My beetle = Depeche Mode fan NOT a Limp Mode Fan!

[EvilinaDM101]

Could someone please explain or list the symptoms of "limp mode"? I was told by 2 different mechanics that Evilina is possibly in "limp mode". She was running perfectly fine the other day and now she's having some issues. ACTUALLY, now that I think about it, RIGHT after we got back from Roswell (End of June), she did what she is doing now for maybe 15 minutes but then went back to normal, till now. While driving, she has NO problems getting up in speed, BUT she won't shift gears(she's an automatic 2.0) I'll be running on the freeway at 60mph and her rpm's will be at 4K to 5K. No CEL on and I was told by a reliable source that it's probably her tranmission filter clogged and needs to be replaced along with her transmission fluid. She's at 73,000 miles and has never had any transmission work done. I've been searching on here and it definitely sounds like that would be the fix but then when I explained how she is acting to others, I got everything from speed sensor, limp mode and to shift solenoid.

Anyone have any thoughts or opinions to Evilina's situation? Any bit of information would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks in advance!!

I understand she's a fan of DEPECHE MODE but not this "limp mode" business!!!

[DZLBUG]

Do you pay attention to the shifts at all? How many are you getting? It is a 4 speed transmission so you should feel 3 separate shifts. There is also the torque converter lockup which will drop the rpms further.

I don't know what rpms the 2.0's normally run at that speed, but it sounds as though either the car is not shifting into OD or the TC is not locking up. Either one could have a multitude of causes.

The first thing to do in this case is to scan for any transmission codes. There are speed sensors that do go faulty and will cause issues like this. If there is nothing to fix there, move on to getting the fluid and filter changed. Make sure it gets done PROPERLY with the correct VW fluid and the correct procedure. There are instructions linked elsewhere here. It would be a good idea to change the fluid no matter what, even though VW says it should be "sealed" for life. I call B.S. on that one.

If it is not a fluid or sensor issue...I have bad news. Beyond those items, there is not much that is serviceable in these transmissions. Parts are not readily available and they are expensive, which makes rebuilds expensive and ineffective. Many shops don't know what to do with these. Just ask "beej" how her transmission "rebuild" went. Long story short, the guy worked on it for weeks and she was lucky enough to get her money back...now Growler is swapping in a 5 speed manual for her.

If it turns out to be something serious, your only viable options are to replace it with a new transmission from VW ($$$$) or swapping it out for a 5 speed.

Good luck.

[EvilinaDM101]

Thanks DZLBUG for the fast response.

As for paying attention to the shifts, here's the thing, when I put her in DRIVE, I step on the gas and she goes. She actually doesn't sound like she ever "shifts". She accelerates and then so does her RPM's. I have tried driving her and starting off in 1st gear (the #1 on the automatic shifter) then shifting into 2. When doing that you could feel her shift but it doesn't drop the RPM's. From 2 to 3, there is no sound or feeling of shifting and then from 3 back into Drive, nothing.

Yeah, I have read about the drama of Beej's situation and I am HOPING that I don't have to go through the same.

As for scanning for transmission codes, how exactly would I go by doing that? I have done the autozone scan and the only code that came up was the P0753 Shift Solenoid. With having that code I did some extensive research and saw that it was mainly for the shift display on the gauge.

Speaking of having codes read, with this ongoing situation, I am planning on purchasing Vagcom. Does anyone know if purchasing the cord from ebay and then downloading the program from the site is just as good as paying for the package deals for $249 and up from them?

*sigh* I have no problems with driving a stick shift but I really do hope this is more of a simple fix versus the extreme.

Thanks again.

[EvilinaDM101]

OH!!

Does this sound like a clogged filter? I do already plan to get the transmission fluid and filter replaced BUT for this situation to have already occured and then fix itself, I keep thinking that the filter could possibly be the culprit.

If a sensor had gone out then she wouldn't have fixed herself back in June. If it was a clogged filter issue, possibly there was a small clog that occured and then was able to clear itself. Now there is a MAJOR clog that she can't clear out and hense why I think this could be it.

Am I grasping straws or does this kinda make sense?

[Lmhansen]

Even with the automatic, you should notice that the transmission shifts. There's usually a "nudge" when this happens, and the RPMs will drop and then start to build up as you keep accelerating.

I got the same car (a year older) and I'm heading out on the highway now. I'll let you know what RPMs you should be seeing at 60MPH.

[EvilinaDM101]

Originally Posted by Lmhansen

Even with the automatic, you should notice that the transmission shifts. There's usually a "nudge" when this happens, and the RPMs will drop and then start to build up as you keep accelerating.

I got the same car (a year older) and I'm heading out on the highway now. I'll let you know what RPMs you should be seeing at 60MPH.

Thank you!

As for the "nudge", the only time I feel a "nudge" is if I am doing the gear 1 to 2 method. No change in RPM's just that "nudge".

