VW Passat V6 Wagon - problems

[ron_200]

Hello,

I'm new here, all the way from Australia. I have a 2002 VW Passat V6 Wagon that has broken-down three times in the last 5,000 kilometres (normal service interval is 15,000 kilometres). Overall the car has done 133,000 kilometres (that's less than 100, 000 miles I think) and the faults have been bizarre and kept the vehicle off the road for nearly a week each time. So i'm starting to think its a lemon. My concern is that more things may go wrong and I'm wondering what faults other people have had with this model as they approach and exceed this mileage? In particular I'm worried about the transmission. When it is in drive it is sometimes very reluctant to change up gears, particularly from 2nd to 3rd. It will change fine if I switch it to tiptronic mode. Also, every now and then the gear lever is really hard to move, especially out of park. Has anyone experienced this and was it a pre-cursor to a serious / expensive problem?

[richard@thebrae]

My experiance with a V6 TDI Tiptronic is good with a 106k of miles with no engine or transmisssion probs.
First thing I would do is get a VAG com check or even on a dealers machine.
From there you at least have a starting point.(could be much much cheaper in the long run)
It sounds like either relay or micro switch problems or the positioning of them has shifted or come loose. (there is a cicuit board behind the shiny chrome plate).
Being difficult to come out of park may be just a sticky interlock. You can hear it and feel it by putting your hand on the lever and pumping the brake.
If you have put a slight load on the lever before footing the brake you may be jamming the interlock from releasing, it if that make sense to you. Try removing your hand from the lever and pumping the brake before trying to move the lever. I have noticed this very occasionaly, and that was the solution for me.
I t does not sound like the transmission management unit as you say the tiptronic function is fine, but get it checked fast.
Hope this helps Regards Richard

[ron_200]

Thanks for the speedy reply - I will get the dealer to check it out with their machines like you suggested and will try your suggestions in regard to it sticking in park once the thing is on the road again (a cable from the battery to the starter motor has corroded, so the car won't start at present).

[richard@thebrae]

Glad to help, and when you go to a VW dealer ask for, and insist on, a hard copy print out.
Regards Richard