O.K. here it goes.........

First of all, I will provide as much information as possible as to the time I spent in the car.

I bought a car at an auction, (2000 A8L) and the damage was a broken solar sunroof, and the LHF and LHB windows cracked....at least that is what I thought.....car is sold as-is where is and cannot do anything about it. I knew that and still went ahead and got the car.....

Now, today I went to pay/pick up the car and this is what happened......

The can turned on like a champ, engine was smooth and all looked good.... so I proceeded to put the car in drive and reverse to see if (Probably) my worst nightmare was a reality.......I felt the car go in to gear, but very weak, (didn't roll the car) then, I put the car in reverse and I felt the reverse as well kick in........

I went back to drive and decided to move the car and give it a spin/test drive in the auctions parking lot....

........the car revs up but will go forward, once its around 2k-3k rpm it starts to move forward, but at a very slow pace, it starts building up speed, and once It reaches a moderate speed, and I accelerate, it appears that it will respond a little bit better......when I go to a full stop same thing happens......trans slips, revs go up and then slowly cars starts to move forward and build speed.....once it gets some speed and you accelerate, the trans seems to respond a little bit better......

I went ahead and drove it on the freeways (auction and place I drove it to to store it is about 1 mile away)and on the freeway (very short distance), it appeared to drive somewhat ok, but i could still feel it "not in its optimal performance"

.........got to the storage yard, and parked the car.....once parked, and with more time, I started the car and with the car turned on I would put the car in reverse and I could definitely feel it go in to reverse, I would then shift from R to D and I could definitely feel the car go in to drive, BUT after about 3-4 seconds later, I could literally feel the trany "loose power" (kinda like if I switched from D to N). I would then put the car in R and same thing, I could clearly feel the R engage, I would then put the car from R to D and clearly feel it engage drive, after about 3-4 seconds same thing, It felt the trans loose power as if I would have shifted from D to N.....

Now, a few more observations.... I wold put the car in R, I would accelerate and the car would drive in reverse as if everything is A OK!! If I put the car from R to D, and I accelerate, the car responds like a dream but after about 2-3 seconds tops, a loud "clank" is heard, then the car looses power, the engine revs up, and when it hits 2k-3k rpm's the car would start to go forward, but slowly (slipping)........

So, a recap....reverse works , R to D works for about 2 seconds then "clank" is heard, transmission slips and once revs go up car starts to go forward (but very slowly)....

The check engine light is ON. I have not read the codes. I will try to get read tomorrow, or Wednesday, (will try to get them ASAP) and will post them ASAP. I will not use vag-com as I do not have it (will be ordering soon), but instead will use either vagdashcom, genesis, vagtacho, or some other scan tool. ( Got a few friends that are mechanics, and a couple of friends that are locksmiths and use these sw/scanner, plus I have helped them purchase their hardware).........

...any input would be greatly appreciated.....

....I have searched around several forums, and have not seen any issues like mine...usually all are about "no reverse" issues.

Also, I would notice that the PRND would light up. If I turn off the car and pu it in R all is ok, in D all is ok...after 2-3 seconds PRND would light up.

P.S. I read a thread somewhere in one of these forums, about someone that has similar transmission problems, and apparently the issue was low gasoline, dont see how this would be possible, but hey....is it???


2000
A8L
95k miles

 

This is "limp mode" when all the gears light up.

Most likely a transmission rebuild. You'll need VCDS to check/clear codes.

Search for "limp mode" in quotes on this and other forums.

 

....thanks for the reply....

Also, I forgot to add, that the car sat on the auction lot without the battery connected for over 6 months.........don't know if that has any relevance with the issue......

 

UPDATE:

.....well, I used vag-com and this is what I got.....



Tuesday,03,May,2011,18:58:02:46862

Chassis Type: 4D - Audi A8 D2
Scan: 01 03 08 11 15 16 17 18 25 35 37 45 55 56 57 65 67 75 76 77
02

VIN: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 01: Engine Labels: None
Part No: 4D0 907 560 AL
Component: 4.2L V8/5V G 0001
Coding: 06753


4 Faults Found
18032 - MIL Request Signal Active (Check TCM for errors too!)
P1624 - 35-00 - -
18010 - Power Supply Terminal 30: Voltage too Low
P1602 - 35-10 - - - Intermittent
18058 - Powertrain Data Bus: Missing Message from Instrument Cluster
P1650 - 35-10 - - - Intermittent
16502 - Engine Coolant Temp. Sensor (G62): Signal too High
P0118 - 35-10 - - - Intermittent
Readiness: 0000 1101

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 03: ABS Brakes Labels: 8D0-907-389.lbl
Part No: 4D0 907 389 E
Component: ABS/ESP allrad D26
Coding: 08397
Shop #: WSC 02313
VCID: 3162179A97734C94

1 Fault Found
01203 - Electrical Connection between ABS and Instrument Cluster
31-10 - Open or Short to Ground - Intermittent

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 08: Auto HVAC Labels: 4D0-820-043-MYX.lbl
Part No: 4D0 820 043 Q
Component: A8-Klimavollautomat D12
Coding: 00180
Shop #: WSC 02314
VCID: 2A5000F6BAA53F4C

1 Fault Found
01273 - Fresh Air Blower (V2)
17-10 - Control Difference - Intermittent

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 15: Airbags Labels: 4D0-959-655-AI8.lbl
Part No: 4D0 959 655 P
Component: Airbag Front+Kopf 2000
Coding: 00427
Shop #: WSC 02324
VCID: 3F8641A25127AAE4

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 16: Steering wheel Labels: 4B0-907-487.lbl
Part No: 4B0 907 487 D
Component: Lenkradelektronik D01
Coding: 00103
Shop #: WSC 65535
VCID: 2D5A0BEA8B4B2874

