automatic gearbox

[armagan]

Hi all,

I recently bought a 1999 T reg Passat 1.8S, In the last week or so I have noticed going from second to third or third to fourth gear it takes a while to engage gears, sometimes as long as 3 or 4 seconds, has anyone come across this before?

any advice would be welcome

Cheers,

[GTW]

Is it under warranty? If so, take it back. This is not normal autobox behaviour.

I have a '99 TDI auto and mine takes 3 to 4 seconds to engage drive from neutral when cold, but while driving, there's no delay in changes.

What happens while it's 'in between' changes - do your revs go up?

Whatever it is, in 26 years of driving autos, the one thing I have learned is that a stitch in time can certainly save a whole load of dosh. It could be simple, but the knock on damage of delaying getting it checked out could be terminal.

Don't want to sound like a doom and gloom merchant, but I had an Ascona a long time ago (mid '80s) and ignored what I considered a minor fault. Turned out that the duff bit cost £36 and half hour to fit. One dodgy second hand box, then a re-furbed one (my old one) and £700 later I was back on the road.

Gaz

[armagan]

during the change the engine will rev, like its waiting for the gear change to kick in. It tends to happen mostly after the first 10 mins of driving.

I've had it a couple of months now, so I guess it no longer under warranty, but I have a Service due next month so I guess I can ask the dealer his view.

I had an AA check done on it before I bought it, so it was ok at the time.

[Col]

The most likely cause is a low fluid level.

I've not a clue on the box fitted to the Passat but imagine it is one of those filled for life jobbies that are a dealer fill only job.

Except with a bit of kit, i.e. a simple fluid pump, it should be manually fillable. If it were mine I'd research on how to drain it down and completely re-fill it with new fluid.

[GTW]

I agree with Col - it takes a short while to fill the torque converter, which reduces the fluid in the box. Does it have a dipstick? - remember autobox fluid levels need to be checked warm and usually with the engine running.

I'd still check the warranty and deal with it sooner than a service schedule.

Gaz

[brogandb7]

Hi Armagan,

If you are going to drain/fill the autobox fluid be very careful - you have to get it spot on level. If you over fill the box it will damage it. I would recommend taking it to a garage to get it done. Some of the VW autos have to specially drained using equipment by accessing it from underneath the car and then plugging to a diagnostic machine to get the correct level.

Personally I wouldn't take the risk and would let a garage sort it out. Then if they **** it up its up to them to put it right.

[armagan]

I just took the car to someone to have a look at it, this guy reckoned the gearbox oil filter also will need replacing plus a plastic cap that goes on the sump.

for this he wants to charge £150 (including parts and labour).

does this sound plausible?

ps I noticed he used vagcom to try to attain the error codes I assume. anyone know where can I get the cable for this software?

[kharva007]

try ebay for the cable! my macanic charged me £35 for changing the filter and the gearbox oil. 1 hour labour so hes asking for too much mate

[armagan]

just managed to get the gearbox oil and filter changed (they charged £125) but it still seems to be doing the same thing!

from cold the car seems is lazy about changing gears. what do you guys suggest?

I should add there were no errors on vag com when they did it.

[Jum1]

Hey Armagan,

I had the same prob on a 99 tdi.
Gearbox oil and sensor were changed but still had the same prob.
I've had the gearbox changed from a 99 passat. seems ok now but still sorta feel wierd about it.

Whatever you do, research the fault before you take action. It'll cost you even more if you don't exactly know whats wrong with it.

G luck!