Transmission shifting problem

Tiny
METALHEAD
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 115,000 MILES
The car is having a problem shifting from 1st to 2nd gear usually when the car is cold. Dealer quoted $4,000.00 for new trans, and a repair shop quoted $3,700.00. The car is currently at AAMCO who ran a diagnostic which came back with only the trip-tonic code which they said shouldn't be the issue. Currently they are running an electric diagnostic as they believe the problem could be something other than the transmission and possibly something electronic.

Any ideas of what could be wrong? I have searched the internet and it seems there are many people with the same problem, but doesn't provide a clear answer of what the issue is/was. Seems most people paid for a new transmission only to have the problem return or more transmission problems. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
E
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Sunday, January 31st, 2010 AT 3:14 PM

27 Replies

Tiny
MLARA09
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have the same problem..
a 2002 VW Jetta 1.8 T with tip trans.

when its cold it gets stuck on 3rd gear wont shift
till i press the gas pedal and the RPM goes to 60..
i also took it to Amoco said it was trans. but then took it to a family mechanic and said its not the trans. its electrical. I can honestly say its electrical he had it in the shop for about 3 months though.. what a pain in the butt .. well the last part he changed that made the great impact were the transmission relays..(about may of 09) worked fine till now.. its back doing the same..
he said it has to be electrical because other wise the trans. wouldn't shift at all. and obviously when its warm or so it works just fine..
well mine sometimes on some turns it messes up .. might turn again and works fine.. might just loose sensor or so I do not know.
i had also asked a UTI student that works with AUDI and said could be the transmission fluid.. but darn VW has a sealed trans so you cant do it that easily....

well let me know if yours gets

fixed


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/486954_untitled_1.jpg



(isn't she a beauty..)
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Sunday, February 21st, 2010 AT 12:50 AM
Tiny
JMIZE100
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
  • 125,000 MILES
I have the vehicle listed above GLS Wagon. Just a couple days ago, I was driving down the interstate for 50 miles at 75 MPH. Then, I took an exit and came to a complete stop. When I tried to accelerate, the transmission acted as though it was in neutral. I could manage to get it to shift rough when revved up to 4,000 RPM's. This mostly happens during daytime. If I drive it more than 100 miles, the symptom seems to get worse. When I park the car and let it sit for 30-45 minutes, it runs fine for another 50 or so miles. I have tried taking the car to a well-known mechanic but even he is unable to find the problem.
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 5:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
This is a hard one due to two a length of time it takes to occur. It may be something sticking inside the transmission. Try adding some Lucas transmission treatment and see if there works. If it doesn't help you will need to take you to a good VW transmission shop. Good luck
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 5:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,014 POSTS
Hi,

I suspect that when the vehicle is warmed up and driven that far, there may be a loss of line pressure in the transmission, That can be caused by a couple things. First, make sure the transmission fluid is clean and full. If it is and there are no diagnostic trouble codes specific to the transmission issue, I would recommend checking transmission line pressure. You will need a pressure gauge and VAG software to make checks. Here are the directions of how it is done. The attached pictures will correlate with the directions.

_______________________________________________

2003 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan (9M2) L4-2.0L (AVH)
Main Pressure, Checking
Vehicle Transmission and Drivetrain Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Testing and Inspection Component Tests and General Diagnostics 4 Speed Automatic 01M Main Pressure, Checking
MAIN PRESSURE, CHECKING
4 Speed Automatic 01M

Main pressure, checking

Conditions for performing check

- Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) memory checked
When the DTC memory is checked, the following display should appear:
"No DTC recognized!"
- ATF level OK

Special tools and equipment

pic 1

- V.A.G 1702 Pressure tester

pic 2

- Remove bolt -arrow- for main pressure port. Always replace bolt.
- Connect pressure tester V.A.G 1702 and tighten thumb screw.
- Start engine.
- Bleed pressure tester V.A.G 1702. To do this, loosen thumb screw and tighten when bleeding is complete.
If V.A.G1551 is used:

pic 3

- Remove Data Link Connector (DLC) cover -1-.
- With ignition switched off, connect V.A.G 1551 Scan Tool with diagnosis cable V.A.G 1551/3A.

Pic 4

Indicated on display
1) appears alternately
- Start engine.
- Press key 1 for "Rapid data transfer" mode.

Pic 5

Indicated on display
- Press keys O and 2 to select address word "Transmission electronics".

Pic 6

Indicated on display
- Confirm entry with key Q.

Pic 7

Indicated on display
- Press keys 0 and 8 to select function "Read measured value block".

