All of Transmission Fluid Leaked Out Overnight

[bettybug1959]

I just bought my daughter 99 Beetle Automatic about two weeks ago. The fluid light comes on sometimes and it seems to have trouble getting to 2nd gear but shifts just fine otherwise. She is learning to drive and they are repaving the road and she hit uneven pavement yesterday and it hit hard. This morning we got up and there was transmission fluid all over the garage floor. My son jacked it up and it seems to be coming from a pan next to the front driver side wheel. With that much fluid gone, we won't start it up. We drove home yesterday and nothing seem out of ordinary, but my son thought he saw the Check Engine light from the back seat. I plan to call a tow truck to take it a repair shop. But I need some help so they don't take me. What could be the problem? Thanks in advance

[Canadianbugin]

Originally Posted by bettybug1959

I just bought my daughter 99 Beetle Automatic about two weeks ago. The fluid light comes on sometimes and it seems to have trouble getting to 2nd gear but shifts just fine otherwise. She is learning to drive and they are repaving the road and she hit uneven pavement yesterday and it hit hard. This morning we got up and there was transmission fluid all over the garage floor. My son jacked it up and it seems to be coming from a pan next to the front driver side wheel. With that much fluid gone, we won't start it up. We drove home yesterday and nothing seem out of ordinary, but my son thought he saw the Check Engine light from the back seat. I plan to call a tow truck to take it a repair shop. But I need some help so they don't take me. What could be the problem? Thanks in advance

If you have basic hand tools and are handy you could re-place the transmission pan yourself as this is probably the problem...

[DZLBUG]

There is no "fluid light" for the transmission fluid. What light is actually on? Are you sure it is transmission fluid that leaked out?

[MichelleRoze]

my guess is the "fluid light" is the coolant temp light? That comes on, just about every time you start the car. Blue means cold. red means hot. Flashing..well that means no good, stop the car and tow it.

If it's leaking from the driver side then my guess is that it could be the tranny fluid. But man, even in an auto, especially if not lowers, she'd have to hit a DEEP pot hole. There is even a shield over the tranny in an auto. But I suppose anything is possible.

I would see if you can repair it yourself before taking it to a shop. You could probably start it up...but don't drive it and see if the check engine light is on or not. Shouldn't hurt the tranny if it doesn't move...but don't take my word on that.

[Smileybug]

Sure its not oil thats leaked out? Cracking the oil pan is far more common than the transmission. And as DZLBUG said, there is no transmission fluid light. The only lights I can think of would be the oil light or coolant light. What color is the light and what does it look like?

[VdubOne]

Most likely could also be the rear main seal, the seal that links the transmission and the engine.

[bettybug1959]

There is a blue fluid light which I'm guessing is coolant. And the check engine light is on.

[Smileybug]

The blue light is normal. It is the coolant light, and is blue when you start the car until the engine is up to operating temperature.

Are you sure its trans fluid and not oil? Cracked oil pans are pretty common in these cars when you hit a good bump.

[MichelleRoze]

it's probably coolant. I'm having this issue as well. The coolant flange is on the driver side of the engine and it leaks down right at about the transmission area. If it's a pink fluid, it's not transmission fluid. Check engine light WILL come on if the coolant flange is bad. It's plastic so most likely, it is bad. Now, as far as the tranny shifting bad...it's an automatic. Depending on how many miles you have on it, it could very well be working on it's way out. Do a fluid change if you haven't yet. I hit 150K and my automatic started to die. And when it does, it' dies fast! I now drive a 5 spd. .... Just sayin'...

[daughtersbeetle]

So what was the problem ?