Auto Box oil change

[westfield1962]

Having a problem with the automatic box on my 04 Passat 1.9 130, when it changes into 2nd it holds it for a long time then changes, but sometimes it locks out the box and all the drive lights go red. I checked and got two generic codes P0732 Gear 2 Incorrect Ratio and P0741 Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid Circut Performance or Stuck Off can anybody help? I was going to change the oil and see if this makes any difference, but when I found out the oil is €16.89 per liter plus vat from VW and it takes 9lt I was thinking was there any other make of gearbox oil I could use? Thanks in Advance

Gary

[djah]

Hi there.
I am experiencing a similar problem as what you are describing.
When changing from second to third it takes a lot longer than the changes in all other gears, it actually seems to do two gear changes between 2nd and 3rd if that makes any sense.
However mine has not got so bad as to go into limp mode and throw a code as yours seems to do.
I changed the gearbox oil and used carlube ATF-U which I got in an auto store in Ireland, I think it was about €55 for 4.5 litres.
I also went to the trouble of removing and cleaning the valve body but to no avail.
So if you think you have the same problem as me don't waste your time changing the oil, it will make no difference.

It's interesting that you mention the torque converter clutch circuit, as a guy in another forum that I posted on suggested that this may be the problem.
This is controlled by a solenoid in the valve body which may be faulty and suggested that I swap two solenoids which are the same type to see if this rectifies this problem but "moves" the problem to a different part of the gearbox.
I haven't had the time yet to try this to see if it is the problem.
Hope this helps.
Dave.

[westfield1962]

Hi there.
I am experiencing a similar problem as what you are describing.
When changing from second to third it takes a lot longer than the changes in all other gears, it actually seems to do two gear changes between 2nd and 3rd if that makes any sense.
However mine has not got so bad as to go into limp mode and throw a code as yours seems to do.
I changed the gearbox oil and used carlube ATF-U which I got in an auto store in Ireland, I think it was about €55 for 4.5 litres.
I also went to the trouble of removing and cleaning the valve body but to no avail.
So if you think you have the same problem as me don't waste your time changing the oil, it will make no difference.

It's interesting that you mention the torque converter clutch circuit, as a guy in another forum that I posted on suggested that this may be the problem.
This is controlled by a solenoid in the valve body which may be faulty and suggested that I swap two solenoids which are the same type to see if this rectifies this problem but "moves" the problem to a different part of the gearbox.
I haven't had the time yet to try this to see if it is the problem.
Hope this helps.

Dave.

Well here is an up date, I went to a friend who has the equivalent of VAC Com and he read the codes which were 16955 Brake Light Sw. 18090 Power Trans 17114 Gear Ratio Control 17116 2nd Gear Ratio 17125 Torque Converter Clutch Circuit 17117 3rd Gear Ratio, cleared the codes and went and got the Brake Sw and fitted it, I bit the bullet and bought the VW ATF G 052 162 A2 oil, on way home the Engine Man light came back on, read the codes again and 17116 and 17117 were the only faults showing. I went on my rounds to find somebody to put it in as I did not need the hassle of doing it on stands, the first guy a Independent Auto Gearbox specialist could not do it as he was very busy, but said noting in passing about the box in general. Now this is where it gets interesting, went to another Auto Box Specialist and he said he would not even look at it, saying it was scrap and not worth fixing! I tried to tease more information from him, " it was a waste of time changing the oil the clutch rings are alloy and they crack" that they had done about 10 of these boxes and every one of them came back. The thing is that he was not trying to sell me anything but was telling me to keep my money in my pocket. I'm going to drop the sump on the box check the oil and check is there any metal in there and change the oil and see how that goes or is this just a waste of time? Or where do I go from here?