Transmission Troubles...

[Mookacb]

I have a 1997 Eurovan EVC with about 168,000 miles. About 2000 miles ago I changed the transmission fluid with Redline ATF. Everything was working great (an occasional hard shift, but nothing too bad).

Last week, I drove to work and parked. When I left for lunch, it was shaking at the stop sign, I kicked it into neutral and the shaking stopped.

As I drove, it reved up between gears when it shifted. I turned around to get her home.

When I got home, I tried to reverse into the driveway and it took a long time for reverse to engage.

So far, no codes or anything.

Is it time for a rebuilt transmission? Should I change the fluid again to check the filter for debris? What is the next step?

Thanks!

[markcm2]

I would start by making sure the fluid level is correctly set.

[subdewd]

As stated fluid level first. You might want to try using the VW spec trans fluid since problems started after the change

[Mookacb]

Thanks,

I've ordered a fresh filter/gasket and a dip stick. My plan is to do a fluid and filter change this weekend, break apart the filter for inspection and see how it goes.

Will report back after I get it done.

[markcm2]

[Mookacb]

Here is the update:

We dropped the transmission pan today. The fluid was almost black. Lots of metal specs (sand like) in the pan and on the magnet. There was about 1/2-3/4 quart less than the last fluid change I did.

No large broken parts.

There is a leak somewhere around the torque converter.

I put the pan back on and am thinking about next steps

The van has 168k miles and a new motor was put in 24,000 miles ago. I’m leaning toward calling German transaxle on Monday and getting a new transmission. Even if the transmission could run longer, we would rather fix it now instead of getting stuck in the mountains somewhere.

[copper_90680]

You need to cut pen the old filter. Most large pieces, if present, would be in there

[Mookacb]

No big chunks. Just the sand like metal.

[Abscate]

Did you drop pan last time or just change fluid? If you got more than a trace of sand in under 2000 miles it's toast

A coating of sand on first transmission change is normal though.

Mark pointed out that you can judge the color if you only changed 2/3 of the fluid. It's possible todo a complete chamgeifyouare willing to unhook lines and rig a flush and fill system but it's easier for most just to do three successive drain/ fill cycles, giving you about 85% new fluid.
_________________
.ssS!

[Mookacb]

I dropped the pan both times. Honestly, the original atf looks and smells better. It also had very little debris.

The 2500 mile old atf smells burnt, looks darker, and had more debris than the first change.

I’m pretty sure that it’s time for an “upgrade”...

[Mookacb]

After talking to German Transaxle the outcome is still unclear...

There are no 01P 927 733 AC Transmission Control Modules on the market. I can't get a warranty from them without a new module. Also, they do not have any extra pinion gears or other hard parts for my 1997 CWG transmission, so they would be rebuilding mine and if any hard parts were damaged, they would not be able to complete the repair.

Now what? They have a way to do a manual conversion, but will not do the work. Can I do this at home? Do I have a local transmission shop rebuild and hope for the best? I could get a rebuilt or re-manufactured TCU, but GTA will not accept that.

Any recommendations on a shop in the Portland area to talk to?

[Gruppe B]

[markcm2]

If you can travel some, ABC transmission in Tacoma, WA did us right. We pulled the transmission (In Bellingham, WA) and hauled it to them. No one in our area wanted to work on it at all. Its about the same distance for you (a little over 2hr drive).

Their prices were reasonable, turn time was quick, warrantee is good. As I recall they offered us a 50k 6yr warranty and they said they would pull it from the van if warranty was necessary. After we installed it, they asked we bring the van back for them to check it out which I think they required for the warranty.

Keeping in mind this feedback is only based on 6,000 miles of use but so-far so-good.

https://www.abctransmissionservice.com/

[ncernitz]

River City Transmissions in PDX rebuilt mine 25k ago, and it's functioning perfectly.

[Abscate]

[Mookacb]

Thanks. They let me place an order but then cancelled this morning because it isn’t available.

[copper_90680]

Mookabc,

There is this outfit in New Jersey called Import Performance Transmission. These guys ae just as good as German Transaxle but without the attitude. You can ship your transmission to them and they will rebuild it. I don't understand the situation with your TCM. It is not burned or gone bad, has it? Why would they make you buy a brand new one in order to get the warranty? That plus the exorbitant core charge and what they would charge for broken components in the core made me think these guys are much too arrogant for their own good. I won't do business with them.

[Abscate]

[Stripped66]

[gtainc]

Stripped66 has it figured out. GTA can physically build the 97 O1P transaxles, dyno them and ship them with no problems. The customer installs his fresh transaxle and the failed TCM takes out the new transaxle and now I'm supposed to warranty it. Don't think so. It is an unfortunate circumstance that VW no longer provides TCM's for these models. I would rather explain this to a customer and tell them why we don't build these than to have an unhappy customer who just spent good money on a transaxle that was ruined by his pre-existing part, at no fault of GTA's build.