VW Vortex - Volkswagen Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

No Reverse Gear in Automatic Transmission -- Intermittent Problem

Jump to Latest
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
N

newgene

· Registered
Joined
·
41 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
It was suggested that I post this under this topic. I have an 01 Jetta, and at some point during a long drive the other day, my transmission seemed to stop going into reverse.
I then played with the car, and I made some progress. I now have an intermittent problem. I can shift the car back and forth from 1-2-D to R, and after a few attempts, it will drop into gear. It is really weird. To me this is really good news. I think I have ruled out a mechanical gear failure.
I also hooked up the Vag-Com, and I went into the controller for the transmission (02), and it showed the correct gear every time. I have no clue what is going on, but at least the computer appears to be correct to me.
My next step has got to be to check and/or change the transmission fluid. I'm wondering if the hydraulics are having a hard time building enough pressure, maybe, to engage reverse. Maybe there is something that requires a higher pressure to engage reverse. Maybe it's a transmission hydraulic pump failure (not sure if the car has one). I'm not sure. It may wind up going to a volkswagen dealer after all, but it seems like my problem may have gotten a little cheaper. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
I origanally posted in this thread, but this forum is probably the better place for it.
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zer...37698
Thanks!
 
#2 ·
Look for drivbiwire's guide on changing the fluid and filter on the 01M transmission. While you're in there look up Kerma's line pressure mod - you'll use a ground down torx key like an allen wrench to turn a valve to increase the hydraulic pressure. With any luck a fluid and filter change and a little "mod" should allow the clutches to begin working again and extend the life of the transmission.
The fluid is hardly lifetime fluid, and the cooler design sucks balls so the things operate at stupidly high temps (190-300F).
 
#4 ·
I think its one of the solenoids in the valve body really. Too bad you can't replace them individually AFAIK.
When the solenoids start to fail (say, low fluid pressure due to blockage) the clutches may not fully engage and it'll accelerate their wear until it just stops working at all, so hurry up and fix it.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
Re: (Fortuna Wolf)

Quote, originally posted by Fortuna Wolf »
I think its one of the solenoids in the valve body really. Too bad you can't replace them individually AFAIK.
When the solenoids start to fail (say, low fluid pressure due to blockage) the clutches may not fully engage and it'll accelerate their wear until it just stops working at all, so hurry up and fix it.

If I fix it now, are you saying it will be cheaper? I'm guessing that the only practical fix for it would be to swap the whole transmission out. I'm about to do the line pressure mod and change fluids, so I'm hoping to extend the life.
Am I missing an easier fix for this? BTW, I'm not driving it until I change the fluids and mod the pressure.
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
Re: (newgene)

Anyone have a rough idea of the difficulty of changing the tranmission in these cars? I have the Bentley manual, and I've the timing belt, but I really am not sure how difficult it can be.
Again, does this seem like a job someone should tackle by themselves if they have never done one before? I'm having a hard time finding a local shop willing to do it, other than the VW dealership. Any thoughts?
 
#7 ·
I'm really observant - when you asked how to swap the transmission out I went to go look at what engine you had and noticed you had a TDI too.
I'm saying that you should change the fluid and try to get the clutch working all the time - if the clutch isn't getting enough pressure to grab, but enough to rub then you'll wear it out and what's intermittent now will totally fail very soon. Plus, all those clutch particles being rubbed off will also get into the fluid and can clog the strainer.
I have an 02 TDI, same transmission. 93k miles, fluid has been changed twice with Redline D4 ATF (preventative maintenance), KERMA's pressure mod. Always goes into gear, and when I've changed the fluid both times the pan was very clean and the fluid was not burned up. Also changed the differential oil with Redline 75w90 gear oil. Pan has a VDO Oil temp gauge sender in it, and I'm working on getting the parts together to change the transmission cooler to a radiator.
I know its used, but if the fluid change doesn't work you can have my transmission for the price of a manual transmission swap (around $1000-1200 if I shop around). I have another car I can drive for the next 6 weeks.
To change the transmission its not too hard. You'll need to support the engine with a jack or stand and then lever it to the side. Unbolt the flywheel/flexplate, and the transmission mount on the other side. Then, remove the axles at the flanges (you can tie them out of the way, but its much easier to also unbolt them at the wheel hub and remove them). Disconnect the coolant lines from the transmission cooler. remove from below. Or remove the bumper and drain the AC and remove the radiators to remove from the front. You can also pull it out of the top, but that's even more work.
Prices are around this:
New transmission: $4-5k
Rebuilt: $2-3k
Used (mine): $1-1.5k
Fluid change: $150
Go to forums.tdiclub.com and ask there if you have any more questions. I'm also on the forums there under the same name.


