AT transmission shifting weirdness

[Wildthings]

You could just order up an automatic section from someone in the states and have it shipped. The install is easy enough.

[blackglasspirate]

[blackglasspirate]

Ok, update and a question.

After going to one more mechanic today that said he couldn't help, I got a text from the guy that let me use his garage telling me he found a mechanic who specializes in automatics and can take a look tomorrow. Going there at 10 so wish me luck. Parts will still be a problem either way but it's a step forward.


My question is if it's possible or probable that this could be a bad torque converter? Most of what has been suggested has been stuff about the clutche packs or brake band, etc. However, a lot of stuff I read about a failing TC matches my problem. When this all started it started with a noise. A whirring noise almost like a pulley or belt failing and it seemed to be coming from the TC. Only after that did I start getting any slipping, high RPM shifting, or slipping through 2nd. That's also where my ATf leak started, and there's a bronze bushing in there that was suspect that the shavings in the filter could have come from. I also thought my last tank of gas was an anomaly, but it seems I'm getting abysmal mileage on this tank too. Looks like it dropped 25% and only once this problem started. Some of that I'm sure if from my erratic driving while testing things, but certainly not all of it.

I did the stall test and it topped out at 2700, which seems about right.

Anyway, I know it's impossible for anyone to know if that's it over the internet without looking at it, just looking for opinions since that possibility hasn't been mentioned much. Guess I need to learn how to say torque converter in Spanish. Already learned two new ones today: cuerpo valvular y gobernador.
_________________
'87 Vanagon GL Westfalia
IG: @holidayatsee
FB: https://www.facebook.com/holidayatsee

[Butcher]

If there is no fluid in the torque converter, there will be no coupling and therefore you will not go. Since you have a stall speed, it's probably not the problem. Could things have gone bad in the converter that caused other things to jamb up, sure. The valves in the valve body need to move freely and any amount of friction will cause issues.

Glad you have found someone. It should be simple for him/her to figure it out.

[TDCTDI]

I got lost around page 2 (OK, I got bored), the automatic half of these transmissions are mechanically controlled when it comes to shift points. This adjustment is made between the transmission linkage & the throttle linkage, any maladjustment or tweaking of the linkage will cause early/late shifting of the transmission. In the Golfs/Jettas, if I recall correctly, the accelerator cable goes to the transmission and then the linkage from the transmission actuates the throttle. (It may be the other way around, it's been a couple of decades, but the linkage between the two are what controls shift points.).
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[AndyBees]

The linkage that goes from the carb or throttle body to the transmission linkage is for kicking down to a lower gear when flooring the accelerator. However, depending on the speed, it may not kick-down with full throttle or will immediately shift back to the gear it kicked down from.

So, I'm thinking thee shifting is based on fluid pressure in the valve body and the gear it is in, as you can start out slow on level pavement with very little acceleration and a normal 010 and/or 090 (basically the same) will eventually shift up and go through all the gears as the speed increases.

Seems Dave offered the OP a known good valve body for shipping expense.
_________________
'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI. 1989 Tin-top
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine. Seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003.

[TDCTDI]

[AndyBees]

Yeah, and I'm leaning toward a damaged TC where it slides onto the shaft(s). That area is brass and the seal is there too. Seems the OP said right after it started acting up was when the oil leak began.

Also, I'm thinking there may be other problems too. Obviously the debris from cuttings is an issue. And, making adjustments on the 2nd gear band and governor sounded more like a shot in the dark. Where are those adjustments in relation to where they should be?
_________________
'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI. 1989 Tin-top
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine. Seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003.

[blackglasspirate]

Alright, good news and bad news, but I think things are looking up.

Took it to the mechanic today and, of course, when we go for a test drive it shifts beautifully for the entire 10-15 minutes. No problems at all. This was after it had completely warmed up though, because it was not like that when I started out in the morning. At any rate, the guy said he could remove the trans to find the problem and could also get all the spare parts from Buenos Aires. Great news! Kind of.

