Transmission Fluid Level unknown

[JohntheBounder]

My 2001 Eurovan has leaked transmission fluid for a while.
My preferred service provider is 250 miles from me.
Trying to determine if I can 'safely' drive there for service.
I just bought an Ancel VD700 scanner, but am not very competent at using it.

Question: if I use the scanner while I make the drive, with it give me a code so I can stop driving before the transmission gets damaged?

Transmission functions perfectly, to date.
Recently re-built.

thanks!

[67rustavenger]

Driving an EV with an unknown fluid level is a bit risky.
In this link scroll down to the trans fluid change procedure. There is information on checking the fluid level in the VW EV transmission.
http://www.rialtainfo.com/vw/transmission.htm

Edit: Welcome to the samba and the EV insanity.
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!
2003 Astrovan? GFYS again, Xevin!
Don't let your bad ideas remain, ideas!

[Endopotential]

Not sure what the error code for low transmission fluid would be, or even if there is on. You may get some solenoid code.

I don't think that Ancel scanner will give you real time transmission temp. You could only get this either through some fancier Scan Gauge / VCDS / Torque Pro scanner, else a hard wired temp sensor to your transmission.

Running your transmission with it potentially completely dry has the theoretical risk of a $8k repair that only a few shops can do these days. If you wait till the transmission overheats, it may be too late.

Safest bet would be for you to learn how to check your fluid level, per the link above. At worst, pour in a quart of high quality Pentosin fluid and keep your fingers crossed. Overfilling can cause its own set of issues; though probably lower risk than running the system completely dry.
_________________
2002 Eurovan Weekender

[JohntheBounder]

thank you for promptly replying.

[HeyCrutch]

If the fluid is really low, you'll know it ... first gear is going to slip ... A LOT. I bought a parts van that "had transmission issues." Driving it to my house was a risky proposition so I did it early on a Sunday morning when traffic was light. First gear slipped a ton, but once it got up to 2nd it managed okay for the most part.

Months later when I drained the trans pan, it had way less than 1/2 what the spec calls for. When I filled it up properly, first gear engaged perfectly ... it was just really low on fluid. Then I discovered why it was low (it has a pretty major leak ... probably from the gear position sensor).

As another poster has pointed out before when discussing the level check procedure, VW is more concerned about too much fluid than too little ... obviously to a point ...
_________________
-2003 EV MV Wk - Forest - 51k
-2002 EV Camper - Ghost - 82k
-2003 EV GLS - Fluffhead - 176k

-1997 EVC - 12vVR6 (SOLD 5/2025)