My Audi dealer has informed me that the gearbox control unit needs to be replaced on my Audi A4 2002 3.0 Multitronic. It has done 102000 kms. The gearbox was replaced 18 months ago under the maintenance plan.

The symptoms have been as follows:

The gearbox automatically disengaged and the computer display doesn't show the letters of the gears, this has happened on four occasions over four days and +/- 150 kms. The speedometer also drops to zero. On three of the occasions, this has happened after travelling on a steep incline and after one steep decline.

Once the vehicle has come to a standstill I have turned the vehicle off and then restarted. After restarting, the brake warning light is illuminated (also message ABS faulty) and the vehicle will still not engage. After a short period, within 5 min, I am able to restart and drive as if nothing had happened.

Does anyone have any suggestions, other than replacing the gearbox control unit?

 

UPDATE

The dealer has informed me that it could be two to three weeks before the control unit will be delivered. I decided to take the vehicle back and recheck the symptoms.

On the way home when accelerating over 4000 revs the transmission momentarily disengaged on three occasions.

On the last leg home I again drove up the steep hill and suddenly the transmission disengaged again. I made sure that I did not exceed 3000 revs. After trying to restart, the computer displayed brake fault. I finally had the vehicle towed onto the flat and after 5 min was able to drive again.

Any ideas?

 

It sounds like a defective TCM to me. Hopefully they are replacing it under warranty even though it's been 18 months. How many miles?

 

Thanks for reply,

Warranty elapsed 21 days ago. Less than 65000 miles and around 20000 miles since gearbox were replaced.

Considering trading in for A6 3.0 tdi with a motor plan?