TDi Auto transmission trouble - sorry for non-Benz question...

[Blevinsax]

Let me first apologize for the non-Mercedes question on this site, but everyone here has been so helpful in the past I feel like this is possibly the best place to ask...

Yesterday while my wife and I were out in our 2001 Beetle TDi (she was driving) suddenly the transmission failed to shift out of 3rd into 4th gear. She kept on the gas, but it wouldn't upshift and was revving close to 4K rpm. We pulled into a parking lot, stopped the car, restarted it, and it seemed to drive more normally, however the problem came back shortly. I drove the rest of the way home and although the shift felt relatively normal, it seemed to jump through 3rd and 4th into 5th very quickly one time. It also failed to upshift again, so we stopped, restarted, and made it the rest of the way home alright - only a mile or two.

It was a very hot day and we had been driving in a lot of stop & go traffic - with the A/C of course. The car never said it overheated, but the digital thermometer above the rear view mirror (which has always been to high - I think the sensor might be located near some of the Greasecar elements, therefore picking up a higher reading) was reading 136F at one point. That is the highest I have ever seen it. Since it has warmed up and we have been using the A/C more, we have also noticed that the fan has continued to run for a little while - usually not more than a minute - after shutting down the car. Is that abnormal/unusual?

Can any of you Benz owners or mechanics who have worked on VW's help me figure out what the problem might be?

[BioPOWER]

Odd symptoms...I've heard that VW auto transmissions do fail quite often around 100k and need to be replaced, hopefully this is not the case with yours. I'm guessing yours isn't a DSG since they were introduced in 2003.

As for the fans, it is completely normal for them to keep running after shutting down the engine, especially after using the A/C. I've even had mine on my Jetta start up a minute AFTER shutting down the engine..

[E300D-JD]

I have a friend with a gas 1999 Jetta 2.0, and that transmission failed at 45K miles. She is easy on cars too. I think it is a common issue.

[running-snail]

check out forums.tdiclub.com

plenty of info over there

I have a 5 speed jetta

[AdvisorGuy]

Check the fluid condition and level. If they seem ok, could be a bad trans control module.

[oldnavy]

The VW TDI has a sealed tranny and is a real pain to check. Sounds like it went into limp mode.

I have been a member of Fred's TDI forum for about 6 years, you can get all the help & info there. Here is link to the NB section. Freds TDI Forum There is more help for you there then there is here for MB's even. We have regular GTG to do repairs and have fun, I have been hosting them here for 5 years.

[N41EF]

Dito to go to www.tdiclub.com the stuck in third gear is the limp home mode of late model vw auto trannys. The fact that it clears is a good thing, but it needs attention.

The temp sensor on a beetle is under the hood, on the right side of the car, underneath the black plastic cover the is under the windshield wipers. If you have heated wvo lines on the right side of the engine, that would raise the temp in the area.

It's easy to check the fluid level in these "sealed" trannys. On the tranny pan there ot a drain plug, that screws into a stand pipe, that is screwed into the pan. The level check procedure is to remove the drain plug, and leave the standpipe screwed in, start the car, and pour fluid in until the tranny is warm, then replace the plug. The fluid is suppossed to drip out of the standpipe at normal temp. I would replace the filter from your laps, and replace the fluid but it's a vw dealer thing.

[oldnavy]

You forgot to mention needing a lift or jackstands to get to the check tube on the bottom of the tranny. Any time I need to jack a car up to work on it is a PIA in my book these days, getting to old to wollow on the garage floor.

[AdvisorGuy]

Originally Posted by N41EF

Dito to go to www.tdiclub.com the stuck in third gear is the limp home mode of late model vw auto trannys. The fact that it clears is a good thing, but it needs attention.

The temp sensor on a beetle is under the hood, on the right side of the car, underneath the black plastic cover the is under the windshield wipers. If you have heated wvo lines on the right side of the engine, that would raise the temp in the area.

It's easy to check the fluid level in these "sealed" trannys. On the tranny pan there ot a drain plug, that screws into a stand pipe, that is screwed into the pan. The level check procedure is to remove the drain plug, and leave the standpipe screwed in, start the car, and pour fluid in until the tranny is warm, then replace the plug. The fluid is suppossed to drip out of the standpipe at normal temp. I would replace the filter from your laps, and replace the fluid but it's a vw dealer thing.

We used a gas can filled with the trans fluid in it up on the radiator support and a hose with a metal spout on the end in that plug to fill it but with high mileage, I'd change it and the filter. Lifetime fluids and 100,000 mile spark plugs are a pipe dream.

[Smith1]

Mexican Made what do expect this forum is is for true German Cars!!!

[BioPOWER]

Originally Posted by Smith1

Mexican Made what do expect this forum is is for true German Cars!!!

OOOoooh, don't go there...
I got called on that one a few days ago....
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/189853-2003-vw-tdi-versus-99e300-reliability.html#post1521959


I can't help but to agree, they are indeed well-engineered cars, but there is apparent cost-cutting in regards to the build quality. I don't think it's right to blame the country of origin, however, because this seems to be a problem with all (edit: VW) auto transmissions from that period.

The VWs and Benzes we're use to belong to completely different market segments...compact semi-eco cars versus upscale luxury sedans.

[Blevinsax]

Originally Posted by N41EF

Dito to go to www.tdiclub.com the stuck in third gear is the limp home mode of late model vw auto trannys. The fact that it clears is a good thing, but it needs attention.

Thanks for the positive note - that helps allay some fears, but I guess I will ultimately find out when we take it to our mechanic this week. Shoudl we try to drive it there (abotu 10 miles) or should I have it towed?

Originally Posted by N41EF

The temp sensor on a beetle is under the hood, on the right side of the car, underneath the black plastic cover the is under the windshield wipers. If you have heated wvo lines on the right side of the engine, that would raise the temp in the area.

Well, both the Greasecar solenoids are mounted right across the top of the engine compartment from left to right with hot grease running through them, so I think it is safe to assume that is the source of our 'hot as hell' thermometer readings! I know it's hot in Vegas, but 137F?!?!? I knew there had to be an explanation. Thanks for helping figure it out!

[justinperkins]

Originally Posted by Smith1

Mexican Made what do expect this forum is is for true German Cars!!!

Yeah 'cause Mercedes only builds their cars in Germany right?

[dukegrad98]

Originally Posted by justinperkins

Yeah 'cause Mercedes only builds their cars in Germany right?

The good ones, yes. (OK, OK, just fooling around. lol)

Actually, my family is very happy with our ML. But the other half-dozen all hail from the motherland.

Cheers, John

[Blevinsax]

Thanks for all the input guys...

I took it to my indy and he checked it out - just needed a transmission service; flush, new fluid, and filter. It hadn't been changed in 66k miles - the fluid was burnt and the filter was clogged, so it was due. Now it purrs along like nobody's business! Great little car! The wife LOVES it - especially since we don't have to buy fuel for it all the time!