MajorCommonTransmission

Renault Megane: DP0 / AL4 Automatic Gearbox Solenoid Pack Wear

DP0 / AL4 Automatic Gearbox Solenoid Pack Wear is a common transmission fault on the Renault Megane on the 2002–2012 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $800 to $3,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 27 documented faults on the Renault Megane.

Vehicle: Renault Megane
Years: 2002–2012
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: auto
System: Transmission

This page covers the Renault Megane as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Renault Megane faults27 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Mechatronic / valve body yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

Megane models with the DP0 (Renault) / AL4 (PSA) 4-speed automatic gearbox suffer premature solenoid pack degradation when ATF changes are skipped. Worn solenoids cause jerky, harsh, or delayed gearchanges. Late-stage failure results in limp mode locked in 3rd gear. Renault and Peugeot share this transmission and the fault is documented across both brands extensively. Solenoid pack and ATF flush may resolve early cases; worn valve bodies require remanufacture.

What you would notice

Harsh or jerky upshifts, particularly 1-2 and 2-3
Delayed engagement from park or neutral into drive
Transmission warning light
Limp mode restricting car to 3rd gear only

How to check it

Where to look. Automatic gearbox valve body, accessible from underside

Drive through all gear ranges noting any hesitation or harshness, especially the 1-2 upshift.
Scan TCU for fault codes.
Check ATF colour — should be translucent red; dark brown indicates overdue fluid and accelerated solenoid wear.

Parts involved: Mechatronic / valve body.

What it costs to put right

$800 to $3,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Has the automatic transmission fluid ever been changed?”
“Have there been any harsh, jerky, or delayed gearchanges?”
“Has the gearbox ever gone into limp mode or shown a warning?”

Now check the Renault Megane you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Renault Megane buyer questions

Is dp0 / al4 automatic gearbox solenoid pack wear serious on a Renault Megane?

We rate it major and common on the Renault Megane. Megane models with the DP0 (Renault) / AL4 (PSA) 4-speed automatic gearbox suffer premature solenoid pack degradation when ATF changes are skipped. Worn solenoids cause jerky, harsh, or delayed gearchanges. Late-stage failure results in limp mode locked in 3rd gear. Renault and Peugeot share this transmission and the fault is documented across both brands extensively. Solenoid pack and ATF flush may resolve early cases; worn valve bodies require remanufacture.

How much does it cost to fix on a Renault Megane?

$800 to $3,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Renault Megane years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2002–2012 Renault Megane. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Drive through all gear ranges noting any hesitation or harshness, especially the 1-2 upshift. Scan TCU for fault codes. Check ATF colour — should be translucent red; dark brown indicates overdue fluid and accelerated solenoid wear. Look here: Automatic gearbox valve body, accessible from underside