“The King and the Clown” without teeth: what to do if the Kia Seltos has lost traction and does not change gears

If your Kia Seltos (popularly known as “The King and the Clown”) suddenly stopped responding to gas and caught fire Check Engine, and the gearbox “slips” or refuses to shift at all, the problem is 90% likely due to wear of torque converter gear teeth or automatic transmission solenoids. This defect manifests itself as characteristic “slippage” during acceleration, jerking in 2–3 gears and errors P0700 (transmission malfunction) or P0841 (incorrect pressure in the valve body). In advanced cases, the car completely loses the ability to move - the transmission “goes into emergency mode” or is blocked in one gear.

The reason lies in the design defect of the 6-speed automatic transmission A6GF1, which comes with Seltos 2020–2023 release. Due to low quality oil (or untimely replacement), the teeth of the plastic gear of the torque converter are worn out, and metal shavings clog the solenoids and channels of the valve body. As a result, the oil pressure drops, the clutches slip, and the electronics record critical errors. Without repair this leads to complete failure of the automatic transmission and the cost of restoration from 150,000 rubles.

This article contains step-by-step diagnostics of the problem, decoding of errors, methods for temporarily “resuscitating” the box and recommendations for major repairs. We will also look at how to distinguish tooth wear from other faults (for example, failure of mechatronics or clogged automatic transmission radiator) and why Changing the oil after symptoms appear may make the problem worse..

Signs of a “toothless” box on a Kia Seltos: how to recognize the problem

Symptoms of torque converter gear tooth wear on Kia Seltos appear gradually, but often owners ignore the first signals, attributing them to “features of the automatic transmission.” Here are the key fault markers:

• 🔴 Jerks when switching from 2nd to 3rd gear (especially when cold). It feels like the box is “stumbling.”
• 🔴 Reaction delay press the gas pedal - the speed increases, and acceleration is delayed by 1-2 seconds.
• 🔴 Rumble or grinding noise from under the hood when coasting (neutral or engine braking).
• 🔴 Check Engine lights up after the box warms up (after 10–15 km of travel).
• 🔴 Automatic transmission emergency mode — the transmission is fixed in 3rd gear and does not shift.

At later stages they add oil leak from under the automatic transmission crankcase (due to damage to the seals by chips) and complete blocking of movement — the car does not move forward or backward. If you ignore these symptoms, repairs will cost major disassembly of the box with replacement of the torque converter, solenoids and flushing of all channels.

⚠️ Attention: If after stopping the car does not start or stalls immediately when the selector is moved to D, this is a sign complete destruction of the torque converter gear. The machine cannot be operated in this condition - metal shavings can damage the pump and valve body.

Error codes: what do P0700, P0841 and others mean

When scanning Kia Seltos With a problematic automatic transmission, diagnostic scanners most often produce the following errors:

Error code	Description	Probable Cause	Urgency of elimination
P0700	Transmission malfunction	A general signal about a problem in the automatic transmission. Requires additional diagnostics.	Average
P0841	Incorrect fluid pressure in the valve body	Worn torque converter gear teeth or clogged solenoids.	High
P0730	Wrong gear ratio	Clutch slippage due to low oil pressure.	High
P0740	Torque converter lock-up malfunction	Worn or damaged gear teeth.	Critical

Errors P0841 and P0740 - direct indicators of a problem with the torque converter. If they appear along with P0700, the probability of gear tooth wear is 95%. For an accurate diagnosis you will need:

1. Count errors specialized scanner (for example, Launch X431 or Autel MaxiCOM), and not the universal ELM327.
2. Check automatic transmission oil pressure (normal: 1.2–1.5 bar at idle, 4–6 bar under load).
3. Inspect oil for metal shavings (just drop a drop on a white napkin).

Why “The King and the Clown” is losing teeth: technical reasons

The main reason for wear on the torque converter gear teeth is Kia Seltos — design defect of automatic transmission A6GF1, which manifests itself when three conditions are met:

1. Low quality oil or its untimely replacement (recommended interval - every 60,000 km, but many owners ignore this).
2. Box overheating due to a clogged radiator or aggressive driving style (towing, sudden starts).
3. Using non-original fluid (for example, Dexron VI instead of SP-IV).

As a result, the plastic gear of the torque converter is erased, and metal shavings fall into:

• 🔧 Solenoids — clogs the channels, disrupting the pressure.
• 🔧 Hydraulic unit — damages valves and plungers.
• 🔧 Pump - accelerates its wear.

Secondary factors accelerating destruction:

• 🚗 Riding with trailer or overload (exceeding the permissible weight).
• 🚗 Frequent towing other cars.
• 🚗 Long lasting stuck in traffic jams (oil overheating).

More information about oil for A6GF1

Original automatic transmission fluid Kia Seltos — Hyundai/Kia ATF SP-IV (article 04500-00100). Replacement with analogues (for example, Mobil ATF 3309) is allowed, but reduces the life of the box by 20–30%. When changing the oil, be sure to change automatic transmission filter (article 46321-3B000) and wash the pan.

