Ssanyong Musso Gearbox Issue

**JON** · 2014/08/17, 05:24 PM

Hi all Ssanyong owners - i have a friend who has a 1999 Ssanyong Musso 2.9tdi with an auto box. The vehicle all of sudden and without any warning signs will not change into top gear (4th) I think. It changes perfectly from start up to 3rd.
Gearbox oil has been changed , all harnesses have been checked for wiring issues , no codes reflecting on computer readouts. Has anyone experienced this?
Thanks Jon

**Vuurmaker** · 2014/08/17, 08:05 PM

Jon pm Aceventura. He knows who to take it too

**JON** · 2014/08/17, 08:41 PM

Thanks will do

**AceVentura** · 2014/08/18, 11:25 AM

Hi Jon

Is this the mercedes auto box or the btra box? The mercedes one has the dip stick for the gearbox oil.

I think yours would be the BTRA box. The MB box is solid and one of the best tranny's build by MB.

It could be the gear sensor or TPS (throttle position sensor).

I'll start with testing the TPS (common problem on the BTRA's) - send me a PM and I'll reply with my details and will forward some info.

**CWolfe** · 2024/05/16, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by AceVentura

Hi Jon

Is this the mercedes auto box or the btra box? The mercedes one has the dip stick for the gearbox oil.

I think yours would be the BTRA box. The MB box is solid and one of the best tranny's build by MB.

It could be the gear sensor or TPS (throttle position sensor).

I'll start with testing the TPS (common problem on the BTRA's) - send me a PM and I'll reply with my details and will forward some info.

Hi everyone,

This is my first post. I recently bought a 2004 Musso 2.9 TD Sports. All seemed well until, after a week of use, it would kick down to 3rd for no reason and sometimes stay there. Sometimes it would happen when I was doing 110kph on a highway which is pretty scary. Luckily, I found this forum, and this particular thread, after many searches. My stepfather helped me get this vehicle as a "get in and go" as I do not have much money to throw at mechanical issues. It's a really nice vehicle all round, a few minor things to look at, but all round seems well looked after.
After reading this thread I figured I should replace the TPS but not having finances for it I decided to clean it, and then my step father cleaned it again. This actually did help, quite significantly, for about 3 weeks, and then the problems returned. I thought I could clean the TPS again (intending to buy a new one month end), but I was very wrong.
I now do not have reverse, and it sticks in 3rd for really long (all the way up to 80kph, sometimes even 100), and quite often never changing to 4th at all. I have been driving daily for work, but now I am in a bit of a pickle. I have of course parked her and borrowed my mothers car. I've taken off the TPS as a sample to go and buy a new one. I did notice that there seems to be a bit of play where the unit attaches, probably to allow for some adjustment, making me think that I might not be able to install the new unit in the correct position. And, having reread this thread, realised that there could also be an issue with the gear sensor/selector. My Gear lever does seem to be a bit sticky and I really don't want to apply too much force when taking it out of park and putting it in gear.
Besides all that, there are a few wiring issues that I would really like to get to soon. Nothing serious fortunately; the lighter sockets have no power so I cannot charge my phone in the car, and the window switches don't work too well in the rear, etc, but these are minor annoyances.
I know this is an old thread, but if anyone can help me out with this, if there is a Ssangyong mechanic in Cape Town that is trust worthy and well priced? Should I replace the TPS and take it from there? Is there anyone knowledgeable on this forum that lives in CT and is willing to pop in and give me some advice? I am honestly in a bit of a financial bind so any help is very much appreciated.

As a last note, after I found this forum mentioning the TPS being an issue, I Googled it. Great, the TPS definitely can cause the erratic gear changes. Cool. So I went to an autogearbox specialist in Stikland, thinking I could just get one from them, but maybe let them have a look and see. I asked the main gearbox mechanic there, Mark I think his name is, if the TPS can cause the problem. He said, absolutely not. He also said that they would have to strip the entire box to see what is wrong, and that it could cost me up to R30k. It was a shake down. I worked in the industry many years ago, I know how it goes, which is why I have asked if anyone knows a trust worthy mechanic - they are unicorns.

Thanks for reading my long winded post! If anyone can help please get in touch, I am at my wits end and I really need to get back on the road.
Thank you

**Barry James** · 2019/04/17, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by JON

Hi all Ssanyong owners - i have a friend who has a 1999 Ssanyong Musso 2.9tdi with an auto box. The vehicle all of sudden and without any warning signs will not change into top gear (4th) I think. It changes perfectly from start up to 3rd.
Gearbox oil has been changed , all harnesses have been checked for wiring issues , no codes reflecting on computer readouts. Has anyone experienced this?
Thanks Jon

Hi Jon,
I have exactly the same problem on my Ssanyong.
Did you find out what the problem was?
Please let me know.
Best regards.

**BrusselSprout** · 2019/04/26, 07:11 AM

Originally Posted by Barry James

Hi Jon,I have exactly the same problem on my Ssanyong.Did you find out what the problem was?Please let me know.Best regards.

just seen its a very old thread.Barry James - have a look at my previous post.

**BrusselSprout** · 2019/04/26, 07:08 AM

Originally Posted by JON

Hi all Ssanyong owners - i have a friend who has a 1999 Ssanyong Musso 2.9tdi with an auto box. The vehicle all of sudden and without any warning signs will not change into top gear (4th) I think. It changes perfectly from start up to 3rd.
Gearbox oil has been changed , all harnesses have been checked for wiring issues , no codes reflecting on computer readouts. Has anyone experienced this?
Thanks Jon

Hi JON,
Similar thing happened to me (i have a 2,9 Korando auto - but i'm guessing they're probably the same engine and transmission) - except i could get to 4th, but it would change down to 3rd without warning then wouldn't want to get back to 4th.

It was the throttle position sensor. Changed it about 2 years ago and haven't had an issue since.
(my mechanic told me when he changed it that when he's done it in the past, the car might do it again... if so - then it just needs to be reset - didn't happen to me though, worked first time)
hope that helps