Hi Guys,

My vectra transmission is misbehaving. When I put the gear stick to �D�, gear shifts normally. But when I stop the car at traffic light (when stick is in �D�), gear slips to neutral. Then I have to accelerate hard to get the gear back to 1 (or change the gear stick to �N� and put back to �D�). No problem with gear shifting when the car is moving(change to 2 gear in 20km/h, change to 3 in 40km/h). Transmission fluid colour is brown.
What could be the reasons?

Thanks

Vectras have a 'neutral/idle' system, where when you pull up at traffic lights the auto will slip straight into neutral & the idle will drop accordingly. It's a fuel saving device which usually works quite well, although it can be frustrating if you're not used to it.

You shouldn't need to accelerate 'hard' to make it work. It should slip into drive within 0.5 second after you've taking your foot off the brake pedal. As soon as the computer 'sees' that your foot is off the brakes, it 'knows' you wish to drive off. Try a bit of practice in a quiet street. Pull up to a stop & then release the brakes, it should go back into drive fairly quickly. If it doesn't work as I've described, get a pro to check it out.

The Vectras use an Aisin-Warner auto trans which is one of the most common 4-speed electronic autos on the market & they are pretty bulletproof.

Dr Terry