Torque Converter to Replace Tranny?

[marvins_dad]

Need you guys expertise as I know what to do with the outside and interior of my car...but engine...not so much and clueless with auto transmission.

Background:
On 3/21/2010 I got this code on a routine VAG COM check

Address 02 -------------------------------------------------------
Controller: 01M 927 733 KT
Component: AG4 Getriebe 01M 4995
Coding: 00000
Shop #: WSC 00000
1 Fault Found:
01192 - Torque Converter Lock-Up Clutch
04-10 - Mechanical Malfunction - Intermittent

Rescanned this weekend 4/4/2010 and it wasn't there (definition of intermittent...right?!)

Took to dealership and they say the Torque Converter is going out...but they tend to notice that when it goes the Tranny is short to follow so they recommend do both at one time - $6400.
If they just do the Torque Converter it would be $2000-2400.
He did say that it could be fine for another couple years then start shifting funny then die....but no way of noticing.
I'm not even sure they would have found it if I hadn't pointed it out to them.

So - I am getting ready to take a 2000 mile round trip to North Carolina for the TOD in a couple weeks.

1 - should I be concerned about this and rush to put it in the shop or should this be fine for my immediate trip?
2 - if I put it in the shop...should I shop around to someone other than the dealer? Like a local Audi/VW shop with a good reputation.
3 - What about rebuilding the tranny - is this even done on ours...I know I had an 88 Ford that I had that done on before...but not sure what type of tech we are talking about here.
4 - Reconditioned transmissions and torque converters...do these exist.
5 - Am I an adding an issue to all of this by pulling a motorcycle sized trailer (small trailer with a roof top cargo holder) for my immediate trip?
6 - basically what are my options other than $6400?

Please educated me...FAST! LOL

[wilky]

Eff the dealer. the VW autos are know to have problems, but thats the price of not shifting.
what exactly is the car doing? or is it just you got a code.

[MichelleRoze]

don't bother fixing it. run it til it's 100% dead. There is a guy over here in the south east who can do a 5 speed swap for $2500. Not worth putting an auto back in the car. Let me guess, Marvin has somewhere between 100K and 150K miles right? That's about the time these autos in TDI's go caput! A 5 speed will cost less to swap in, increase gas mileage, increase performance options, be more fun to drive, AND when it goes bad....it CAN be fixed....

As far as I know, no one has successfully rebuilt or repaired an auto tranny without it failing before 100K. I would say leave it, drive it until you lose gears completely. Then swap.

Hope we can still see Marvin at the ToD!

[marvins_dad]

It show's absolutely no signs of problems. Shifts smooth.

I just found that code about the torque converter and wanted them to check it out.

He's the one that inflated the whole deal to be "typically I see when the torque converter fails...the tranny follows shortly - so I suggest you change both out now"

Well, he's smokin' crack because as far as I can tell it is an intermittent code that has nothing to do with the tranny directly...right?

Car has 96k on it currently, shouldn't hit 100k until well after the TOD.

$2500 is more something I can stomach...is that including all the parts and labor? Wonder how long that would take?

[wilky]

Originally Posted by marvins_dad

It show's absolutely no signs of problems. Shifts smooth.

I just found that code about the torque converter and wanted them to check it out.

He's the one that inflated the whole deal to be "typically I see when the torque converter fails...the tranny follows shortly - so I suggest you change both out now"

Well, he's smokin' crack because as far as I can tell it is an intermittent code that has nothing to do with the tranny directly...right?

Car has 96k on it currently, shouldn't hit 100k until well after the TOD.

$2500 is more something I can stomach...is that including all the parts and labor? Wonder how long that would take?

I wouldn't worry about it until it starts acting up other than throwing a code, hell that could be a loose sensor connection.

[MichelleRoze]

Yeah if it's not acting up, don't worry about it. If you haven't even hit 100K yet you should be ok. But I would begin to save for the $2500. Yes that includes PARTS AND LABOR. And he does the searching for the parts and labor, you don't have to! Just give him at least a weeks notice so he can gather the parts. Not sure how long it would take. probably a couple days to a week, I would imagine.

I say, ignore them and continue driving Marvin as normal. It's shifting fine, it's not acting up, as long as you change the fluid every 40K you should be gold for awhile. No worries!

[beej]

Antoine, you have just under 100K, did you do your drop the pan, change the fluids and put in a new filter yet? When you add the new filter, put a few extra magnets in the pan.

Electra's tranny would not have died had she been serviced, when I finally had her cracked open, a seal had split and was leaking fluid. They can find issues like this before its too late.