Modified by Fortuna Wolf at 10:17 AM 7-16-2007
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
Re: (Fortuna Wolf)

I'm on there as Newgene as well. I have a similar thread going there. If I swap it out myself, I'll definitely get in touch with you. I was quoted a rebuild of the clutches from Aamco for $1900, and they will lifetime warranty it for 30% over whatever it turns out to be. That's not a bad deal for a lifetime warranty under $2,500. My big concern is Aamco. I know this is all they do, but what are they chances they will screw it up?
 
#9 ·
Only a few people on tdiclub have had their transmissions rebuilt since most shops don't want to touch the ones we have. I haven't seen anyone report back on how it lasted.
I'll go look for your thread.
I'm confident that my transmission will last for a long time now that I've modded it... I just want a manual so I can add some power mods
Image
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Re: (Fortuna Wolf)

Does anyone sell a type of kit to do the manual swap? I saw a thread on it a while back (Rodrigues? ID, maybe), but I haven't really seen much, other than that thread, on exactly how to do it.
 
#11 ·
No kit. Alphasenoir has a thread on doing it at tdiclub. Basically, you'll need to get a new flywheel and clutch plate kit, buy a used manual transmission with any mods you want to do to it (LSD, taller 5th, etc), the transmission mounts, (I think you can reuse the starter from the auto), the whole shift linkage, and shifter box, several relays, and the clutch assembly. After you finish disassembling your interior and engine bay and install the stuff, you still need to wire it in, and then recode the ECU. Its a lot more work than just swapping out the transmission, but it is a bit cheaper.
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
Re: (Fortuna Wolf)

Quote, originally posted by Fortuna Wolf »
No kit. Alphasenoir has a thread on doing it at tdiclub. Basically, you'll need to get a new flywheel and clutch plate kit, buy a used manual transmission with any mods you want to do to it (LSD, taller 5th, etc), the transmission mounts, (I think you can reuse the starter from the auto), the whole shift linkage, and shifter box, several relays, and the clutch assembly. After you finish disassembling your interior and engine bay and install the stuff, you still need to wire it in, and then recode the ECU. Its a lot more work than just swapping out the transmission, but it is a bit cheaper.

I found the thread. It's a pretty good read. Thanks.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
Re: (newgene)

I just wanted to update this thread a little. I finally took the pan off and learned a little more about why I've been having problems. What I found was not good. Stuck to the magnet were about a half dozen or so small pieces (1/8" to 3/16" maybe) of what looks like needle bearings, and one chunk of gear tooth about 1/2" long. So, needless to say, I had something jar the transmission a bit. I'm amazed it only did the damage it did. The fluid was black, but didn't have any metal exept for the chunk. The broken metal may have been in there for a very long time (140k on trans), but it probably occured recently.
After thinking about it, I think the above is more of an effect than a cause. I think the real cause is from my reverse clutch slipping. It is still slow to engage, but it goes into reverse every time after the fluid change. I think the slipping clutch managed to slip and then grab at a higher rpm. Thus, I'm guessing it jarred the transmission hard when it did. All the forward gears still work fine, and everything is probably a slight bit improved since the line pressure increase mod.
However, I know that I will need to budget $3500 for a VW OEM unit. It's just going to be a matter of when I'm going to need it. So far it drives pretty smooth since the fluid change, but I'll be keeping an eye on it. I've heard of people driving forever after finding metal pieces in the fluid, and I've heard of them dying immediately...probably more of the latter. However, I'm going to drive it for now. The probability that I destroy the core from driving it are slim. And, at $3500 every 100k miles, any extra miles I can get out of it isn't a dumb thing to do. I'll keep this thread updated as any events occur.
 
#14 ·
Re: (newgene)

I don't have the same transmission as you do, but I had to put a new transmission in my 2000 A6 4.2 due to reverse going out. Mine did like yours, where as the reverse would work after I shifted back and forth between all the gears but it finaly went out for good. I went with a Jasper transmission. If you go to their website and watch the video of what all they do to a transmission it was pretty impressive. Jasper also give a 3 year / 75,000 mile warranty with their transmission.
 
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
About this Discussion
14 Replies
3 Participants
Last post:
newgene
VW Vortex - Volkswagen Forum
posts
85M
members
1.5M
Since
2001
A forum community dedicated to all Volkswagen owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, builds, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, new releases, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
The Car Lounge Golf IV & Jetta IV Golf III & Jetta III Golf II & Jetta II Golf IV/Jetta IV Parts