled there will be no premature wear of your clutch or other elements that could be put to the test by misuse on your component.
However, depending on the type of automatic transmission your Ford Ka is equipped with you will have more or less reliability, we will expose them to you now:
- Common automatic gearbox: It will use a torque converter, which will control the gear changes, it’s the oldest technology, it has evolved quite a lot in the last decades (more gears and a better management of the gear changes).
- Robotized automatic gearbox: This is a manual gearbox with a robotized system that will change the driver’s action. This type of gearbox is less and less general because they are thought to be very slow. We as well often feel a coupling during deceleration.
- Dual-clutch automatic transmission: This is the ultimate automatic transmission, it functions on similar principle as the robotic transmission, but thanks to its dual clutch, you won’t have any more problems with slow speeds or increased fuel consumption. They are often fitted on luxury models.
- Continuously variable automatic box: It is similar theory as on a scooter, a variator will come to control the differences between acceleration and motor speed, they are really slow and often be unresponsive during the acceleration phases of your Ford Ka.
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I’m having problems with the automatic transmission on my Ford Ka
We now start the component that definitely attracts you the most in this post, what are the problems you may face with the automatic transmission of your Ford Ka? As outlined earlier, generally speaking they are more reliable than manual transmissions, however, here are the most important problems you may face:
- As revealed above, no matter what type of automatic gearbox, they are often established to be slow and have inertia when accelerating. However, this phenomenon is supposed to appear just when the car is started, not when it is launched. If it feels like it occurs constantly, the clutch or converter is likely dead.
- I have the feeling that a gear in the automatic transmission of my Ford Ka no longer shifts or jumps: If you have the feeling that your gears no longer shift or often jump on your Ford Ka, there is a component that is most likely responsible for this failure. Obviously, the solenoid that works as a “switch” to engage the gears must not be functioning effectively, second option, a speed or engine speed sensor may be faulty and send the wrong information to your gearbox.
- If you feel drops caused by the automatic gearbox of your Ford Ka: If you feel a clutch when you go up or when you slow down, it is either your oil which is too old and which does not lubricate any more adequately all the mechanisms of your gearbox, or else a sensor which gives bad info
- My Ford Ka’s automatic transmission is leaking: At last, if your Ford Ka’s automatic transmission is leaking, it’s most probably one of your spy seals is too worn.
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How do I fix automatic transmission problems on a Ford Ka?
And finally, we’re going to try to give you the techniques to fix the automatic transmission problems on your Ford Ka . Find them below:
- Oil leak on the automatic gearbox of a Ford Ka: Find the origin of the leak, and change the concerned gasket, get it conducted by a professional, opening a gearbox is not easy. It will cost you a few hundred euros, especially for the labour. Do not think twice to read our article on gearbox oil leaks on Ford Ka.
- Sensor problem: No matter which sensor is involved, a replacement is the just remedy, sensors do not repair themselves, you should count from 100 to a few hundred euros dependent on the difficulty of access to the one that concerns you.
- Couplings: If you have problems with the couplings on your Ford Ka, you will only need to do a whole gearbox change to gain comfort and preserve your gears.
- The automatic gearbox of my Ford Ka slips: In this case, you most certainly have a dead clutch disc, you will have to change the clutch, and on some models you won’t be able to change it without doing a standard exchange of the gearbox, be prepared to spend more than a thousand euros.
There are other automatic transmission problems on Ford Ka, such as electronic problems or pressure problems, but this list lists the most important ones, no matter the reason, for such difficult mechanisms. As soon as you feel a problem on this level, we advise you to go quickly to your mechanic.
In the event that you have any further questions about the Ford Ka, do not hesitate to consult our Ford Ka category.
