Transmission oil change

[vladxou]

Hello,

I own a 2000 New Beetle 2.0L gas with automatic transmission. During last months I started experiencing some transmission problems which were described here many times: when pressing the acceleration pedal, I hear and see the engine RPM growing but the first gear gets turned on a bit late. In general this is okay but it causes problems when stopping uphill. So I have to use the handbrake and other old good driving skills.
My mechanic said that there can be many reasons for such problems: old transmission oil, speed sensor or TCU. He recommended to begin with changing the transmission fluid but he said that sometimes the gears can be jammed and this may lead to more expensive procedures.
Any ideas, should I agree to change the transmission fluid? Did anyone experience the jammed gears problems?

Regards,
Vlad

[Smileybug]

Sounds like your transmission is slipping, which isn't good.

I'd start with changing out the fluid, but I wouldn't be surprised if your trans is on its way out. How many miles on the car?

[vladxou]

Originally Posted by Smileybug

How many miles on the car?

97k

[vladxou]

Yesterday in the evening I reset the TCU following the procedures described here several times. The engine was hot, so I'm not sure if that was reset what helped but in the evening the gears were shifted well. I also checked the stuff stopping/starting uphill. Will doublecheck everything today with cold engine.

[IndyTom]

I would still change the Filter and Transmission fluid. Those O1M transmissions are known for Valve Body and transmission failures. They don't just fix themselves by resetting the ECM/TCM
Changing the fluid may help it last a little longer.

[vladxou]

Yeah, I will change the fluid for sure. Regarding the reset, IMHO it started driving better (when I'me behind the wheel) But my wife still reports the car jerking when starting moving uphill.
Strange thing is that it's okay when one presses the pedal moderately. Just like the manual shift tranny
To be serious, it actually feels like a convertor issue: the engine increases RPMs but impeller feels to catch them lately.

[IndyTom]

It's more than likely a Valve Body issue. Not being able to supply sufficient line pressure to the internal clutch disks.
The O1M 4 Speed Automatic is probably the worst transmission VW ever put in a car. I am happy for you it lasted this long.
Changing the fluid may help especially if it has never been done before.

Good Luck!

[calisto6]

Got a 2005 New Beetle (2.0 L, AT) and am having similar problems as discribed in the ongoing string, got two questions, how do I determine what type of AT that I have from the VIN (believe there are 3 or 4 different AT's used in 2005)- or where on the car, other than (for now) crawling under the car and looking on the transmission, that I can locate the code? Other question, will the TCU/M reset procedure discussed here (w/o using Vagcom) work on a 2005? I plan to change the tranny oil first as I'm sure it's never been done, then try to reset TCU/M. Thanks in advance for assistance!