Caravelle VR6 Auto - can it be converted to manual or replaced with Sharan auto/manual

[flying fish]

Hello

I have a '97 long wheelbase caravelle VR6, which is great in every respect except for the automatic gearbox. I had the gearbox rebuilt which cost a lot soon after buying the van, and it went back a few times and although better and perfectly driveable most of the time afterwards, it was never quite right. Now just 3 years later it has gone again, and needs another rebuild. Reluctant to go through the same again, I would prefer to change the gearbox altogether this time.

Ideally I would love to convert to manual (I wanted a manual originally but settled for auto after 18 months searching (i need the long wheelbase, which combined with VR6 and manual is virtually non-existent!) Can this only be done with a manual donor vehicle? If so this would be even harder to find than a running VR6 manual??

Is it possible to use the VR6 sharan's auto gearbox? They are so much cheaper and more available, I can buy a whole VR6 sharan in good condition with MOt and tax for less than the cost of a gearbox rebuild, just to put costs into perspective - so if that gearbox can be used it will be a lot cheaper and easier to find.

Better still, can a manual gearbox be taken from another VR6 sharan, golf, corrado etc, or can a non-VR6 transporter/caravelle manual gearbox be fitted?

Any help will really be appreciated - many thanks

[bora(ing) nick]

Have you got the gearbox code???

Welcome to the forum! Unfortunatly, i can't help, but I think i know just the man to steer you in the right direction.....

In the meantime, if you could post you engine code and gearbox code. This will help determine what (if anything) can be done.

Thanks

Nick

[Crasher]

PM sent.

[flying fish]

Thanks for asking, the engine no. is AE5006851, Reg No. is S502JLM, where would I find the gearbox code?

[Crasher]

Your vehicle has an AES engine (there is an error on your log book) and the gearbox code is DNE and is of the 01P series. By the fact the vehicle was registered 9/98 and built 04/97 I presume it is an import and left hand drive. The Sharan 099 series box is similar to the 01P used in yours but I think there would be problems adapting it and they are pretty unreliable anyway. I would recommend a VAG exchange box but these are a rather stiff £2.5K. Converting to manual could be done but it is a hell of a task and you would need to find a donor vehicle with a manual box (AFL is one suitable code) of the 02G series and these were only used on the T4 VR6.

[flying fish]

Thanks - the VW exchange box is much more money still than the gearbox rebuild, so really would like to investigate other ways around it. Any idea how much work/cost the sharan auto, and the manual conversion might involve?

The Van is a right hand drive. It was bought new from a UK main VW dealer in '98 although it had been shipped to Gibraltar, where it was destined for export to Singapore, but instead after hanging around in Gibraltar, it was shipped straight to the London main dealer where it was sold from!

It is a long wheelbase which I need so not easy to just find another. I really hope I can sort this out. All help much appreciated.

[flying fish]

Hello

Does anybody know if the DNE 01P auto gearbox, (in the Caravelle VR6) was used anywhere else at all? Looking for replacement gearbox but so few VR6 caravelles about. Alternatively would any other gearbox work in my VR6 Caravelle, perhaps another transporter engine's gearbox, or a golf etc VR6 auto gearbox?

[Crasher]

97 to 99 Transporter VR6 only, super rare and £2.5K from VW although the later EQE may be compatible.

[flying fish]

could any other gearboxes be adapted to fit?

[Crasher]

They have to be from a VR6 T4 as the software is specifically calibrated to the engines ECU and the bolt pattern to the block is specific to the VR6. There are also DNF and EQH boxes that it may be possible to adapt.

[flying fish]

Hello again

Just spoke to the auto transmission garage who reckon any caravelle gearbox should fit, ie not restricted to coming from a VR6. They regularly service and rebuild diesel caravelle's gearboxes for a local taxi fleet, but have not replaced one on a vr6 before. However having attempted to rebuild mine they can't forsee any problems in using a gearbox from a different caravelle, or transporter (but would like to know for sure first, understandably!). Does anyone know if I can buy a secondhand gearbox from a more standard petrol/tdi model and use that?

[flying fish]

Hello Crasher

Sorry, by coincidence your reply must have came in while I was typing the next post, it isn't a response to your last post. (I can't type that quick!).

When I was speaking with the mechanic I was concerned about the electronics side of it even if the mechanical parts did fit. Looks like it isn't possible from what you say. Are the parts you mention from VR6s? If so, and they are exclusive to caravelle vr6's I still have problems because anything caravelle VR6 only, is just so rare. Or are these more common?

Your help is much appreciated,

[Crasher]

According to ETKA the converter housing as it is known, is a different part number to the other boxes. Taking 1999 as an example, DML, DNA, DXS, DND, DNC, EQB, EQG and EQD (all 5 cylinder boxes) use a different housing to DNE, DNF, EQE and EQH (all VR6 boxes) boxes The bolt face of a VR6 is different to a 4 cylinder but I can’t remember if the 5 cylinder is different but I think those codes confirm it is. I can only recommend you fit a correct code box.

[toucanspeed]

Can you please post details of the repairers, my T4 '02 4 speed autobox needs repairing or swapping. Are they the same price as mentioned above (2.5k)? Engine code I think is AUF it's a 2.5tdi

[Crasher]

Do what? What do you want? A price on fitting an exchange genuine box, a back street recon, a used replacement, converting to manual?

[toucanspeed]

Sorry, I wasn't clear. In your previous post you meantioned an Autobox repairer. Can you post the details please? I'm just trying to work out the cost of replacing/repairing the auto box on my T4.

Ideally I would prefer a 5 speed manual but as you said you need a donor car - anyone want to volunteer one:-)
Ps thanks for you fast response

[Crasher]

In your previous post you meantioned an Autobox repairer. Can you post the details please?

Me?