2.8 V6 Automatic Gearbox Wont Go Past 2Nd Gear

[matmcn]

I have had intermittent problems with my autobox not going above 2nd gear.  If I stopped and turned the ignition off and back on (sometimes a few times) then the car would drive ok.  Sometime it would just start working ok on its own.  When  I had the problem then it goes into 2nd with a thump.

 

Sods law we went shopping on Friday, 30 miles from home and the car now wont even entertain 3rd gear after a dozen times of turning it off.  When I plugged the reader in I get code 00281, Vehicle speed sensor, however the speedo is working fine.  I have checked and the oil level is still fine since I changed it 2 months ago.

 

Has anybody heard or had similar.  Problem is the 2.8v6 4x4 is quite a rare beast.

[BigDog]

I reckon the speedo gets its signal from a sensor G22 (on the gearbox) but 00281 is detecting no signal from the gearbox road speed sensor G68 (also on the gearbox). i.e. 2 different sensors so the fact your speedo is working doesn't mean the 00281 fault code is wrong.

Does the fault code come back after you clear it?

See the attached 6 files from ElsaWin all for '99 Sharan 2.8L auto syncro (4WD). The G68 sensor should read 800 to 900 ohms (for some reason in the test table pdf the Ohm sign has come out as a curly w (lower case greek Omega rather than upper case)).

 

Seatkid what do you reckon?

 

Good luck.

 

Matt

Sharan 2.8 4wd gb elecs.pdf

Sharan 2.8 4wd gb fault table.pdf

test table.pdf

Sharan 99 dash panel insert.pdf

wiring - auto gb.pdf

wiring - 4WD auto.pdf

Edited June 3, 2013 by BigDog

[matmcn]

Yes, the code comes back immediately after it has been cleared.

[matmcn]

Thank you for listing those files big dog.  I have tested the sensor at the front (supposedly the Vehicle speed sensor) and it measure anything between 8 and 20 Meg Ohms.  Have ordered one today and pick it up tomorrow.  Shame the car is up on the stands as it would be interesting to see if the speedo still works with it disconnected.  Might try once the new one is in.

 

If possible can you tell me where you got the files from.

[BigDog]

You can get copies of ElsaWin (VW Audi Seat Skoda group workshop software) on DVD from EBay. Disclaimer: This is just a statement of fact - I am not endorsing any of the alternatives for content or legitimacy.

[BigDog]

Matmcn, any joy with the new sensor?

[matmcn]

Yes.  The speed seed sensor and gearbox speed sensor are the opposite way round on the files you sent me.  Luckily the gearbox speed sensor is right on the front so drove up to the shop at 25 mph, got the sensor and changed it right then.  Car is driving fine now.

 

Thank you big dog.  I have bought a copy of elsawin and am just trying to figure it out.  Another quick question, are there a full set of wiring diagrams on there?

[BigDog]

Glad its fixed. Not sure why the sensors were reversed - misprint I guess. Yes the wiring digrams should be there - look for the lightning flash symbol. Often you have to put the full model details into the vehicle selection window, i.e. choose an exact model after clicking the MORE button and maybe select the gearbox code to get a fuller selection of diagrams. You need to expand the hierarchy like a windows folder structure.

 

Wiring diagrams are spread-out through many files - they are piece-meal. They are quite logical once you get your head round them. Sometimes the wires are not drawn but you get a jump-to x-coordinate number in a box. This used where the wires straddle several pages. The x-coordinate number corresponds to the numbers along the bottom of the page. The wire colour abbreviations are for the colours in german.

 

Matt