Gear Selection Issue on Mazda Scrum mini van - tiptronic AMT transmission switch

Hi guys. How has the day been for you'll? Today to make things interesting we were prompted to look into a issue where once you slide the gear selector to the "D" position it switches over to "M" and you have to change the gears manually using the "+" or "-" option. It has started by occasionally happening but then it became permanent. 

The main thing that comes to mind is the gear selector has an issue and will need replacement. Since that was a bit costly repair we thought of doing a scan on the system and was surprised to notice something unusual even though there was no fault code present. Our attention was to the battery voltage as it was quite below the standard and by further checking we noticed even the start didn't have much punch. 

Well first thing first we went for the replacement of the battery and vola that sorted a major part of the problem as the frequency of it happening almost disappeared. Anyway to be more sure we looked into the relays, cleaned the contacts using contact cleaner and wiping away the dust. Did a re scan and everything was back to normal. So once that was done did a drive based on some testing conditions and pleased to say that it seems the problem was solved. Waiting for an update as of yet, since just released the vehicle.

This avoided replacing an unnecessary part and also keeping the cost low. In addition eliminating a future break down. So happy and relieved.

What is Tiptronic transmission

A tiptronic transmission is an automatic gearbox with the option to change gears manually. It allows you greater control of when you change gears, which is ideal for going up a hill efficiently or for better control when overtaking on the highway.

Automated Manual Transmission

Automated Manual Transmission or AMT, is also known as Semi-Automatic Transmission (SAT) or Clutchless Manual Transmission (CMT).

AMT operates on the manual transmission of a car in the way a driver would: it engages and disengages the clutch and gears but without the aid of the driver. AMT is more fuel efficient than an automatic transmission, which reduces efficiency by up to 10%, in most cases.

It's a manual gear box with auto changing with no need to press and release the clutch pedal.