Mk4 '99 8v 1.4 polo auto gearbox fault

[ed_crouch]

Hi.

When the above car is cold (or when hot and going round tight slow right hand bends!), the gearbox "gets a face on".

When cold, it'll go into 1st fine, but when you accelerate away, it holds 1st for too long, and I have to lift off to prevent the revs soaring (with all that POWER...;-)). When it does eventually get around to changing up about a second or two later, it gives me a right kick in the back.

When its hot, if, say, I tuen right at a small roundabout, when I accelerate as I leave the roundabout, theres no drive for about half a second, then it goes into gear in a damn hurry, with another kick in the back.

This cant be good for the gearbox, TC, or the final drive.

Is this a common problem with what is otherwise a great little car?

Thanks,

Ed.

[mr rugby]

same here, same year,same gear.
9 times out of 10.... 1st to 2nd gear acts smoothly, then for no apparent reason it will hold it's gear then snatch into 2nd with a bump.
It's hard to replicate but sounds like the same problem as you.

There was a known problem with this model and it's sister car the seat.
A solenoid in the gearbox can be renewed and will sometimes cure the problem. It did not work on mine but may on yours.
I have taken my car for a number of test drives with auto gearbox specialists but the damn thing never mis-behaves........typical.

I am waiting for mine to become more regular so it can be traced.
Why not take yours to an auto specialist for a diagnosis.
Not sure where you are from but a firm in cardiff called heath autos may help.
If you find the fault please post it on here and i'll do the same.

mr rugby