Transmission problems

[kafarrell]

Hey there Crasher,
Thank you for answering. I tried disconnecting the battery and let the car modules return to factory setting, however it still runs in 4th and reverse gears. I'm a woman so I don't have all the lingo about how cars work but I am a nurse so I am trying to equate functions hahahaha. I am not sure what is happening that I only have the two speeds, are they stuck? It does have power when it's going that for sure, it is just the starting off due to the need for new MAF. Unfortunately my friend is still away, who ordered the MAF part, due to family member dying in hospital. So I can't access the part as it is in his mail. Do you have any ideas about the gears? Thankyou in advance for your time, Kelly

[kafarrell]

Hey Crasher, I am still getting used to this site and I read what you had said about the changing of the Trans oil to see if that helped. I did that and the mechanic told me that it was a bit gunky, at the bottom and so he said flushing can sometimes do more harm than good and changed it. He said to come back at about 200 - 300 kms and change it again to hopefully make a difference. I didn't know about the MAF at the time. So I am due to do that second change. I just don't know if that will have much difference. He said that the oil wasn't burnt at all. Just dirty. Ok I know I am a girl but I ask for that to be checked whenever I get the oil changed or checked and they have said yep its okay... so now I hear that my friends can't even find the dip stick and think perhaps there isn't one only clutches so basically I have been lied to from mechanics about "its all good mam" when in fact they didn't have the stones to tell me they couldn't find the stick in the first place to check it. If I had known that I would have had it done right for Bleep sake. So.... I learn so many things out of lack of knowledge on my part and trusting someone to tell me the truth. I fear that because both the automatic shift only functions with reverse and 4th, and the tiptronic?? the ability for the gear shift to move to the right and gear down or up sort of like standard ... doesn't function at all, that I will be in deep "kimshee"(sh*t).
Any pearls of wisdom for me Crasher?
Signed "much appreciated"

[Crasher]

What you are doing is like trying to establish a patients ECG without connecting them up to a suitable monitor, in other words a complete waste of time and energy. Disconnecting the battery is likely to make matters worse as you lose the engines computers learnt values to the cars transmission and throttle body. Also, I think that changing the Air Mass Meter (MAF) may be a waste of time and if the AMM is not a genuine VAG dealer supplied unit it could even throw red herrings into the mix. What the car needs is a fault code read and the opinion of an experienced VAG mechanic, like seeing an experienced medical consultant with suitable diagnostic equipment. In your job, guessing and stabbing around in the dark will normally result in failure and cars are not dissimilar to the medical profession.

Now if I knew how to stop my Sciatica, it is giving me hell…

[Crasher]

The second replay came in when writing my last.

There is no dip stick, the level is set at a specific fluid temperature whilst watching the flow of fluid from a level tube.

[kafarrell]

Hey Crasher,
Wow.... okay so a 30 year mechanic told me to do that (the disconnect the battery thing) first. So again, I listened to a boob? I have no dealership here and just found out about an independent who works on vw's and other foreigns.

So I am out in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada. Basically, whatever.

As for the sciatica.... well I have serious learnt skills about several ways to help with that, not that most people listen to trying them. I have learned them personally, and professionally. You have to look at what your role is in the pain first, ie: your job, learned body movements, sports you played vs still play, age and agreeable to keep trying till you find it... contributing factors. I must say that your frame needs to be corrected if that is the issue ie: chiropractor, however, I find Registered Massage Therapy can allow the muscles to find their place again thereby allowing your frame to return. otherwise the frame will return to the bad position as the supports are still out of whack. Also, take a calcium/magnesium combo of at least 1250 mg(here that is two tabs) at bedtime, with separate Vitamin D 1000 mg tab also at bedtime. These together maximize absorption, relax muscles while you sleep and strengthen their ability during waking time as it resets your supports around your frame in a relaxed state/environment. So how's that for a start?? Get a massage therapist who digs in though, not a tender loving care one. Even if you didn't have the problem, it is ultimate maintainance on the body that all adults should be doing. Diet cannot replace lost minerals. Our food just isn't supported by healthy growing sites anymore. Folic acid supports new cell growth.... but... I'm just a nurse.
Thank you anyway, let me know if you have anymore pearls of wisdom.
I'm a slug in the automotive world.

[kafarrell]

Where do I find that? Can I see it? I am just trying to be prepared for when I see this independent guy, cus basically, I will be letting this car go if the independent guy can't help me. I just thought, it wouldn't hurt to know or appear to know something when I did see him/her.... somehow, I get the feeling that I will be getting a different car... that would be a shame. Great car.
I still do not think it was properly checked "the fluid" because it wouldn't have gotten to the state it did since my oil changes were regular and checks requested with each oil check at a station to ensure being on top of things, for a chick.

[kafarrell]

Okay then, so my friend who told me to unhook the battery idea said that it could still be the transmission control module and may not need to go deeper and have a rebuild.... any thoughts ???

[Crasher]

Car, lets see what the chap comes up with when he (hopefully) does a fault code scan. The level setting tube is under the box.

My back. The problem is standing all day log, often leant over in an engine bay, I have been to the osteopath this morning and it feels better. I hate sport and exercise.

From quick Google, you are right, Yukon does not have a VW dealer, Yukon looks lovely from the pictures but I bet it gets a little chilly come the winter…

[kafarrell]

Hey there,
Well I will be taking car over tomorrow, hopefully John's Auto can tell by those codes, I will keep you posted.
Where are you from? Whitehorse is so beautiful, and the summer is hot actually, most people find that surprising. Because it is dry here the winter can be cold, but dry cold so you don't feel it. No humidity so it doesn't go thru your clothes. It usually has a two week cold snap but even when 15 C below it is pretty great.
If ever you should see a beautiful place you should travel here.
I see so many dealerships here, and no volkswagen. I am disappointed about that. I would love another vw after this one, however, how do you protect your warrantee here. So I will keep this one as long as possible. After that, if no vw here then I will probably change to another vehicle, and that is too bad.
Osteopath's are amazing, and although I realize that you wear protective shoes probably, when you are not at work, try wearing skechers shape ups runners, they have really helped my posture, strengthened my feet, legs, and ultimately back strength even with the stress and strains of my career. I think every little bit helps. You sound like you are in great hands. My friend says carrying your wallet in your back pocket is one reason to trigger sciatica in men, according to a specialist he saw. Is you pain on the side you carry yours?
Kelly