Drove through creek...Now no 4th on 2001 automatic!?

[rmi]

Hey all:

My wife and I took our 2001 GLS NB automatic on a camping trip in the mountains. The campground had a shallow creek (about 6-8 inches deep) that we drove through about 4 times to and from our campsite.

Coincidentally (or not...you tell me), when leaving the campground this morning, we had transmission problems. I first noticed that the car was shifting too late per the driving conditions. Minutes later, I realized that I had lost 4th gear. The car would just not shift into 4th at any RPM (though I didn't take it up to redline). All of the other gear changes seemed off too.

We made it home (cruising for 1.5 hours at 4,000 rpm going 58!), but now I am trying to diagnose the problem.

Where do I even start? I would prefer not to take the car into a shop unless absolutely necessary. I have enjoyed some of my recent mechanical DIY.

Thanks- Ryan

PS- I recently "inherited" this car from my mom. It has about 93,000 miles on it. Her records didn't show any transmission service/repair and she never said she had any work done.

[DZLBUG]

Connectors are probably wet. Disconnect the ones from the transmission, clean them out, then spray them with WD-40 and reconnect.

And...don't drive through standing water like that again.

A transmission fluid and filter change would be a good idea as well. Make sure you use the right VW spec fluid and proper procedure.

[jason m]

service the trans and remove teh connectors from trans, clean dry and install dielecric grease to keep any corrosion from starting. Oh yeah, stay out of high water.

[rmi]

Thanks for the quick replies!

So, driving through the water definitely did this?

Also, while I work on my motorcycle regularly, I am only a noob mechanic when it comes to my cars. Where are these transmission connections? Are there any good diagrams and/or tutorials on this website? Is buying the Bentley manual really the way to go? I have the Haynes manual, but this doesn't seem to cut it for most of the questions I have had.

Thanks again- Ryan

PS- Forgot to note this information above, but the check engine light came on as soon as I started having the shifting problem.

[Smileybug]

I would be shocked if the water isn't what caused this. NBs only have 4 inches of ground clearance from the factory, so driving through 6-8 inches of water will be putting a lot of components in the engine bay under the water. Definitely try what the others have suggested.

Have you gotten the car scanned for codes since the CEL came on?

[jason m]

the check engien light comes on anytime you have a sensor that is not reading within normal params. Not sure about the connections. get underneath and look. be careful pulling off as they get brittle. dry them and install dielectric grease.

[rmi]

So, what connections am I cleaning exactly?

I haven't gotten the car scanned yet, and have never done this. Will the scanners at an auto parts store be sufficient? Or do I need a specialty scanner that only a VW mechanic would have?

Thanks again and sorry for all the ignorance. It's hard to want to do the work, but not have the faintest idea on where to begin.

Ryan

Originally Posted by Smileybug

Definitely try what the others have suggested.

Have you gotten the car scanned for codes since the CEL came on?

[Smileybug]

You can go to an auto parts store to get the car scanned...they should do it for free.

[DZLBUG]

A generic OBDII scanner is not likely to get the whole story on any transmission related codes. VW's proprietary codes are much more extensive and specific than OBDII and you sometimes lose a lot in translation.

The connections you need to clean and spray with WD-40 (NOT dielectric grease) are on the transmission. You'll probably have to remove the airbox to get down in there and see what you are doing. There is a big square plug (the most likely culprit) and a smaller round plug. Disconnect and spray liberally with WD-40. It will displace any water that is in there (WD = water displacement) and will help keep moisture out.

[rmi]

OK, so I got the codes using a diagnostic tool:

PO722-transmission output speed sensor

P0722-transmission output speed sensor-pending

P0730- incorrect gear ratio- pending

So, I guess I am going to lift the bug this weekend and take a look at the circuitry under the car.

I forgot to mention this in previous posts: I drove through the creek 4 times. One of these times was at a higher rate of speed and there was definitely more splashing of water, which could have gotten up further in the engine.

Man, I guess I am totally clueless about vehicle "offroading." I knew I didn't want to get water in the exhaust, but didn't realize that a little creek could reek such havoc on the tranny! I was proud of the little bug in its rally car glory, but now it is paying the price!

Ryan

[rmi]

Thanks for those specifics, DZLBUG! That is just the type of info that will make this process easier for me!

Ryan

Originally Posted by DZLBUG

A generic OBDII scanner is not likely to get the whole story on any transmission related codes. VW's proprietary codes are much more extensive and specific than OBDII and you sometimes lose a lot in translation.

The connections you need to clean and spray with WD-40 (NOT dielectric grease) are on the transmission. You'll probably have to remove the airbox to get down in there and see what you are doing. There is a big square plug (the most likely culprit) and a smaller round plug. Disconnect and spray liberally with WD-40. It will displace any water that is in there (WD = water displacement) and will help keep moisture out.

[70autostick]

Hahaha, I've done the same, and I'm 2" lower than you I bet.

I was lucky to have no issues, but I changed the fluid and filter for good measure.

[rmi]

Since I have been getting home from work in the dark every day this week, I plan to take a look at the Bug this weekend in the daylight. Stinks to have an undriveable vehicle just sitting in the driveway, though. Good thing I ride a motorcycle daily, my wife rides her bicycle, AND we still have the GTI for rainy days!

