Scatbob

Hi.... I have a 97 C5 automatic with around 57k miles on it. recently when driving around 40mph, the car will surge and rpms will fluctuate... almost like its slipping in and out of gear. When that happens, if I accelerate the rpms go up but doesn't really put power to the wheels.
I also notice when taking off from a stop, the engine will rev and car will go but really doesn;t seem like its putting full power to the wheels... other times it launches normal.
I also notice that transmission temp runs in low to mid 200's at times.. is that normal?
I don't know of any shops near me that specialize in vettes. Just wondering if this sounds like something serious or if changing trans fluid would help.

Thanks in advance!

1wholikescars

The first thing to check is the fluid.
1- is it filled correctly? Might be leaking
2-What color is the fluid? Nice and red or burnt smelling and dark?

You could change the fluid to see if it helps.

Odds are , if the fluid is not low, there are clutches that need to be rebuilt. If you can get it out yourself, you will save some on the labor if brought to the shop.

Scatbob

Thanks for the reply!... now I just need to figure out a way to squeez under the thing to check the fluid I was thinking about changing the fluid anyway... not a lot of miles but 25 years?? guess its time

jim993

There is a special way to check fluid. If you don't do it right it will make things worse.

Changing the fluid and filter on a C5 A4 is fairly easy, but there are specific procedures to insure that the fluid level is correct after the change:

After replacing the filter and bolting the pan back up, fill with new fluid to the drain/ check level plug hole. Then start the engine and leave it running with the transmission in PARK.

Immediately add fluid through the drain/ check level plug hole until fluid flows out of the plug hole. It may take as much as another couple of quarts.

With your foot holding the brakes, cycle the transmission through all the gears, then back to PARK.

Go back underneath and make sure that fluid is still dribbling out of the fill/ check level plug hole. You might have to add some.

With the engine still running and the transmission in PARK, monitor transmission temperature on the DIC. When transmission temperature rises to 122 F, put the plug in the fill/ Check level hole. Keep a pan under the hole, fluid will dribble out as the transmission temperature rises.

Do NOT shut the engine down until the plug is in the fill/ check level hole. If you do, HOT fluid will gush out and the transmission will be low on fluid.

I recommend full synthetic fluid.

Keep in mind that the above procedure drains about half the fluid in the A4. The other half is in the torque converter and other works.

You will need a small hand pump to pump the fluid into the fill/ check level hole.

grinder11

I agree. I've done mine. BUT-As jim993 posted, DO NOT, REPEAT, DO NOT, SHUT THE ENGINE OFF WHILE THE DRAIN PLUG IS OUT!!!! Please don't ask how I know

Vetteman Jack

Moved to C5 Tech.

Autotragic

Check the servos on the side of the transmission they are real pain in the butt to do with the transmission in but it can be done. But it is probably time to service the transmission as well so I would go ahead and do that.

Johncastle

I have a very similar issue. My '17 A8 does NOT seem to like 2nd gear. On stop n go traffic, nearing a stop the downshift goes down to 3 and is stuck on the regardless of how slow you are going. Once u go to a complete stop it goes from 3 to 1, and if you tine it just right around a "rolling" stop or or stop n go traffic, it jerks when goingon 1st again. After gear 3, high rev/speeds it works brautifulky. Just that city driving niusance between 3>1