I've been having transmission problems with my 97 A4 1.8 Turbo (no quattro).

I took it to a local shop who had a VAG COM today to get it scanned and he pulled 4 codes.

- P1624

- P1613

- 00293 (Multi-Function Switch 27-10)

- 00526 (Brake Light Switch 27-00)

What do these mean? Anyone know?

 

p1613: transmission control module, short to B+
p1624: transmission control module, Check Engine Light malfunction

 

p1624 simply means that your MIL is ON, or at least should be.

p1613, TCM, short to B+ means that you need to check the wiring to the TCM. Check the ground and see if there's power on it for some reason. If the wiring is ok, you'll probably be looking at a new TCM.

As for the other two, does your MFS work? Headlights, cruise, blinkers?

Do the brake lights work? If not, replace the switch on the brake pedal. They are a common source for problems.

If everything runs ok and checks out, reset the codes and drive on. If they come back, then address them.

 

I've looked this one "00293 (Multi-Function Switch 27-10)" up online and gotten a few pages saying that it means that the Switch (F125) that is attached to the transmission itself is bad.

Does this sound like it might be the case?

I have no reverse, and the car seems to not go in any gear higher than 3rd. Because when I drive on the freeway it is running at about 3100 RPMs. All the gears on the dash cluster are lit up.

Any ideas. I don't want to buy a TCM and have that not be the problem.... HELP! Yikes!

 

The multi function switch fault if related to the trans could mean your gear range switch is bad and that is very common and the symptoms fit. That or your tcm is bad which is less common. I've never seen a fault associated with a bad combination switch (headlights, cruise, etc.)

 

Is the gear range switch attached to the transmission on the drivers side?

Should I replace the gear range switch first or the TCM?

Is there a way to see if one is the problem instead of the other?

 

I think the switch is on the drivers side/top of tranny with the linkage. You might have to remove a mount bracket to get to it.
Do you have access to vag com?

 

Yes.... thats where I got those codes from...

 

Oh yeah, sorry.. Go into the tcm and then into measuring blocks (engine off). Just scroll through until you find the gear position value. Shift through each gear and see if the value changes accordingly.

 

Ok, so today I FINALLY got a chance to try and see if the gear values changed! (my job has kept me REALLY busy)

First off yesterday I decided to take the back roads to work in the A4 since it hasnt been driven in a couple weeks. (since I don't have reverse and 4th and 5th gear). I went to start it and it didnt have enough juice to turn over so I jumped it with my other car and it fired right up. While driving to work i put it in 4th gear to pass a truck (forgetting that I didn't have 4th gear) and it down shiffted and took off like normal! So shocked, I stopped at a traffic light and decide to put it in reverse... and low and behold BAM... car started backing up! So of course I was EXTATIC thinking that when I jumped the car it reset the computer and fixed the problem. But when I left my work it was broken once again.

So now this morning i drove it up to the local shop by my house that has VAG COM do to the test that onepoint8tee suggested.

When I'm in the TCM, measuring blocks section. I can see the values change while I shift the gears with the engine off. Park shows up with a "P" Reverse showed up with an "R" first then the next time showed a "z5" Neutral was "N" Drive was "z3" 4th gear was "4" 3rd gear was "3" and 2nd gear was "z5"

Any ideas? The mechanic that scanned it today said it was looking like the "Transmission Range Switch" was bad... but that it might just need to be cleaned out and re-sealed? Sound right? I want to make sure of the problem before I fix it.

Thanks you in advance all mighty wise ones!

Geoff