Tranny problem, just when stage 3

[Caddy7]

I finished the stage 3 install and put in a new torque converter. (Its a TIP) When starting it back up the motor runs fine but when I try to drive away it beraly moves... I putt it into drive and when giving gas the rpm rises but it's like a slipping clutch trying to start on a higher gear. So I went very easy on it and even got up to speed, no shifts at all, it must be stuck in a high gear. It wont even shift in manual mode.

Any ideas on this?

[Blue_S4]

low trans fluid. check that, make sure its topped off. cant be even a little low.


could have also gone into limp mode. vag it and post up any trans codes.

[Caddy7]

I topped it up 3 times, last time after driving around the block....

I only have a "hand held" code reader at my disposal today. But if it is in limp mode, do I just erase the code and its done?

[Iosilver]

make sure your display on the dash shows P R N D if not it's your Neutral Safety switch.
Vag= your best friend

[gunchs4]

i would think it is your valvebody, i just had my tranny built at 517 and had the same problem. I couldnt transer power, I double checked the fluid level a couple times and it was all good. Called Sam at 517 and he said the only other thing it could be is the valve body. I am currently waiting for the new one so I can put it in and see if that fixes it. I am hoping so... to be continued.

[Caddy7]

make sure your display on the dash shows P R N D if not it's your Neutral Safety switch.
Vag= your best friend

What is this switch? Where is it located? My pixels are all gone in the display...

[Iosilver]

You need to Vag com an check for codes since your display is out. It's on the tranny it tells the ECU what gear your in. I'd start by using VAG-com then Check fluid. Good luck man.
Off subject but I was thinking of goin out to Cali, Huntington to be more specific to hit up the Pier. How's the vibe(surfers) in the water over there?

[Maverick]

I think it is the VB of the tranny.

upgrading the TC is not enough. Sam recommended me to do the TC and VB at the same time.

without upgrading the VB, it just delays the shifting

[Caddy7]

You need to Vag com an check for codes since your display is out. It's on the tranny it tells the ECU what gear your in. I'd start by using VAG-com then Check fluid. Good luck man.
Off subject but I was thinking of goin out to Cali, Huntington to be more specific to hit up the Pier. How's the vibe(surfers) in the water over there?

Iosilver, I'm not a big surfer but I hear that beginners should keep away from surfing next to the pier. I've only surfed a 2 times this year and that was 1/4mile north of the pier, close to the dog beach. Big waves and all cool/good people there.

[Caddy7]

Another input on my problem is that it was all running great before I pulled the engine (VB, tranny, all).

I changed the TC because the clutch stuck code was on, so when I changed the TC I might as well go stage 3 when I'm in there, right.

[S4 in_lowplaces]

Right.

Problem your having is more the likely your fluid level. Did you change your fluid your self? If your car was shifting before the TC swap and now it isnt then it isnt your valve body. When your filling the TC you need to start the car, unscrew the fill plug and start pumping ATF in there. ALso, our TIP trannys, somtimes need to be reset. This is done just like your resetting your ECU.(e.g Leaving the key in the on position for 3 minutes.) let me do som searching and I'll let you know.

[AudiTechS4]

are you sure the torque converter was indexed correctly and is catching the front pump
Hope this helps.

Torque Converter, Installing

Special tools and workshop equipment required
- Depth gauge
– Slide in converter hub through the sealing ring up to the first stop.
– Rotate torque converter inward with light pressure, until the groove of the torque converter hub engages in the coupling plate of the pump wheel and the torque converter slides inward noticeably.
Installation dimension

If the Torque converter is inserted properly, the dimension between the surface of the mounting eyes and the surface of the torque converter housing is at least 23 mm.
If the torque converter is not inserted completely, this distance will be approx. 11 mm.

[AudiTechS4]

either it was installed wrong or the tc is faulty

[Caddy7]

Ok, I read the codes and erased them at a local shop, we also saw that it is stuck in 4th gear.

18232 Pressure Control Valve 2 open. P1824
18232 Pressure Control Valve 3 open. P1819

We erased them but it is still no difference... He suggested to clean and dubble check the cables that goes in to the tranny underneth. Since I have not tuched the valvebody it should be fine. TC is also working, it just have a tuff time slipping a car up to speed using only 4th gear.

[S4 in_lowplaces]

you said you did this your self right? If so, what process did you use to fill the tranny with fluid? Where did you get the TC from. Was it your old one?

[Caddy7]

I got the gears now, after unplugging and plugging back those 2 connectors and erasing the codes it is now running!!!!

So I drove it around for a little bit, then when I almost died of the urge to try what the K04 could do I gave it some gas and this grinding/scraping sound.

[02alltoad]

it could be that the drive shaft is hitting the heat shield when the motor/tranny is under load that happend to me on the last s4 clutch i did. hope that helps

[Caddy7]

That heat shield really make sence! I'm checking that tonight.

In a way it sounds similar to ABS while driving on ice... could it be something with the ABS? The sound definately comes from the right side, hard to say if it comes from the front middle or back.

[johnkent1212]

are you sure the torque converter was indexed correctly and is catching the front pump
Hope this helps.

Torque Converter, Installing

Special tools and workshop equipment required
- Depth gauge
– Slide in converter hub through the sealing ring up to the first stop.
– Rotate torque converter inward with light pressure, until the groove of the torque converter hub engages in the coupling plate of the pump wheel and the torque converter slides inward noticeably.
Installation dimension

If the Torque converter is inserted properly, the dimension between the surface of the mounting eyes and the surface of the torque converter housing is at least 23 mm.
If the torque converter is not inserted completely, this distance will be approx. 11 mm.

x2 .....I'd put money on that.

[Reich]

How did you fill that tranny?
You need to raise vehicule, secure it on jack stands. Let her run at idle and fill oil into the big hole with the 7mm halen under oil pan until fluid spills from that hole at temps between 35-45c. Put the plug back stop the engine and your done.
Hope that helped.

[Reich]

I got the gears now, after unplugging and plugging back those 2 connectors and erasing the codes it is now running!!!!

So I drove it around for a little bit, then when I almost died of the urge to try what the K04 could do I gave it some gas and this grinding/scraping sound.

Could be your pump sucking air B/C of too low oi level. It makes a cavitation sound. Mine sounded about the same when i was filling her at idle.

[EUROTEK//S4]

are you running stg.3 w/out fueling ? wat kinda software ?