Auto Cappuccinos

[Ryan Clarke]

Does any one know how these go

I would have thought the little 660 cc would be a big sluggish with only 3 gears

Was there much demand for these. I would not like to have mine in auto, what do all you people think ?

[Nicholas Claydon]

I am probably the best person to answer your question as i have owned both manual and automatic versions.

The Automatic version is not noticeably different in speed and acceleration to a standard manual Cappuccino it is however a much smoother drive and removes the need for frantic gear changing. The automatic box also provides a more relaxing drive in built up traffic situations where constant clutching becomes unneccessary.

Fuel consumption is within 2-3 mpg of one another.

Overall performance is just as exciting as the manual version.

My automatic version also has the later EA21R chain driven camshaft engine which produces slightly more torque than the UK manual versions.
I believe that all the auto versions had this improved engine.

Using the manual selection on the automatic transmission also enables holding in first and second gears enabling good use of the Engines rev range for 'country lane' driving.

I have had equal fun driving both my Cappuccinos and i have recently sold my manual version and my auto is currently up for sale.

For anybody looking to buy a Cappuccino then consider both transmission versions- All Cappuccinos are great to drive.

[Ryan Clarke]

"All Cappuccinos are great to drive".

Very valid argument

[David Regan]

How many are in the UK?

[Alex Clouter]

We did have one automatic Cappo in SCORE a few years ago as the guy came to a National Rally.

It was a 3-speed auto transmission and it came from the Suzuki Swift.

[Ian Linden]

How many are in the UK?

Very few, I expect. We have 5 EA21Rs on the register, auto or manual, but only two in the UK. As EA21s were not imported by Suzuki, they will all be second-hand imports from Japan, and most importers avoid them, because Suzuki GB do not stock spares for the engines.

[Paul Treby]

here is a photo of an EA21R auto interior, just for fun

[David Regan]

Daft question, but can a manual car be converted into an automatic?

The above post says that the gearbox came from a Swift?

[Adrian Furniss]

The above post says that the gearbox came from a Swift?

Probably shorthand for "Suzuki based the Cappuccino's auto box on the Swift's auto box."

Significant redesign, to the casing if not the internals, will have taken place as the Cappo is rear wheel drive and the Swift is front/4WD.

I'm sure Alex will be able to confirm. I think he still worked for Suzuki at that time (mid/late 90s) and has lots of detailed knowledge.

[David Regan]

Yipeee!!!!!!!!

[Ian Linden]

Piece of cake, old boy

You'll need a few parts, as shown in the EA21 Parts Catalogue (under Cappuccino manuals) Figs 28 to 40, 42 and 43, swap wiring harnesses Nos 1 and 5 (see Fig 55), change the ECU/add the TCM (whichever applies) (not sure) and throw in items 33 to 38 in Fig 56. Not sure if you'd need to fit the K6A engine with the ECU, if it changed, but I expect so. Oh, and the instrument cluster.

Maybe a bit more, but if you have a written-off auto Cappo, should be ok. If not..............

[Dick Winchester]

The idea of an automatic Cappo just doesn't appeal somehow..

A "flappy paddle" gearbox would surely be more appropriate nowadays..

[Helen Bird]

Hello
I have a 1996 automatic transmission, and when selecting 'Drive' it seems to be stuck in 'top' (though I can select lower gears manually). I have spoken to an automatic transmission garage who said that will definitely be an electrical problem, not a gearbox problem, and I need a Suzuki dealer to talk to the OBD. My nearest Suzuki dealer confirms it does not have OBD, and suggests changing the gearbox oil. The problem is, they have only recently converted from being a Skoda dealership and have none of the 'old' Suzuki equipment. Does anybody use an old Suzuki dealership anywhere not a million miles from Cambridge? Does anybody know anybody who has ever had any work done on an automatic transmission Cappuccino? Would it help to tell them it is much like a Swift transmission (as someone posted previously)?
Thank you!
Helen

[Ian Linden]

Not exactly next door, but the one Suzuki dealership we can recommend without hesitation is Levoi's of Colchester.

They have been a club favourite since the Cappo was originally sold.

Unfortunately, we don't have any technical information about the automatic transmission, but it is quite likely to be of the same vintage as the original Vitara three-speed, which is a non-electronic box. I think that works with hydraulic valves, and they can benefit from draining and replacing the fluid, so it would be worth a try.

Do let us know how you get on.

[Helen Bird]

Hello
Just to let you know I left the car at LeVoi's nearly three weeks ago, but they have been unable to get a service manual in order to do any diagnostics. Apparently Suzuki GB refuse to ask Suzuki Japan, and the dealership is not allowed to do so. I am now trying to contact someone at Suzuki Japan myself, to see if anyone can translate part of the Japanese service manual for us!

[Ian Linden]

Higher up this thread is a statement that the gearbox is believed to be based on that of an automatic Swift, which makes a lot of sense, as they would not have developed a completely new unit for a limited production model. Maybe someone has a Service Manual for the old Swift?

Another source of help is the EA21R Parts Catalog, which has a large number of figures of parts of the box (all those with AT). Click Manuals at the top of the page. That should give an experienced AT mechanic a good idea how the box works. My guess is that a company specialising in auto boxes is more likely to offer a solution.

You could try http://www.staautogearbox.co.uk/. They offer free quotations, and may be able to recognise the type of gearbox from experience, rather than hoping for English documentation specific to the Cappo (which I fear does not exist).

[Helen Bird]

I spoke to an automatic transmission place near LeVoi's. They seemed sure it's not the gearbox but an electrical problem. They suggested talking to the ODB which doesn't exist. It's disappointing , but I'm starting to think it might have to just carry on driving it like a manual!

[Helen Bird]

Thanks for the advice on the parts manual. I wil try that. I have tried mentioning the similarity to the Swift transmission, but they don't seem to think it will be the same due to the rear wheel drive.

[Ian Linden]

I spoke to an automatic transmission place near LeVoi's. They seemed sure it's not the gearbox but an electrical problem. They suggested talking to the ODB which doesn't exist. It's disappointing , but I'm starting to think it might have to just carry on driving it like a manual!

Check out Figs 42 and 43. It shows that the connection between the gearshift and the box is totally mechanical. The only electrical part shown is the illumination! I'm sure the gearbox is totally mechanical and hydraulic. Diagnosis by electronic means is just not possible. If an AT "expert" doesn't understand that, he's not aware of such old-fashioned gearboxes, and is useless to you.

[Ian Linden]

Thanks for the advice on the parts manual. I wil try that. I have tried mentioning the similarity to the Swift transmission, but they don't seem to think it will be the same due to the rear wheel drive.

No, it won't be the same, but the basic control will likely be identical. Again, if they don't appreciate that, they don't possess the requisite knowledge/experience.