2003 Audi a4 2.5tdi auto - gearbox issue?

[Craigk2809]

Hi guys, I have an 03 a4 2.5tdi auto avant andim having problems with the gearbox. First thing in the morning when I select reverse - it goes in fine. Once the car is warm I have to select reverse, then neutral then revers again otherwise there appears to be no drive. Also I notice the auto gear display on the dash flashes which I'm guessing means 'fault'. I've taken the car to a local garage and had it plugged in but no fault codes were displayed. The garage then told me I need a new gearbox. Has anyone had the same symptoms or could confirm that the gearbox has had it? The car has had this fault for about 8 weeks and I still use it daily?! Any advice would be greatfully received!

Thanks!

[mikeybutch]

Is this a Multitronic box?If so has the ATF been changed ?IF not this might help

[Craigk2809]

Hi, it's a tiptronic box not multitronic - so I've been told!!

[mikeybutch]

If its Quattro it will be tiptronic same as mine.They are said not to need ATF changes but Ihad mine done at 110k on the basis that it cant last for ever and some research which seemed to show that it is advisable.Audi dont allow for it but it does seem better.Cost about £150 at Audi.Its the multitronics which are trouble

[Craigk2809]

Mines not a Quattro so does that mean it is a multitronic? Stupid question but what's the difference?!

[adamss24]

Tiptronic are fitted to quattro's and are conventional auto boxes with planetary gears and torque convertor (very strong), multitronic AKA Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) are ***** and have a steel belt running on 2 conical input shafts. The design is very good and the box is smooth like butter, the downside they are not high torque rated and the pd 130 and mainly the v6 tdi shred them to bits. Audi introduced the multronic with the variator/clutch pack (to replace the torque converter) which had less issues and was rated at 280Nm of torque but they still failed- the diesels have a max torque of 310nm . The common fix is to get the clutch pack changed from 6 plates to 7 plates but this is a bandaid- most diesel v6 tdi had already the mod done and i know of a few that broke 3 transmissions in less than 100k ! I would not touch one with a barge pole either CVT or multicronic ! Only auto i would have is the tiptronic as fitted to quattro models, FWD i would stick to manual gearbox !!! In your case it needs the codes reading, there are companies that repair them from £1000...changing oil every 40k is mandatory and even canging sooner does not help, i had converted a pd 130 to manual after the chap had hix box repaired 3 times !
have a read trough to understand the differences...
Audi multitronic