Reverse stopped working on Volkswagen Jetta 2001
#1
03-21-2018, 08:27 PM
Reverse stopped working on Volkswagen Jetta 2001
Hi,
The reverse in my 2001 automatic Jetta with 140k miles started to act funny a couple of months ago.
First the reverse randomly didn't kick in at times. I flipped it to a different gear and back and it usually worked.
It mostly happened just when starting the car so at the first two car shops I visited it was difficult to even replicate the problem.
It all escalated and it took a few more attempts of going back and forth between the gears to get it into reverse.
I found out that if I go all the way down to gear 1 and then up again it worked on the first or second attempt when going back to R.
Now a few weeks later that trick doesn't work anymore and it can take up to 50-60 attempts and 10-15 min to get it into reverse.
All other gears are working fine, but it's not sustainable and dangerous to be out driving this car at this point. I have to plan my trips extremely well.
One of the shops I went to recommended me to go to a dedicated transmission specialist. I live in LA so there are a few of them.
The first one switched out the whole stick-box inside of the car for a used one and charged me $300. That was at the point where it only happened occasionally so it seemed to be working when I left the shop.
The day after it was the same story. I went back and they claimed that something in the box was broken and that they fixed a different problem that I didn't know I had. They took a second look and ended up changing some fluids.
Same thing, I drove off and the next day the problem was back.
I took it to a different transmission shop and they got back to me saying that the whole transmission needs to be replaced and quoted me $5-6k or $3k for a used one.
The car is worth less than $2k on KBB so I kindly declined and they got furious at me. They also "found another problem" with a sound and quoted me $600, which turned out to be just an oil change so I don't know if I can trust them.
I don't have a lot of money and the car is working great apart from this so before I give up, is there anything else I can try or ask for at a car shop?
Can it be an electrical problem or just a worn out part? If it didn't work at all I would be less hopeful, but it still kicks in after a lot of attempts, which by the way I guess is not the best thing to do to the transmission.
But if you want to get out of the parking lot, what can you do.
I don't know if it's related but I got this error code from one of the places I visited:
16990 Control Pressure Fault
(A google returned: 16990 = P0606 = ECM/PCM Processor)
Thanks for any tips!
The reverse in my 2001 automatic Jetta with 140k miles started to act funny a couple of months ago.
First the reverse randomly didn't kick in at times. I flipped it to a different gear and back and it usually worked.
It mostly happened just when starting the car so at the first two car shops I visited it was difficult to even replicate the problem.
It all escalated and it took a few more attempts of going back and forth between the gears to get it into reverse.
I found out that if I go all the way down to gear 1 and then up again it worked on the first or second attempt when going back to R.
Now a few weeks later that trick doesn't work anymore and it can take up to 50-60 attempts and 10-15 min to get it into reverse.
All other gears are working fine, but it's not sustainable and dangerous to be out driving this car at this point. I have to plan my trips extremely well.
One of the shops I went to recommended me to go to a dedicated transmission specialist. I live in LA so there are a few of them.
The first one switched out the whole stick-box inside of the car for a used one and charged me $300. That was at the point where it only happened occasionally so it seemed to be working when I left the shop.
The day after it was the same story. I went back and they claimed that something in the box was broken and that they fixed a different problem that I didn't know I had. They took a second look and ended up changing some fluids.
Same thing, I drove off and the next day the problem was back.
I took it to a different transmission shop and they got back to me saying that the whole transmission needs to be replaced and quoted me $5-6k or $3k for a used one.
The car is worth less than $2k on KBB so I kindly declined and they got furious at me. They also "found another problem" with a sound and quoted me $600, which turned out to be just an oil change so I don't know if I can trust them.
I don't have a lot of money and the car is working great apart from this so before I give up, is there anything else I can try or ask for at a car shop?
Can it be an electrical problem or just a worn out part? If it didn't work at all I would be less hopeful, but it still kicks in after a lot of attempts, which by the way I guess is not the best thing to do to the transmission.
But if you want to get out of the parking lot, what can you do.
I don't know if it's related but I got this error code from one of the places I visited:
16990 Control Pressure Fault
(A google returned: 16990 = P0606 = ECM/PCM Processor)
Thanks for any tips!
#2
03-22-2018, 08:30 AM
First posts normally go in introductions else you could get a free fix and we never see you again!!!
