BW55 automatic slipping or not engaging
Symptoms
Slipping between gears, delayed engagement from park to drive, no drive at all, harsh shifts.
Cause
The BW55 is a three-speed slushbox with no overdrive. It's a simple, robust design, but after 40+ years and 200,000 miles they wear out. Clutch packs glaze, seals leak, valve body passages clog with sludge. Lack of fluid changes is the usual culprit.
Fix
Check the ATF level and condition with the engine running and transmission at operating temperature.
If it's dark brown or smells burnt, you're too late, the transmission needs a rebuild.
If caught early, a fluid and filter change might help.
Remove the sump, replace the filter, clean the sump and magnet, refill with fresh Dexron II or III ATF (about 3.5 litres for a service, more for a complete refill).
If it's still slipping, budget for a rebuild or replacement.
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