Holden Barina Gearbox & Transmission Problems

Losing particular gears can be a symptom of internal transmission damage, but it can also indicate a simpler problem with the selector mechanism that joins the gear stick to the gearbox. However, if this was the case, you’d probably lose two gears on the same selector plane (such as first and second or third and fourth) not first and fifth which are at opposite ends of the shifter mechanism.

If there was internal gearbox damage, you’d possibly also be noting other noises and problems caused by the internal carnage, which makes me think the internal selector mechanism might be at fault. At which point, it’s probably a gearbox-out repair.

However, a transmission specialist that knows this gearbox well may have a different opinion and should be your first port of call. A specialist will save you time and money in the long run.

A manual car that jumps out of gear is usually a case of a worn gearbox. As the internals and gear selectors wear over time, they become loose, allowing the vehicle to jump into neutral.

The first check would be to see that the external linkage to the gearbox (a cable in the Barina’s case) is correctly adjusted and not about to fall apart. If that’s the case, you might find that the selector is not fully engaging each gear, and that’s why it’s jumping out of that gear. But beyond that, the problem is likely to be caused by wear inside the mechanical bits of the transmission.

Short of an utter mechanical failure such as a broken driveshaft or snapped gearbox input shaft, I’d say your automatic transmission is at fault. If you can feel the gears being selected (which you say you can) that’s a good start, but if there’s no movement form the car when you apply the throttle, then you could be dealing with anything from a broken gearbox or differential to a simple case of low transmission-fluid level.

Check the owner’s manual for the correct procedure for checking the fluid level and give it a try. If the level’s low, drive can certainly be affected and a top-up might put things right. Beyond that, you need to let a mechanic look at the car.

It could be a number of things, bearings being one, but I would suggest you have a mechanic drive it to tell you with more certainty. I doubt you would need a new gearbox.

You can’t. It’s filled with fluid in the factory and that’s it for the life of the car. If you want it checked or changed an automatic transmission mechanic could do it for you.

He shouldn’t have done anything without disconnecting the battery. The computer is the component that senses a crash situation and moving it has caused it to set off the airbags. My view is that it’s the mechanic’s problem.

I would expect that the issues relating to the air-conditioner and airbags would be covered by the warranty, if you are told that it isn't then kick up a stick. Contact Holden Customer Service on 1800 033 349.

While the carmakers will tell you the transmission is filled for life the old timers in the auto business will tell you otherwise. It’s wise to regularly check the transmission fluid, and change it every 20,000-40,000 km depending on the use. You can leave it longer if it’s being used for normal driving, but if it’s towing it should be changed sooner rather than later. The transmission is working fine and it’s got fresh fluid, so there’s no reason to think there’s a problem on the horizon.

Yes, any competent mechanic can do it, there’s no need to have a Holden dealer do the work.

Yes, it is worth checking. It could just be leaking and need new seals, but it really depends on the rate of the leak. If it’s leaking at a rapid rate you should be able to see oil on your driveway, if it’s not it might just be that you need to check it once a week and top it up as needed. If you are worried take it to your dealer, or an auto transmission specialist.