Stupid question, I know....

[KML1976]

Please don't vent your collective opprobrium at my naivety - my recent Stag purchase is an automatic (whereas my first one was a manual, and I had hitherto never driven any automatic before).

I've driven it a few times but the one thing I'm bemoaning the absence of is that capacity to select the appropriate gear to make the appropriate noise at the appropriate time.

I've found that in 'Drive' the auto-transmission moves up into 2nd very quickly but I want to over-ride that when I'm trundling around at low speeds.

If I engage drive gear 1 can I shift it safely into drive gear 2 and 'Drive' generally whilst on the move? I'm almost certain the answer is yes as any response otherwise would seem to negate the purpose of an automatic - I'm also well aware that manuals can be shifted around without use of the clutch so long as the revs are right (have had to do this a couple of times in the past with other cars due to clutch failure).

I'm minded to experiment but don't wish to do so unnecessarily so if there are any Stag auto folk on here I'd appreciate any tips you may have regarding keeping the vehicle at its most vocal whilst going along at speeds under 25mph.

Many thanks.

[Kevin Garrod]

Absolutely you can.
You can use 1 or 2 to descend steep hills for example or to hold onto lower gears for acceleration etc.
If you try to change down at too high a speed the box won't let you, be sensible but don't worry.

[DJT]

What he says. I often hear people saying that there is no engine braking with an auto. They don't seem to realise that there are more shift positions than PNRD....

[V Mad]

Also check the adjustment of your kickdown cable. This affects the automatic upshift speeds 1-2, and 2-3. .

[milothedog]

Also check the adjustment of your kickdown cable. This affects the automatic upshift speeds 1-2, and 2-3. .

From what he say's in his post it's doing what a properly set up Stag does. If you start to adjust it too much you will start to get harsh changes and the kickdown coming in to early

All I think he wanted to know was is it OK to drive it like a manual using the selector. Also when in 2 it will hold on to 1st longer anyway

[SGN]

Where in S Wales are you?

Steve

[V Mad]

[QUOTE=milothedog;304179] and the kickdown coming in to early
/QUOTE]
Yeh, that sounds perfick...

[Seaking]

If you read up on the bw35 gearbox starting off in 1 will allow you to accelerate hard and manually shift up to 2 then drive ( sort of sports mode). In the past I owned a 2.5pi equipped with a bw35 and no kick down connected what fun i had with that car.

cheers Glenn

[KML1976]

Well, my attempts to experiment this afternoon were well and truly stymied - turned the ignition key and no sign of life whatsoever; even the radio won't turn on. It's hard to fathom given that the battery is brand new and Lumenition ignition is fitted. Grrr!

Ps - SGN, I'm in Swansea.

[Goldstar]

Did you just get a click by any chance?

[KML1976]

Did you just get a click by any chance?

Nope. Nothing. Dead as a dodo.

I'll have to wait till next weekend to get it sorted.

[V Mad]

Sounds like a bad battery connection or bad earth to chassis.

[Paul Roberts]

I know the purists will object, but;

Fit a modern, high torque, starter motor and move on.

It goes without saying; check and eliminate any crap wiring as a part of this exercise.

[KML1976]

Thanks for the input, guys.

Yes, my sixth sense tells me it's something significant and I aim to get it resolved next weekend.

Nothing worse than a car that won't start.

I fear it'll be a few months before I become au fait with my new Stag's idiosyncrasies.

Still, it's February, not June, so things could be a lot worse!

[Kevin Garrod]

I know the purists will object, but;

Fit a modern, high torque, starter motor and move on.

It goes without saying; check and eliminate any crap wiring as a part of this exercise.

I'm sorry but I wouldn't start by replacing the starter, if you excuse the clumsy irony.
If the ignition isn't even coming on there is something simple and fundamental wrong as has been suggested check the wiring and work through.