What to do right away: temporary measures and diagnostics

If symptoms have just appeared, you can try slow down the destruction of the box and get to the service:

1. Check the oil level in the automatic transmission (should be between MIN and MAX on the dipstick).

2. If the oil is black or smells like burning, do not change it yourself (this may worsen the blockage).

3. Avoid sudden starts and towing.

4. Switch the selector to N on long descents (to reduce the load on the torque converter).

5. Sign up for diagnostics at a service with repair experience A6GF1.-->

Do-it-yourself oil change prohibited, if:

• 🚫 Metal shavings are visible in the oil (this will speed up the wear of new parts).
• 🚫 The box is already in emergency mode (needs disassembly).
• 🚫 Lit P0740 or P0841 (risk of damaging solenoids).

For accurate diagnostics, the service must:

1. Count errors professional scanner (not ELM327!).
2. Check oil pressure in the valve body (with a pressure gauge through the technological hole).
3. Remove the pan and inspect magnets for chips.
4. Carry out test drive with a connected scannerto track solenoid parameters in real time.

⚠️ Attention: If the service offers to “just change the oil” without disassembling the box, this is fraud. The chips will remain in the valve body, and after 1–2 thousand km the problem will return.

Repair or replacement: what to choose and how much it costs

There are three options to solve the problem:

Option	What does it include	Cost (RUB)	Repair period	Warranty
Partial renovation	Replacing the torque converter gear + flushing the valve body	80 000 – 120 000	2–3 days	6–12 months
Major renovation	Automatic transmission disassembly, replacement of all worn parts (clutches, solenoids, bearings)	150 000 – 220 000	5–7 days	1–2 years
Replacement with a contract automatic transmission	Installation of a used box with a guarantee (risk of repeated breakdown)	180 000 – 250 000	1–2 days	3–6 months

Optimal choice - major renovation, because:

• ✅ The warranty is longer than for a contract box.
• ✅ New parts are used (not used ones with an unknown resource).
• ✅ Can be replaced all weak points (for example, update the mechatronics firmware).

A contract automatic transmission is cheaper, but:

• ❌ There is no guarantee that she was not in an accident.
• ❌ Risk of repeated wear of the teeth (if the previous owner did not take care of the oil).
• ❌ Often requires additional adaptation to the car.

How to prevent re-wear: prevention

After repairing or replacing the automatic transmission with Kia Seltos Follow the rules to avoid relapse:

• 🔧 Change the oil every 50–60 thousand km (even if the manufacturer specifies a larger interval).
• 🔧 Use only original oil ATF SP-IV.
• 🔧Rinse automatic transmission radiator every 100 thousand km (it becomes clogged with wear products).
• 🔧 Avoid sharp starts and towing (especially in the heat).
• 🔧 Check once a year oil level (even if there are no leaks).

Also recommended:

• 🔧 Install additional automatic transmission radiator (article Hayden 679), if you often travel with a trailer.
• 🔧 Reset once every 30 thousand km automatic transmission adaptation through the scanner (this prevents the solenoids from sticking).
• 🔧 At the first sign of jerking go immediately for diagnostics.

If you follow these rules, the service life of the repaired automatic transmission will be 150–200 thousand km without serious problems.

Frequent mistakes owners make during repairs

Many drivers Kia Seltos aggravate the problem due to incorrect actions. That's what can't do:

• 🚫 Change the oil yourself after the chips appear, this will spread them throughout the entire box.
• 🚫 Driving with the Check Engine Light on “until it breaks completely.”
• 🚫 Use additives (for example, Liqui Moly ATF Additive) - they do not restore teeth, but only mask the symptoms.
• 🚫 Save on diagnostics, trusting “Uncle Vasya” with a garage scanner.
• 🚫 Buy a contract automatic transmission without checking (you need to look at the history by VIN).

A typical scenario for the problem to worsen:

1. The owner ignores the jerks, attributing them to “features of the box.”
2. After 5–10 thousand km it appears P0700but it just throws an error.
3. After another 3 thousand km, the transmission goes into emergency mode, and repairs instead of 80 thousand rubles. now costs 200 thousand rubles.

⚠️ Attention: If the service suggests “just flushing the valve body” without replacing the torque converter gear, this is a temporary measure. The chips will remain in the box, and after 5–10 thousand km the problem will return.

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to drive with error code P0700 if the car is still moving?

No. Error P0700 - this is a signal about critical fault in automatic transmission. Even if the car is moving, every kilometer increases wear and tear. It is especially dangerous to drive with this error in traffic jams or on the highway (overheating will accelerate destruction).

How much does it cost to replace the torque converter gear separately?

The gear itself (part number 46310-3B000) costs ~15,000 rubles, but its replacement requires disassembling the torque converter, which costs 30–50 thousand rubles. Total: 45–65 thousand rubles. excluding flushing of the hydraulic unit.

Could the problem be in the mechatronics and not the teeth?

Yes, but mechatronics usually gives other errors: P0715 (input shaft sensor), P0720 (output shaft sensor) or P0731 (1st gear malfunction). If there are no errors, but only P0700 + P0841, the torque converter is at fault.

What happens if the box is not repaired?

After 5–15 thousand km (depending on driving style) the following will happen:

1. Full torque converter failure (the car will not move).
2. Destruction solenoids and valve body (repairs will cost 200+ thousand rubles).
3. Damage automatic transmission pump (replacement of the box assembly will be required).

Is it possible to sell a car with such a problem?

It’s possible, but the price will drop by 30–50%. Buyers Kia Seltos they know about the problem with the automatic transmission and will bargain. It is more honest to indicate the actual condition in the ad (for example: “Automatic transmission repair required, error P0700”).