Default Welcome to Volkswagen Forum - Rules & Recommendations
EOBD II Error Code: P0606
Fault Location:
Internal Control Module - Processor Fault - Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
Possible Cause:
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)(K83) active.
Engine may not start.
Control Module faulty.
Possible Solutions:
Replace Control Module.
Default Welcome to Volkswagen Forum - Rules & Recommendations
VAG Error Code: 16990/9772/001542/20359
EOBD II Error Code: P0606
Fault Location:
Internal Control Module - Processor Fault - Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
Possible Cause:
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)(K83) active.
Engine may not start.
Control Module faulty.
Possible Solutions:
Replace Control Module.
#5
05-01-2018, 09:50 PM
Noep, unfortunately not. Don't know what to do. The car works perfectly apart from that, which is a shame. Kind of a big deal to not have reverse. Weird that nobody seems to know what it is either. Clearly a lot of people are having the problem, but I haven't seen any solutions.
#6
05-02-2018, 07:10 AM
I think electrical.
well iv done a tone a repairs and this problem just keeps coming back... I rebuilt the valve chest and replaced all the solenoids along with the harness cleaned all my grounds, tested my TCU and ecu checked all my fuses that I know about lol and I still have no revers and my revers lights won't even turn on even tho the bulbs are new.... I'm going to try and hunt down the electrical gremlin today if I ave any success I'll let you know or if you have any suggestion to try out let me know
#7
05-02-2018, 11:05 AM
No, I’m out of ideas and after taking it to many shops, I’m starting to reach the value of the car just in paying for people to look at it 
Is yours not working at all? I can still get it to kick in, if I try for 10-15 min.
Please let me know what you find.
Is yours not working at all? I can still get it to kick in, if I try for 10-15 min.
Please let me know what you find.
#8
05-05-2018, 10:38 PM
Hey brother if you want to read my story check my thread I just put up all the stuff iv done to fix it so far to get to where I am now. I had 16 codes and iv been able to nerrow it down to just p0705 code... don't know if you ever had that code or not.... and did you ever have an issue with your shift lock light, revers lights or starting the car?
#9
05-06-2018, 07:35 AM
You need to post all error codes?EOBD II Error Code: P0705
Fault Location:
Multi-Function Transmission Range Switch (F125) - Malfunction (PRNDL Input) - Implausible Signal
Possible Cause:
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)(K83) active.
Wiring/Connector(s) from/to Multi-Function Switch (F125) faulty.
Multi-Function Switch (F125) faulty.
Engine Control Module (ECM)/Powertrain Control Module (PCM)/Transmission Control Module (TCM) (J217).
Possible Solutions:
Check/Replace Wiring/Connector(s) from/to Multi-Function Switch (F125)
Check Multi-Function Switch (F125)
Check Measuring Value Blocks (MVB)
Special Notes:
On 5-Speed Automatic Transmission (01V) see MVB 004.2.
When is the code detected?:
The transmission range switch detects the selector lever position and sends a signal to the Transmission control module (TCM).
Description:
The park/neutral position (PNP) switch includes a transmission range switch. The transmission range switch detects the selector lever position when the shift lever is in the N or P shift position and sends a signal to the Transmission Control Module (TCM).
As taken from my new EOBD II Fault Codes Software
VAG Error Code: 17089
Fault Location:
Multi-Function Transmission Range Switch (F125) - Malfunction (PRNDL Input) - Implausible Signal
Possible Cause:
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)(K83) active.
Wiring/Connector(s) from/to Multi-Function Switch (F125) faulty.
Multi-Function Switch (F125) faulty.
Engine Control Module (ECM)/Powertrain Control Module (PCM)/Transmission Control Module (TCM) (J217).
Possible Solutions:
Check/Replace Wiring/Connector(s) from/to Multi-Function Switch (F125)
Check Multi-Function Switch (F125)
Check Measuring Value Blocks (MVB)
Special Notes:
On 5-Speed Automatic Transmission (01V) see MVB 004.2.
When is the code detected?:
The transmission range switch detects the selector lever position and sends a signal to the Transmission control module (TCM).
Description:
The park/neutral position (PNP) switch includes a transmission range switch. The transmission range switch detects the selector lever position when the shift lever is in the N or P shift position and sends a signal to the Transmission Control Module (TCM).
As taken from my new EOBD II Fault Codes Software