The bad part is he is guessing around $2,000USD just for labor. Parts are all imported here so very expensive, which means the total could even be $3,500-$4,000. And it would take 15-20 days to finish, since all parts are coming from across the country. Yikes! My contact here told me that price is crazy and parts/labor are both cheaper in Chile.

So, I did hear back from a mechanic in Osorno that I found through someone after posting on a VW group's FB page. He said he could work on it and he might even have access to a full auto transmission pulled from another Vanagon. Sweet! The plan is to try to drive to Osorno this week (250km) and have him take a look at it to get a diagnosis. On top of that, there's the possibility that I will be having some friends visit in 2 weeks from the States so they can bring some parts with them and we can have all the parts ready to drop the trans once they leave.

It will put me behind schedule by a month, if my friends come, but it's looking like it might all work out. I will just have to brave the Patagonian winter in the van!

[Butcher]

Wow, $2k for labor? That is a lot. Isn't the cost of living cheaper there than the USA?

Your friends could bring a transmission in their carry on baggage, I would not put it in the overhead. The other one can bring the torque converter.

If they ask any questions, tell the attendant it's a comfort transmission.

[blackglasspirate]

[blackglasspirate]

Well, a little update if anyone if anyone is interested (and maybe you aren't).

I went to the mechanic a few days ago. There's actually two mechanics, the one who will remove/install the trans, and another who is an automatic transmission specialist who will do the disassembling. After a test drive the trans guy said he thinks it's probably one of the discs that has been worn down. Of course there's still do way to know until disassembling it.

Total labor costs should be a smidge over $800, at least that's the price they've given me (500,000CLP). Through the help of a Chilean Samba member I've been able to find a place in Santiago that can sell me a master rebuild kit and brake band for $250 shipped to Osorno. Not too bad.

So far parts and labor look like they'll be about half of just the labor cost in Argentina. And we'll still be able to stay/sleep in the van while it's being worked on so that's a plus. Of course the problem could be another part or some other thing could cause it cost more in labor but so far it's good news. The transmission guy said if it's one of the discs he might have a spare of the right size but if it's all apart anyway I figured may as well replace all of them and the seals with a rebuild kit for good measure.

We are supposed to start the work on Monday so fingers crossed everything goes well.
_________________
'87 Vanagon GL Westfalia
IG: @holidayatsee
FB: https://www.facebook.com/holidayatsee

[THINGONER]

I've been following your posts-hope all goes well-very interesting.

[elizer]

I have been checking in as well. Hope this resolves the problem. Let us know how it goes on Monday

[Butcher]

It sounds like you are on the right track now. If all goes well, I would slip him some type of tip. Some like beer, some money, something.

Good mechanics provide a great service but rarely get any tips. Certainly not like the waiters/waitresses that give poor service. It's always a good day when a client brings in bagels, donuts, etc.

[dougass]

[blackglasspirate]

Well, we removed the transmission today and immediately spotted the first problem. The bushing on the TC is completely hosed. Mind you it was rebuilt last May.

Second was the TC seal was cockeyed. It's possible that happened when removing the TC but it's also very possible it was because of the last dumbass who worked on this trans. Either way, the rubber on the seal had a tear in it.

Third, the splines on one of the shafts are chewed up. The bushing and seal can be replaced easily. Not so sure about that shaft.

Pics:

_________________
'87 Vanagon GL Westfalia
IG: @holidayatsee
FB: https://www.facebook.com/holidayatsee

[Wildthings]

That is a fixed shaft so the damage may not be a problem. You should get an opinion from someone more knowledgeable then me though.

[blackglasspirate]

Thanks for the input. We are bringing it to a specialist tomorrow so we'll see what he says. May email some pics to GTA too to see if they have an opinion, though they haven't been very helpful so far.

Rebuild kit arrives tomorrow though it may not help much if the problem is at the TC end. We'll see!
_________________
'87 Vanagon GL Westfalia
IG: @holidayatsee
FB: https://www.facebook.com/holidayatsee

[Butcher]

Not certain how Vanagon engines and transmission are bolted up but there should be some type of dowels so both housings are centered. If you are missing them, the center lines of the crank and converter may be off slightly [and slightly is all it takes to cause that problem]. When this happens the bushing will be worn on one side.