[DZLBUG]

Pay better attention to what your car is doing. You can feel the shifts and see them on the tach. It is not a clogged filter, they don't clog. Speed sensor issues can be intermittent, the car didn't "fix itself." Autozone scanners may not pick these codes up. Vag-Com will do it, but only the freeware version will work with the ebay cables...and even then they don't always work unless you really know your computer stuff. Buy the real deal, don't be a freeloader on Ross-Tech's back.

It might be a better idea to seek out the services of a QUALIFIED VW mechanic. This does not mean the dealer or some indie aircooled mechanic. You need someone who is competent and knowledgeable of modern VW's and their autofail transmissions.

[EvilinaDM101]

Thanks again for the input DZLBUG.

I will be making some calls today to hopefully find a QUALIFIED VW mechanic that's not at the dealership. The quote they already gave me at the dealership is $600.

Oi vey!

I'll post back what happens from this point....

As for the Vagcom, I was already thinking of picking up the package from Ross-tech so I can be sure to get the correct and update info.

Thanks again and hopefully Evilina will get fixed soon!

[Lmhansen]

At 60MPH, your RPMs should be at 2800
At 65MPH, your RPMs should be at 3000
That is, with an automatic transmission and standard wheels.

FWIW, mine appears to shift at 15MPH, 25MPH and 40MPH during what I consider a "normal" acceleration on a flat-ish road.

[MichelleRoze]

So so so soooo sorry to hear that Evilina is having tranny issues Makes me sad. I know that one day I'll be headed this way soon. Probie had 112K on the tranny and had never been serviced. I changed the fluid and filter almost 10K ago and things are still great!!!

Here are some trustworthy mechanics from the TDIclub. Maybe someone will have a VAGCOM and can see if there are codes.

Nevada

Automotion Compact Car Care
225 Telegraph St
Reno, NV 89502
775-284-944

Wolf DMS Performance
4300 North Pecos Suite #10
Las Vegas 89115

(702) 651-9360
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showpost.p...&postcount=722

and Depending on where you are, some of these might work too

California

Autowerkstat
463 Blossom Hill Rd
San Jose, CA 95123
(408) 224-1952 Contact: Chris
www.autowerkstat.com

Bugformance of San Jose Inc
31 S Capitol Ave
San Jose, CA 95127
(408) 926-8830 Contact: Charles
www.bugformance.com

EF1 Motorsports
2675 Dawson Street
Signal Hill, CA 90755
(562) 424-3378 Ask for Fabrizio
www.ef1motorsports.net/

European Auto Repair
1928 High Street
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 521-2066

Wild Rose Motors Ltd - Harvieux (Leonard Harview)
13253 Meyer Rd.
Whittier, CA 90605
http://www.vwtdionly.com/
(562) 946-9000 local
(800) 341-1012 toll free
wrmltd@pacbell.net

Top Shop Automotive
177 S Patterson Ave
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 964-6554

Streetwerke
292 Lambert Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 739-0820 Contact: Darren
www.streetwerke.com

Tomas Sport Tuning
1035 Broadway Ave
San Pablo, CA 94806
(510) 235-2350 Contact: Tim
www.tomassporttuning.com

Van-Café
1823 Soquel Ave.
Santa Cruz, Ca 95062
(831) 426-1244 (Get a quote from Peter, the owner, for $456 for a full TB change)

VW Specialties
17682 Gothard Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
(714) 848-3766
www.vwspecialties.com

Scott Russell - BioChoppers
Mobile Diesel Repair -will travel to you-
Serving: Southern California
Timing Belts and all general maintenance
562)201-5868
biochoppers@yahoo.com

Thousand Oaks Precision Auto Repair Service
50 N Skyline Dr Ste 6,
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362-5998
805-496-9421
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showpost.p...&postcount=711


I hope that it's not the tranny slipping. Hopefully it's a simple fix. But it doesn't sound too promising.

[akasha1963]

I don't know what rpms the 2.0's normally run at that speed, but it sounds as though either the car is not shifting into OD or the TC is not locking up. Either one could have a multitude of causes.


My manual transmission 2.0 runs at 3k rpm at 60 mph.

[bigbeetlefan]

Hi, EvilinaDM101， My bug is now having the same problem, i took it back to dealer, they replaced O2 sensor and air flow meter which is very expensive, it works fine for 1 week, but now the problem came back on again.

If I turn off and restart the car, it works fine, but if drive a while, the problem will pop-up again. not sure if you have fixed yours? What is the actual cause?

[RedThunder94]

oh jeez evilina, good luck with that prob, ours is at 117700 and change and as far as i know no tranny service, still shifts okay-ish, but i am just waiting for the trans to let go, thats gonna hurt. i hope yours will be okay just with the service, hopefully i can get out from under a couple of bills so i can get it done on ours. the shop i go to quoted us about a buck fifty for the service.