I have a 1.8 2001 with turbo and auto tiptronic tranmission. A few months ago, I noticed some hesitation when backing up. Not too noticeable. Just stuttered a little but alwasy backed up. I also had a leak I thought was oil, but in retrospect may have been tranny fluid. mechanic said the rear shaft seal was leaking so I replaced it. Decided to do the tranny fluid and filter as well. Before doing so, the tranny started to slip when warmed up. I hoped it was the fluid and changed it with the correct Ravenol fluid from Blauparts plus filter. I did not measure the fluid that came out, but kind of guaged it. Seemed quite less than went back in. Put in the amount that should be more or less. Around 7 quarts or so. Can't remember but it was the correct estimated amount. Oil smelled okay. Did not see any debris or metal shavings. Pan had silt like gunk, but pretty much what you wuold expect for 170K miles. Have never changed it before because supposedly you don't have to. Wish I had.
Did not have vagcom, but from all my research, think I got it pretty accurately filled. Ran till hot to touch, letting oil spill out till hot to touch, then put plug in and turned off. Car ran okay for 15 minutes or so, but when hot, did the same as before. Details below.
Had it to a shop. They could not get car to connect. Said it was a little low, but not enough to make any difference. Had it to a tranny shop. They could not get it to connect either. But driving it they said it definitely had a problem and wanted to rebuild. Frankly, I think the tranny shop was not too interested in identifying other possible issues, just assuming it needed rebuild. But there are specific clues that have me wondering. See below.
I bought a cable on ebay before the shop had it, and I was able to partially connect, and fix an airbag code issue. But then when I tried to do the tranny, it kept saying it could not connect and then it would not connect anymore. But I am a little suspect about the software. Not sure if I somehow screwed it up so the shop could not do it either. neithe shop was audi volkswagen specialty, so maybe I should try that. Curious to opinions based on clues, but if I need to get readings for someone to really say what it might be, I could spend some more money. But I don't want to spend a lot on a care with a bad tranny.
So, here are the clues and symptoms.
Engine always runs fine. A few minor code issues I was working out. Hit another car in rear end collission about two weeks before problems. But ran find for weeks. Shuddered in reverse for a few months. Tranny started to slip, parked it with occasional test drives. Changed fluid. Seemed low. Pretty sure I got it close to right on in refill level. High quality fluid specifically for car.
Tranny works fine when cold. Once warm, about ten minutes of idling or driving in, starts to slip. Revs up but doesn't grab. However, when just starting out, if reved slowly, will grab and start moving as long as it is low revs. But once it heats up more, often won't do that at all.
BUT, even when very hot, when put in manual shift sport mode in 1st gear, or when in automatic and shifted down to 2 (there is no 1, that is the lowest) it will always grab and go. Same with reverse. Did repeated stall tests. meaning put on brakes and tried to accelerate raising the revs till it won't go anymore or stalls out. Goes up to about 3k. I could not get it to slip at all no matter how many times I tried. I can drive it in 1st tiptronic gear, and it will go faster till the revs are high enough I don't want to go any faster. Seems fine. In 2 (lowest automatic gear) it will go till the revs get high, then I think it automatically slips into higher gear and starts slipping.
So, the reason I don't want to just say, "oh, the tranny is shot" is becuase it seems to work fine in those low gears and not in the higher. So I am wondering if perhaps it is a computer or electrical issue maybe.
If everyon thinks it is definitely internal mechanical and needs rebuilding, I will probably just junk it. But if anyone thinks for good reason it could be a tcm or computer or perhaps solenoid valuve issue, I might at leat try to get codes or try to replace something. I am not afraid to get into the tranny as far as removing the cover and changing solenoids maybe. If it involves removing, and tearing apart the transmission, I will probably junk it or maybe replace it with a used one.
So, any thoughts? It is a good running car, and has served me well. I just put a bit of money into the seats, some paint, etc. But no car lasts forever.
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