1 Fault Found
01426 - Controls in Steering Wheel (E221)
49-00 - No Communications

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 17: Instruments Labels:
Part No: 4D0 919 931 RX
Component: KOMBI+WEGFAHRS.VDO D43
Coding: 18283
Shop #: WSC 22705
VCID: 92203816B235178C

No Faults Found
or DTCs not supported by controller
or a communication error occurred

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 35: Centr. Locks Labels: 8D0-862-257.lbl
Part No: 8L0 862 257 N
Component: CV-Pump D11
Coding: 16140
Shop #: WSC 02314
VCID: 4084425E2CD9D51C

9 Faults Found
01367 - Central Locking Pump Run Time Exceeded (Likely Leak)
35-00 - -
01371 - Alarm triggered by Door Contact Switch; Driver's Side
35-00 - -
01372 - Alarm triggered by Door Contact Switch; Rear Passenger Side
35-00 - -
01374 - Alarm triggered by Terminal 15
35-00 - -
01370 - Alarm triggered by Interior Monitoring
35-00 - -
01369 - Alarm triggered by Hood Switch
35-00 - -
01368 - Alarm triggered by Luggage Compartment Switch
35-00 - -
00955 - Key 1
09-00 - Adaptation Limit Surpassed
00956 - Key 2
09-00 - Adaptation Limit Surpassed

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 37: Navigation Labels: Redir Fail!
Part No: 4B0 919 887 B
Component: Navigation BNO 0001
VCID: 326018969275778C

1 Fault Found
65535 - Internal Control Module Memory Error
00-00 - -

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 45: Inter. Monitor Labels: None
Part No: 4D0 951 177 B
Component: Innenraumueberw. D05
Coding: 00001
Shop #: WSC 00000
VCID: 2854FAFEA4A90D5C

2 Faults Found
01349 - Alarm via Theft Warning System; Front
35-00 - -
01350 - Alarm via Theft Warning System; Rear
35-00 - -

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 55: Xenon Range Labels: 4B0-907-357-DYN.lbl
Part No: 4B0 907 357 C
Component: dynamische LWR D03
Coding: 00001
Shop #: WSC 131071
VCID: 2854FAFEA4A90D5C

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 56: Radio Labels: None
Part No: 4D0 035 195 A
Component: Radio D00
Coding: 00117
Shop #: WSC 02314
VCID: 2044E2DECC99F51C

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 76: Park Assist Labels: 4D0-919-283.lbl
Part No: 4D0 919 283
Component: Parkingsystem A8 RDW D06
Coding: 01108
Shop #: WSC 00000
VCID: E8D43AFEE4294D5C

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 02: Auto Trans Labels: 01L-927-156.lbl
Part No: 4D0 927 156 CP
Component: AG5 01L 4.2l5V USA 1414
Coding: 00002
Shop #: WSC 02314
VCID: 79F2EFBA0F8344D4

1 Fault Found
17114 - Gear Ratio Monitoring: Incorrect Gear Ratio
P0730 - 35-00 - -

End ---------------------------------------------------------------------


.....also, I noticed that there was some kind of fluid all over the driver's side of the engine, under the car and all the way to the transmission pan......

I took some pics, quality is kinda bad because I took them with my crappy phone...

......it was transmission fluid.....

........continued....

 

........

Here are the next pictures, in one of the pictures I selected the hose/hoses where apparently transmission fluid is leaking.....

I took some pictures underneath the car, but pictures suck ( I just put my arm in and snapped away), but at least the transmission fluid can be appreciated all over the engine, and all the way under and to the transmission fluid pan.....

My friend (mechanic, very good one I might add, but doesn't work on vw-audi because he says they are a PITA) said that we can at least lift up the car and check how the fluid level is, and since it was leaking fluid, there has to be fluid missing inside the transmission.....how much???? well, I we will find out as soon as we do it....... will try to do that tomorrow....

...........could it be just low transmission fluid??? (I am on my knees, (praying, I might ad, hehe))

know........waht kind of fluid should I use to top off?????

Can I use some cheap stuff or any comparable fluid??

"I will only test the transmission by adding fluid, and if by some miracle the car runs good, if it does and its only a low fluid problem, I will then immediately take out the oil, remove the pan, change the filter and ad new oil (as explained on audipages) and get the leaks figured out........"

All your input is greatly appreciated...

cheers!!!

......or just find out for sure the transmission is blown and need a new one and/or a repair

ALSO, I would like to add, that I took the car for a spin, and the reverse is slipping as well, not much but you can definitely fell it just a tad..........and you can hear a very very soft grind under the car where the transmission is......it lasts for about 2 seconds 3 max and then goes away...

 

grave digging for answers.

any update on this?

 

Me too...please give any updates I have the exact same problems....

 

I haven't studied this trans yet, I have studied the 4L60E from GM, and often when you see a problem in D but not R it is one of the 2 planetary gearsets broken.

Problem with an automatic, if something is broke, it quickly sends metal fragments everywhere, and with the very very thin clutches it often destroys the trans is very short order.

GM had some issues with the sun shell on the main planetary set breaking. The 4L65E got a 5 gear planetary gearset. Where the 4L60E got a 4. This helped a lot distribute the load and were much less common to cause issues.

So does it need to be rebuilt, probably, I hate to stay it. Check for metal fragments on the dipstick.

If you have easy access to the cooler lines, insert a clear fuel filter inline and run it for a couple min, then take it out and cut open the filter and inspect for metal shavings.

 

No dipsticks on VW/Audi trans's for many, many years now.

 

Is Audi still on the lifetime trans fill recommendation or are they back to servicing at specified mileage?

Is there a dipstick that can be added? Say from same trans/different application ?

Is this trans specific to the A8 or is it common across other platforms?