I appreciate everyone's help and advice and promise to update the thread once I take a look this weekend!

I sure hope I can get it fixed! My wife and I are planning on using both our cars over Thanksgiving to hike the Chattooga River Trail (and leaving a car on each end of the 40 mile trail).

Ryan

Originally Posted by DZLBUG

A generic OBDII scanner is not likely to get the whole story on any transmission related codes. VW's proprietary codes are much more extensive and specific than OBDII and you sometimes lose a lot in translation.

The connections you need to clean and spray with WD-40 (NOT dielectric grease) are on the transmission. You'll probably have to remove the airbox to get down in there and see what you are doing. There is a big square plug (the most likely culprit) and a smaller round plug. Disconnect and spray liberally with WD-40. It will displace any water that is in there (WD = water displacement) and will help keep moisture out.

[rmi]

Are these the connections you were talking about? If so, do you know how to unplug them?





Ryan

Originally Posted by DZLBUG

A generic OBDII scanner is not likely to get the whole story on any transmission related codes. VW's proprietary codes are much more extensive and specific than OBDII and you sometimes lose a lot in translation.

The connections you need to clean and spray with WD-40 (NOT dielectric grease) are on the transmission. You'll probably have to remove the airbox to get down in there and see what you are doing. There is a big square plug (the most likely culprit) and a smaller round plug. Disconnect and spray liberally with WD-40. It will displace any water that is in there (WD = water displacement) and will help keep moisture out.

[rmi]

I can't figure out how to "unplug" some of the connections. These were pretty intuitive (you just squeeze the lever):



However, some of the other transmission connections were baffling me! How do I "unplug" these without breaking any of the plastic?:



Thanks! Ryan

[DZLBUG]

Originally Posted by rmi

Are these the connections you were talking about? If so, do you know how to unplug them?

Yes, those are two of the connections. I don't recall exactly how to disconnect the round one. The other one, you squeeze the tab. Sometimes you have to push down on the connector, then squeeze the tab to remove.

Originally Posted by rmi

I can't figure out how to "unplug" some of the connections. These were pretty intuitive (you just squeeze the lever):



However, some of the other transmission connections were baffling me! How do I "unplug" these without breaking any of the plastic?:

Umm...those are not transmission connectors. The top one is your ambient air temp sensor (for the display) and the bottom pic are connections for the radiator fans.

The other plug (and the most likely culprit) you are looking for is on the transmission itself. You will need to remove the airbox or get underneath the car to access it. Its a big square plug, labeled F125 in the pic below.

[rmi]

DZLBUG:

Thanks so much for the quick reply. I have been getting frustrated and sore crawling around under a (slightly) lifted front end. I just about threw in the towel this morning because I realized I had no clue what I was doing. The Bug's engine is amazingly compact! I feel like I have boatloads more room under the hood of my GTI....As you can tell, though, I am a NOOB mechanic!

Know of any good visuals or how-to's for removing the airbox? Does the Bentley service manual have these diagrams?

Also, I suppose I should check that transmission plug before worrying about the speed sensor, right?

Thanks again. Maybe I won't be taking the car to a mechanic on Monday!

Ryan

Originally Posted by DZLBUG

Yes, those are two of the connections. I don't recall exactly how to disconnect the round one. The other one, you squeeze the tab. Sometimes you have to push down on the connector, then squeeze the tab to remove.





Umm...those are not transmission connectors. The top one is your ambient air temp sensor (for the display) and the bottom pic are connections for the radiator fans.

The other plug (and the most likely culprit) you are looking for is on the transmission itself. You will need to remove the airbox or get underneath the car to access it. Its a big square plug, labeled F125 in the pic below.

[DZLBUG]

Only a couple 10mm bolts hold the airbox on. IIRC, one on the front between it and the battery, and the other one on the back corner near the fender/cowl. You'll need at least a 6" extension, maybe longer. Don't open the airbox itself, once it has been opened the filter needs to be replaced as it does not reseal. There is a vacuum line on the bottom of the airbox that will need to be disconnected. Focus on that big plug and the round solenoid connector, they are the most likely culprits.

[rmi]

Hmmmm...didn't know that the airbox was sealed. I'll have to get a new filter because I opened it before I read your reply.

I sprayed the solenoid and the square plug with WD40, then reassembled everything. No luck.....

My wife and I were planning to use this car over Thanksgiving break. That may mean to the shop for it, unfortunately.

Ryan

Originally Posted by DZLBUG

Only a couple 10mm bolts hold the airbox on. IIRC, one on the front between it and the battery, and the other one on the back corner near the fender/cowl. You'll need at least a 6" extension, maybe longer. Don't open the airbox itself, once it has been opened the filter needs to be replaced as it does not reseal. There is a vacuum line on the bottom of the airbox that will need to be disconnected. Focus on that big plug and the round solenoid connector, they are the most likely culprits.

[rmi]

Well, I took the car into a mechanic this morning.

On the way there, I noticed that the car WILL shift into 4th gear, but you need to rev the engine up to 4,000 rpm before it will shift (which is the same with all the gears).

I wonder if I should have waited to take it in and just replaced the speed sensor? How could the speed sensor have got messed up from shallow water, though?!

Anyway, I'll let you all know what the final diagnosis is! Thanks again for all the help. Given more time, I feel like I could have figured this thing out.

Ryan