Flooded footwell & auto gearbox issues

[cfarren]

Can someone help us?

2 weeks ago I got in my 2000 V6 TDI Passat (Auto Tip) to find the driver footwell flooded (2/3 inches deep). My husband followed on-line instructions and cleared the blocked drains which had caused the problem.

However when we went to go out in the car it really struggled and eventually gave up. It initially wouldn't go into gear and when it eventually did wouldn't change out of 1st.

The insurance engineer and VW dealership are saying that the 2 events are sheer coincidence and not remotely linked. Personally I find this very hard to believe. The car had been driving brilliantly right up until that day and the gearbox was super smooth.

I am considering contacting CarCheckers for a second opinion. I would appreciate if anyone knows whether or not the flooding event could have impacted the Auto gearbox. I realise that the water will not have penetrated the gearbox directly but I am thinking more of the electronics controling it.

Any comments or advice appreciated.

[onzarob]

Part of the car electronics is in the passenger foot well, The convenience mode for sure, I not sure it the gearbox ecu is there as well.

I would say that they are linked

[Sam]

Part of the car electronics is in the passenger foot well, The convenience mode for sure, I not sure it the gearbox ecu is there as well.

I would say that they are linked

Sadly, the gearbox ecu is there (or in the vicinity) too

[jojocags]

I would really appreciate some help with this flooding issue. I noticed a couple inches of water on the rear passenger floor of my 2000 Golf the other night after two days of heavy rain. My car was parked at an agle which has also caused the drivers floor to get wet. I have sifted through masses of posts about this problem and I keep seeing advice about draining tubes/holes etc but I am really at a loss where to start looking for them! I would really appreciate some "instructions for dummies" to help me try to sort out this problem myself as I am afraid if I bring the car to a garage being as clueless about this problem as I am I might get stung for more than the job is worth.

I've spent the past two nights destryoing towles trying to soak up the water - please help!!

[Baron_Samedi]

You are totally in the right place!

Check the other threads in here for clues as to the problem with your car, but.... I think your post is better placed in the Golf section as I think the problems people suffer with Passat cars do not have the same cause(s).

[Biobob]

Hi cfarren,
There seems to be lots of posts about the flooding issue on these forums, but yours is the only one I can find that connects it with an auto gearbox problem.

I own a 1999 Passat TDi auto (not tiptronic) in the UK and now have exactly the same problem following the dreaded 'blocked drain under battery' incident. The driver's side floor was about an inch deep in water, the rev counter worked intermittently, the oil pressure warning light came on, the gear indicator LCD was blank, the reversing lights came on in every position except 1st and Park, and the auto box would only select 1st or reverse.

I've looked at the CCM (convenience control module) under the passenger carpet, and the inside of the box seems dry although there was some dampness in the passenger footwell. Does anyone know if this module controls the auto transmission? or is it controlled by the ECU under the bonnet?

What was the outcome in your case?

Any help would be much appreciated.
Bob

[stevegrass777]

auto box ecu is in the drivers footwell.

[Biobob]

Thanks Steve,

I should have looked there before, but who would have thought that a car manufacturer like VW would put the most sensitive electronic circuits in the most vulnerable place possible - the bottom of a well!

I found it last night, opened the outer box, and hey presto, a swimming pool of corroded sludge. The inner box gave no better protection and contained about half a pint of green stuff. Needless to say the circuit board is a write off and so probably is the car now! I've read that the board costs £980, and then it has to be programmed by VW.

The strange thing is that with the TCM (transmission control module) removed there are no warning lights on the dash, the tacho works, the reversing lights now only come on in N and R and all the gears seem to work although I haven't driven it off the drive yet. I didn't expect it to work at all.

Who would have thought that a few leaves under the bonnet could write a car off. VW Audi owners take note! Keep your drain holes clear!!!

Bob

Latest news: just got a quote from VW £535 fitted and coded - maybe not written off yet!

[blobby]

hi guys first post great forum let me say
i have a 2001 passat 130 tdi tiptronic
i never drive it its the wifes car
i noticed the water about three month ago in the drivers rear footwell about inch deep in water !!!
so i cleared the drain plugs and hovered up the water seemed fine
then the dash started playing silly buggers about 3 weeks ago
traction light comes on the auto box selection PRND dissapers completely or goes in a red box then the gearbox has a funny one and wont change gear
if i turn it off most of the time and start it its fine again for a while !!!
any ideas guys?
i read the post about the convenience control module and the auto control module but not much info on these two pieces of kit
i have today checked the module under the drivers side carpet in the front drivers foot well its bone dry insede the box whaty isa ithis module ??


is there one on the passenger side ??

thx chaps !

[snapdragon]

Blobby, you need to get the fault codes read, the transmission control module and TC both failing together suggests a speed sensor problem. Maybe even codes set for supply voltage to low or something if there is an alternator issue. No point guessing. I don't think it will be a wet CCM in this case.