Pic 8

Indicated on display
- Confirm entry with key Q.

Pic 9

Indicated on display
- Press keys 0, 0, and 5 to select "Display group number 005".
- Confirm entry with key Q.

Pic 10

Indicated on display
The first display zone shows the ATF temperature.
- Allow ATF temperature to rise to 60°C.

Main pressure specifications at idle

pic 11

pic 12

If there are deviations from the prescribed values, the following could be the cause:

- Switch engine off.

Pic 13

Solenoid valve connector
- Press fuse together and pull off connector.
- Start engine.

Main pressure specifications at 2000 rpm

pic 14

If possible, the main pressure test should be performed on a rolling road.

Pic 15

If there are deviations from the prescribed values:
- After test is complete, disconnect pressure tester V.A.G 1702.
- Install new bolt for main pressure port and tighten to 15 Nm.
- Fit solenoid valve connector.
- Once connector has been fitted, check and erase DTC memory.
- If necessary, install sound insulation.

_________________________________

Let us know what you find and if the pressure specs are within the manufacturer's recommendations.

Take care,
Joe
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 5:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHAEBABY0614
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
  • 160,000 MILES
My 2002 volkswagen jetta 2.0 isn't shifting gears, and when im driving 60 mph, my rpm is at 40 or 40,000 ( not sure it just says 40) when Im driving and, I added transmission fluid but its still not shifting gears, I need to know what could be wrong?
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 5:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EXOVCDS
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,883 POSTS
I'm assuming it's an automatic?

40 = 4000 (1/min x 100) rpm (revolutions per minute)

4 speed automatic? 5 or 6 speed tiptronic? (Transmission code would help as well as a scan for fault codes).

Does it shift OK when in Manual mode?

Did you check / add fluid at the correct time? Needs to be checked while in park, running and between 35c to 45c.

Have you done basic settings via scan tool? Have you tried to re-code the control module to Economy mode (if 01M Tranny)?

Just some thoughts that might help the experts answer your concerns. Provided you reply back with more info.

Thomas
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 5:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EXOVCDS
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Must have fixed itself?
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 5:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RAYRAY4791
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
  • 328,000 MILES
Hello,

Recently had the water pump changed and watched how they did it as they were placing the timing belt back on, I heard it click once counter clockwise would this cause the transmission not to shift correctly. Causing the RPM to be off. Transmission filter and Fluid have been replaced.
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 5:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
An out time engine will cause the transmission not to shift correctly to include an engine needing a tune-up
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 5:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RAYRAY4791
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
So basically I would need to turn it clockwise one click and hope it works?
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 5:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
F4I_GUY
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,302 POSTS
If your timing belt is off, you WILL have a "camshaft position sensor allocation" or "range performance" code. If your MIL is off, your timing is on.
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 5:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOMRULEZD00D
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
  • 130 MILES
My friend drives a 2002 1.8t jetta. He has some aftermarket parts on it, blow off valve, front mount inner cooler, and the exhaust was welded back on, along with the cats and has a small leak. He had his error codes cleared, and now the car jolts. Like I said, the car ran great before this. Error codes cleared, and it jolts like it's having a hard time shifting. Please help!
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 5:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
F4I_GUY
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,302 POSTS
Please post the faults so I can help you out.
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 5:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FAYEJAY9704
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
Transmission problem
2003 Volkswagen Jetta 4 cyl Automatic 67,000 miles

My car has just recently started Bucking upon driving and the car will not go switch over to any of the other speeds it's a 5 speed automatic, but wont go to the other speeds while driving it. The last time I drove it, it seemed like it wouldn't automatically change gears then after about five minutes it did a litle shift as if if had just warmed up or something and it was driving ok then.

Can you help me
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 5:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check and test the throttle poisition and vehicle speed sensors if okay get the transmission checked out could be a problem with a shifting solenoid/s
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 5:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FAYEJAY9704
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Could this problem possibly be related to an oxygen sensor. Because a few months ago I had a different repair and the dealership said I needed an oxygen sensor, but I didn't have the money at the time.
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 5:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Could be the O2 sensor not switching accordingly to provide the fuel demand during acceleration
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 5:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CFRMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
  • 94,000 MILES
It started shifting hard almost like it wanted to shut off the engine it is sudden is there a sensor going out or what could cause this I am not going to drive till I figure it out as do not want to hurt transmission.
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 5:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Any codes in the computer?A hard shift usually means there is too much pressure. We need to check for codes and also perform a transmission pressure test.
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 5:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CFRMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
00300 & 16502
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 5:33 PM (Merged)

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