Auto Gearbox Trouble

[Michael_H]

Hi. Hope somebody can help me here. I have an 1998 MK1 Galaxy TDi, Auto; gearbox never worked properly.

Brief history:

1) Gearbox rebuilt - working now but not well

2) New gearbox ECU - working better but not there yet

3) New gearbox wire assembly - working better than after step 2, but still not right.

 

Now, since I have had a diagnostic computer plug in, wchich returned with an Engine Management ECU fail, could there be a correlation between the two? The gearbox specialist told me that the engine management ECU does not affect the Auto Gears performance, but I am not convinced.

Edited August 4, 2009 by Michael_H

[big_kev]

The gearbox specialist told me that the engine management ECU does not affect the Auto Gears performance, but I am not convinced.

 

He's talking rubbish.

 

Find a "specialist" who knows how an automatic gearbox works.

 

The Engine Management ECU fail most likely means that the diagnostic software could not communicate with the ECU it does not necessarily point to an ECU failure.

Could be a broken wire or incompatible software.

[Michael_H]

Thank you big_kev for you quick post;

 

it is plausible that it is indeed a wire problem as I have had quite a few of those throughout the car.

 

If the ECU is indeed faulty, your opinion is that it could affect the auto gearbox performance? Can you describe how so?

 

I am experiencing an unsmooth change from first to second, more like a bang, and severe shaking under torque, going about 50mph uphill, it is like it hesitates to downshift; it corrects itself only if I put it in 3 manually, or if I give it more power.

 

Also at cruising speed on motorway, it feels as if there is some sort of skidding, for lack of better descriptive word.

 

Thank you for your opinion.

Edited August 4, 2009 by Michael_H

[big_kev]

If the Engine ECU is faulty/working incorrectly then this will greatly affect the engine performance.

 

An autobox relies on the output from the engine to work correctly.

 

However I doubt this is the case with yours.

 

 

 

 

I am assuming that the gearbox has the correct oil and correct amount in.

 

 

 

When they rebuilt the autobox did they replace the torque convertor ?

Edited August 4, 2009 by big_kev

[eddies]

Hi. Hope somebody can help me here. I have an 1998 MK1 Galaxy TDi, Auto; gearbox never worked properly.

Brief history:

1) Gearbox rebuilt - working now but not well

2) New gearbox ECU - working better but not there yet

3) New gearbox wire assembly - working better than after step 2, but still not right.

 

Now, since I have had a diagnostic computer plug in, wchich returned with an Engine Management ECU fail, could there be a correlation between the two? The gearbox specialist told me that the engine management ECU does not affect the Auto Gears performance, but I am not convinced.

[eddies]

Have a 2000 Tdi with 4-speed auto. replaced the box and ecu ....plus recon torque converter. the replacement box works ok with a little bang from 1st to 2nd...

But soon afterwards ende dup witjh grating noise at low speed. Traced problem to Valve Body problem (by swoppig the old valve body into the newer box)..........Got ROBBS GARAGE in teh Wirral to check the valve body ---- problem found with Lock Up in valve body and fixed the problem. Re-installed the repaired valve body and RESET the Gearbox with VAG-COM ...alll seems to work well now.

 

DID you have the gearbox RESET with VAG-COM after teh box was changed ... IF not I suspect you will have problems..........Also you can call Robbs Garaged and describe the probvlem and see if they can advise on the problem - They are very helpful.

[Michael_H]

Torque converter was not replaced...

How expensive is it?

[big_kev]

Torque converter was not replaced...

How expensive is it?

 

Probably more than the car is worth.

[eddies]

Mine cost

[Michael_H]

Have a 2000 Tdi with 4-speed auto. replaced the box and ecu ....plus recon torque converter. the replacement box works ok with a little bang from 1st to 2nd...

But soon afterwards ende dup witjh grating noise at low speed. Traced problem to Valve Body problem (by swoppig the old valve body into the newer box)..........Got ROBBS GARAGE in teh Wirral to check the valve body ---- problem found with Lock Up in valve body and fixed the problem. Re-installed the repaired valve body and RESET the Gearbox with VAG-COM ...alll seems to work well now.

 

DID you have the gearbox RESET with VAG-COM after teh box was changed ... IF not I suspect you will have problems..........Also you can call Robbs Garaged and describe the probvlem and see if they can advise on the problem - They are very helpful.

 

ECU was reset.

Has the problem from first to second gone after the Valve-Body issue had been addressed?

Where is Robbs Garage and what is his number?

[eddies]

Change from 1st to 2nd is good ...........used to be severe thump...........

 

Robbs Garage is in WIRRAL Merseyside area .......don't have the number to hand ...check yell.com.......................JT AUtomatics (also very helpful) are in ERITH (Kent)on the east side of London...off the M25