Need help diagnosing transmission problem

[virgo80]

I have an '04 automatic and last night while going around 35mph, the rpm suddenly shot up and went back down (car slowed down when this happened). I then noticed it did this during gear changes mostly. I drove it today at about 25mph and now the rpm is going up every single time the gear changes. I'm taking my foot off the gas anytime it does this because quite frankly, it's scary.

I'm no longer under warranty, broke and am really scared about taking it in somewhere to have it looked at. I was told it could be transmission fluid (which I discovered today that I can't even check on a Beetle.. ugh), vacuum hose or cpu. Any thoughts? Everyone's recommended taking it to the dealership and I know how expensive they are. I may just have to start taking the bus if it's something $$$.

[DZLBUG]

4 speed auto or 6 speed auto? The 6 speed has the "tiptronic" (I hate that term) function.

Sounds like its slipping when trying to shift. First thing to do is to find someone who has VCDS to scan the TCM for codes, generic OBDII readers are not good enough. If its a speed sensor (I doubt it) then you could maybe get by cheap. If not, then you are looking at several thousands to repair.

VW automatics suck. Automatics in general suck. Hard to beat the simplicity and reliability of a proper manual gearbox.

[emma2049]

What, is this not normal???
My rpm goes up to about 3k at that speed and drops to 2k once it's changed gear. I thought this was normal!!! I've got the lurching, too. You've got me worried now.

[virgo80]

Emma, mine is slipping gears. First gear is ok but as soon as it hits 2nd my rpm shoots up to about 5000 if I don't take my foot off the gas. I hear the wrheeeeeeee of it spinning so hard and the car slows down. I'm sitting in Aamco right now getting a free diagnostic on it.

One thing that's been particularly scary is discovering how many transmission problems beetles have. Just google it and you won't find any shortage of websites about it. There's a group of people trying to get enough complaints together to get a lawsuit out too. The guy here at Aamco told me he's seen a lot of beetles come in, so it's a known problem.

I'm going to hope i don't need the whole thing rebuilt. If so, my walking shoes will get a serious workout and I'll be sending my complaints in to VW and NTSC.

[Smileybug]

Is it the 4-speed auto? If so, those are known to be pretty much junk after 100k. Same thing across the board with other VWs. VWs autos have gotten pretty bad since the early/mid-90's. They actually put good autos in their older vehicles...my FIL had a '91 Vanagon with 260k on the original auto, leaking trans fluid for over 60k too. Still ran like a champ. Whenever it didn't, you add more fluid and it was good to go.

How many miles on the car? Are you at all opposed to a 5-speed? If it needs to be rebuilt, its far cheaper to get a 5-speed swap done rather than putting another auto in it. And it will last a lot longer.

[virgo80]

It is a 4 speed. It's only got 56k miles on it, which is really sad. I found out that the transmission needs to be rebuilt and I can get that done for about $4k with Aamco (vs $6k with VW). That really makes me laugh.

I don't know how to drive stick and am not sure how much it'd cost to have one put in. Hell at this point, it may just be cheaper to buy another car. What's worse is that I still have one more year of payments until I own it.

I may be joining all those folks who are trying to start up the lawsuit. Having to get the transmission rebuilt at 56k miles is just ridiculous.

[Smileybug]

A user on here (MichelleRoze) just did a manual swap in her car for $2500. I'd go for it. Its easy to learn stick, and it will be cheaper to own and maintain.

[MichelleRoze]

Yup, just had my TDI swapped to a 5-spd. BEST DECISION EVER!!! If you love the car, still owe on it. It's totally worth it to get it swapped out. I"m not kidding you. I was soooooo opposed to getting a 5spd when I bought the car. Then I read all the failures for the 01M automatic transmissions, ranging from 50K to 150K. Which is sad yes, will VW do anything about it? NO. The key to an automatic, even though all techs will tell you its "lifetime fluid" change it EVERY 40K!!

I talked to JimBote on the TDIclub and he swapped my automatic into a 5spd. His starting price is $2500, parts AND labor. Now if you want a better clutch, less mileage transmission the cost will go up a little of course. But really it's worth it. I spent two weeks learning my car. It was very frustrating to me because I love my car and I hated not knowing how to drive it anymore. But with enough practice, like I said it took me two weeks it takes others longer or less just depends, you'll be a pro!! Seriously, I love my car so much more now has a 5 spd than I EVER did as an automatic!! Plus the manual transmissions are (for the most part) bullet proof. They can take a lot more punishment than the automatics do.

I hate to say it, but if you've got one more year to pay on it, and your automatic is dead....you're going to have an expensive lawn sculpture. Unless what you owe is WAY less than what the car is worth....with a dead transmission... And really $5k for an automatic....from VW....is just the part....it's about $7k after taxes and labor. And you DO NOT want a rebuilt or "lightly used" automatic....or you'll be back in the same position in 50k miles...

..it sucks...but it's the truth...