transmission issues no reverse
 

Vehicle: WV jetta 1.8 Turbo 2003 tiptronic transmission
Mileage: 99100
symptoms: reverse gear not working when car is cold.
For the past month I've been experiencing an unusual problem with my automatic tiptronic transmission: the car won't move if put into reverse gear unless you drive it for 20 min or so. There are no noise issues or anything weird other than when the car is cold, it won't go into reverse right away. At first it would go into reverse 5 min later or so if I waited. Then I noticed that if I drive to the grocery store, or work by the time I get to my destination (10 miles or so of driving around) the reverse works fine. Sometimes I feel the car jerks but not violently or anything.My mechanic took at look at the transmission fluid and said it a bit burnt. Engine oil has been replaced every 3k with synthetic oil. All other gears work fine. No jerks or anything, even when using the semi automatic tiptronic. Gears shift smoothly. From what I gather, the issue arises only when I start my car and it is cold. (I live in Orange county, CA so the weather isn't terribly cold or anything like extreme temperatures) Upon doing some research I've read that some of the Jettas 2001 and 02 had a similar problem with transmissions. It was suggested to me to do a transmission flush though I've heard that VW doesn't recommend it because the fluid is supposed to last a lifetime (I doubt this claim though) so I want to do a flush nevertheless.Could anyone instruct me as to what exactly I need to buy to do this myself. I assume I have to buy some proprietary transmission fluid from VW and that it is not recommended to use any other brand. I am fine with that as long as I am not paying 100 bucks for a liter of their OEM fluid. I read somewhere it cost about 12 bucks a liter. I think I need about 5.3 liters to 6 liters to do a complete flush.I am assuming I need a new filter and the gasket and a tool to remove the transmission plug. I think this is a task I can do myself but if it proves too difficult I would buy all the parts and have a local mechanic do the flush for me.
Anyone have any ideas as to1) how much would it cost me to get all parts I need for this (fluid, filter, gasket, any other thing I may need for this that I am forgetting to mention here) and2) my plan b: take it to the mechanic and have him do it (I'll give him everything he needs) how much would be a fair offer to do so? 40 or 50 bucks? I am simply guessing it won't take more than an hour to do so.3) what I am trying to avoid (basically getting ripped): how much would a VW dealer charge for this if I had no other option and they probably wouldn't accept me buying the parts somewhere else.4)what about transmission issues with the reverse gear? is this something common? I am on the right track by assuming that I simply need a transmission fluid or is this symptom indicative that my transmission will ultimately die of some unknown cause.I'd appreciate some help with this matter.best wishes

robert

RE: transmission issues no reverse
 

A transmission flush is totally different from a oil change.
doing it your self, you wont get all the fluid out, a flush is
where they install it on a machine, and flush it out and install new fluid, never take your own products to a mechanic and have him use them, you don't get a warranty
if anything fails....tough it's your parts or fluid, and he doesn't make a little off the products so he goes up on the
labor to cover what he has lost on the deal. Trying to save
a dollar on something important and costly could cost you
a lot in the end.

RE: transmission issues no reverse
 

what happened I have the same problem as you. Any advice please.

RE: transmission issues no reverse
 

What have you tried? Have you done any troubleshooting?

RE: transmission issues no reverse
 

I took the car to the dealer and they said that it was a sensor that was going bad inside the transmission and that you can only change the tranny , but I was trying to find out if anyone else had some other luck. Its an auto tranny, and I think that they just want to take a easy safe way out , but im not sure. So if anyone has had this same problem and found a fix other than replacing the transmission that would be great. Thanks

RE: transmission issues no reverse
 

I've yet to get very far with this, but I suspect the Vehicle Speed Sensor. If so, it is bolted on the outside of the transmission. You do have to lower the transmission a couple of inches to get to it.

RE: transmission issues no reverse
 

My friend had the same problem with his 2001. VW replaced it under the 100,000 mile 10 year powertrain warranty. I'd take it to the dealer first and see if they will cover it.

BTW, some BMWs have a reverse problem withZF transmissions. See www.noreverse.org.

Good Luck.

RE: transmission issues no reverse
 

I had the same problem, took my ride to the workshop and they fixed it.
Simple, in'it?

Singh...Honey Singh.
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RE: transmission issues no reverse
 

I'm having similar tranny issues with my 2000 VR6 automatic. I have reverse and all of my gears but it just sort of lurches and doesn't seem to have a lot of power. I am not the original owner so I don't think that it will be covered. It does fall within the 10 years and it only has 93,XXX miles.

RE: transmission issues no reverse
 

A input or output speed sensor on one of these units wont keep it from haveing reverse. When this happens, pull the shifter to manuel low and see if it does the same thing. If it does there is a problem with the low/rev clutches. I have seen them peel out before. Hope this helps.