VW Sharan VR6 (99) Auto gearbox problem

[bluemozzer]

My auto gearbox (4 spd) has recently developed a fault. When i am driving along it doesn't appear to go into 3rd. it feels like it drops back down to 1st and the revvs shoot up. I have to then select 2nd manually and stay in 2nd.
I have taken it to a local garage who carried out a diagnostic on the gearbox and found fault code 00652 - (Gear Monitoring not a plausible signal) they then wanted to change the gearbox. I then took it to VW to get a full diagnostic done. Unfortunately i came away from there not much wiser. I was hoping that they would pin point the fault but only told me that i had an electrical fault in the gearbox. i am presuming that this means a solenoid or ribbon cable in the gearbox. VW then suggested i take it to a gearbox specialist. Here lies my nesxt problem. I can only find one specialist in the Telford area and he is going on Holiday next week.
If anyone can help me on the follwowing i woud be grateful.

1. has anyone come across a similar fault before?
2. Can an internal electrical fault be fixed cheaper than replacing the gearbox(recon)?
3. Can anyone recommend a auto gearbox specialist around the Telford area?
4. Would i need to take the car to them or just the gearbox?

Obviously if i can just take the gearbox I can broaden my options of places to go.
If anyone can give me any advice on any of the issues i would be very grateful.

[hotspace]

Yes, I have very similar fault! Mine is VR6 syncho and I have posted prob on here. Ive been looking for a new box, but not sure if its differant to 2 wheel drive one! When I get time, Im taking it to an auto specialist near me. If I have any luck, I will let you know

[bluemozzer]

Thanks for the reply Hotspace.. Just read your other post and it would appear that your symptoms are a little different to mine. I cant get into 3rd or 4th at all. Instead of changing up to 3rd mine appears to go back into 1st. I then have to manually select 2nd and carry on driving in 2nd only. Have been told that i have an electrical problem in my gearbox. Since last post i have found a Auto box specialist in Penn near Wolverhampton who is going to have a look.

[andeone]

i have a sharan 2.0 ltr with a auto box when the engine is cold i sometimes get a bloody great thump in the drive chain somewhere, when i try to accelerate away.its as if you have to rev up more to move away and suddenly the gears are thrown in.VW tells me they can find no fault and a new gearbox will cost £2000.when the engine is warm there is no problem. it seems to me this auto gearbox buisness is a licence to print money, surely there must be someone in this vw club of ours that has some sort of info on these, as it seems very unreliable, pieces of german junk.

[bluemozzer]

just a quick follow up on my original post.
It would appear that my local VW garage has fobbed me off a little. Having done a bit of research it seem that my auto box could have had some deeper diagnosis done. VW basically told me that i had am electrical fault with my gearbox but couldn't specify any more than that because i had an older gearbox. i have since found out that they could have carried out some electrical checks via the J217 (auto gearbox control unit) connector using test box VAG 1598/18. this would then have diagnosed my problem more accurately.
I am going to complain to VW tomorrow and see what they say. If anyone however knows this not to be completely true please feel free to correct me.

[andeone]

any news yet bluemozzer on your gearbox problem

[lcoombes]

i have a sharan 2.0 ltr with a auto box when the engine is cold i sometimes get a bloody great thump in the drive chain somewhere, when i try to accelerate away.its as if you have to rev up more to move away and suddenly the gears are thrown in.VW tells me they can find no fault and a new gearbox will cost £2000.when the engine is warm there is no problem. it seems to me this auto gearbox buisness is a licence to print money, surely there must be someone in this vw club of ours that has some sort of info on these, as it seems very unreliable, pieces of german junk.

Andeone - I have the exactly the same problem on my Sharan 2.0l auto - have lived with it for 10,000 miles now, as I reckon it'll be too expensive to fix and it's fine once warmed up. But let me know if you find out a cheap fix - would certainly make my passengers happier!

[andeone]

icoombes, yes i,ll let you know as soon as i break into the secret society of auto gearbox wizards. ta for letting me know i,m not the only one with this problem. andeone.

[hkdragon]

Andeone - I have the exactly the same problem on my Sharan 2.0l auto - have lived with it for 10,000 miles now, as I reckon it'll be too expensive to fix and it's fine once warmed up. But let me know if you find out a cheap fix - would certainly make my passengers happier!

Hi
I also have a Sharan 2.0 Auto with the same problem but I change the gearbox oil (use VW ATF oil) 2 times in last 3 weeks and now is 90% better than before.

[TaistoR]

just a quick follow up on my original post.
It would appear that my local VW garage has fobbed me off a little. Having done a bit of research it seem that my auto box could have had some deeper diagnosis done. VW basically told me that i had am electrical fault with my gearbox but couldn't specify any more than that because i had an older gearbox. i have since found out that they could have carried out some electrical checks via the J217 (auto gearbox control unit) connector using test box VAG 1598/18. this would then have diagnosed my problem more accurately.
I am going to complain to VW tomorrow and see what they say. If anyone however knows this not to be completely true please feel free to correct me.

Hi bluemozzer!

I have the similar symptoms in my Sharan VR6 Syncro 2.8, 1999.

Did You get it fixed? How?

Kind regards,

TaistoR