A4 Slippage?
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A4 Slippage?
Hi Guys,
98 A4 with 70K on the dial. I started noticing what feels like slippage the other day when shifting from 1st to 2nd...rpms climbed, but car was not accelerating. I've been keeping a close eye on this and have determined it is only occurring sporadically when the tranny temp is less than 100F - when the temp is above this, it doesn't happen. Some months back I was having some work done (non-tranny) at the local dealership and asked them to confirm the correct fluid level in the trans for me - they apparently did this and said all was well. Thoughts?
98 A4 with 70K on the dial. I started noticing what feels like slippage the other day when shifting from 1st to 2nd...rpms climbed, but car was not accelerating. I've been keeping a close eye on this and have determined it is only occurring sporadically when the tranny temp is less than 100F - when the temp is above this, it doesn't happen. Some months back I was having some work done (non-tranny) at the local dealership and asked them to confirm the correct fluid level in the trans for me - they apparently did this and said all was well. Thoughts?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Puyallup Washington
Check your fluid level yourself. Do not depend on others to do things like that for you. Read your owners manual or factory service manual on how to do it correctly. If the level is correct you may want to start saving for a tranny rebuild.
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Thanks. I don't have a service manual, but my understanding re checking tranny level is to have car off floor, flat and level (safely), be sure tranny is at operating temperature (85+ degrees) and to take the drain plug out of the side of the pan. At operating temperature, the fluid should be to the top of the drain fill plug. Sound 'bout right?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
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From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
Always makes me mad when you take it in for one thing and something else happens---makes it seem like they did something on purpose !!!
Yes check the fluid level when it's warmed up----
ALSO drive it around town on a wramer day for an hour and watch the trans temp--and report back---anything over 210* for an extended time would make me worry--
How long since the trans fluid was changed ??? It may be old and not viscous enough anymore in cold wether
Typically---If a major problem were to occur it most always shows up on the 3-4 shift---It is the weakest part of a 4l60E
Yes check the fluid level when it's warmed up----
ALSO drive it around town on a wramer day for an hour and watch the trans temp--and report back---anything over 210* for an extended time would make me worry--
How long since the trans fluid was changed ??? It may be old and not viscous enough anymore in cold wether
Typically---If a major problem were to occur it most always shows up on the 3-4 shift---It is the weakest part of a 4l60E
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Always makes me mad when you take it in for one thing and something else happens---makes it seem like they did something on purpose !!!
Yes check the fluid level when it's warmed up----
ALSO drive it around town on a wramer day for an hour and watch the trans temp--and report back---anything over 210* for an extended time would make me worry--
How long since the trans fluid was changed ??? It may be old and not viscous enough anymore in cold wether
Typically---If a major problem were to occur it most always shows up on the 3-4 shift---It is the weakest part of a 4l60E
Yes check the fluid level when it's warmed up----
ALSO drive it around town on a wramer day for an hour and watch the trans temp--and report back---anything over 210* for an extended time would make me worry--
How long since the trans fluid was changed ??? It may be old and not viscous enough anymore in cold wether
Typically---If a major problem were to occur it most always shows up on the 3-4 shift---It is the weakest part of a 4l60E
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Update. Lifted the car and let the tranny fluid warm as specified in this post: "http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-tech/371011-c5-a4-transmission-fluid-check-and-fill.html"
When I took off the tranny drain/fill plug I got zero fluid, which was a little surprising. I then slowly began adding fluid until it very clearly began to overfill. It took approximately 1.25 quarts to get to this point
!!! Thanks local stealership. Once it stabilized, I closed it all up and dropped it to the ground. I'm letting the fluid cool down before I take it out for a drive and check to see if the symptom persists. Fingers crossed that this takes care of it and will update when done
When I took off the tranny drain/fill plug I got zero fluid, which was a little surprising. I then slowly began adding fluid until it very clearly began to overfill. It took approximately 1.25 quarts to get to this point
!!! Thanks local stealership. Once it stabilized, I closed it all up and dropped it to the ground. I'm letting the fluid cool down before I take it out for a drive and check to see if the symptom persists. Fingers crossed that this takes care of it and will update when done
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Took the car out and had no slippage at all 
I'm guessing that the initial slippage I was feeling was going away after the fluid heated up because of fluid expansion, but that's just a guess. My local stealership will be getting a call tomorrow with a heads-up that they've got a mechanic who doesn't know the correct fluid level check procedure on these cars. I'm only hoping now there wasn't any significant damage done that might impact longevity.
I'm guessing that the initial slippage I was feeling was going away after the fluid heated up because of fluid expansion, but that's just a guess. My local stealership will be getting a call tomorrow with a heads-up that they've got a mechanic who doesn't know the correct fluid level check procedure on these cars. I'm only hoping now there wasn't any significant damage done that might impact longevity.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 266
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From: Mobile Al
If it continues I'd suggest some of the slip stop products to see if there is a fluid blockage in one of the valves. If that doesn't work then start looking for a trans man.
These products will lossen foreign matter and help it pass into the filter.
Happy Motoring
These products will lossen foreign matter and help it pass into the filter.
Happy Motoring
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: This is not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues; Sixto Diaz Rodriguez
Somewhat of the same problem here. Yesterday I noticed, all of a sudden, I wasn't shifting from 1st to 2nd (in OD, or 3rd), unless I let up off the gas and pressed back down, than, it won't shift any further into 3rd, or 4th, I was running 70mph at 3000rpms. Tranny fluid reached, probably 214* when I got on the interstate it came back down to maybe 195/197*. 2000 A4, 85k miles, changed tranny fluid maybe 20k miles ago, Royal Purple. Everything was fine till yesterday. The car sat up for about a month without me starting, or moving it. If there's no tranny fluid on the ground, how can it be short fluid?
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Well, to close out my saga...turned out to be the 2nd gear clutch pack, reaction sunshell stripped, and check ball seat wear. The check ball seat for 1-2 was worn to the point that the ball was getting stuck in the seat and the reaction sunshell gears were essentially gone (just small ripples). Frankly, I'm surprised the car would move at all, let alone run like it did. Just glad I didn't get stranded somewhere.
Tranny pulled, rebuilt and going back in this week.
Tranny pulled, rebuilt and going back in this week.
Le Mans Master
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Always makes me mad when you take it in for one thing and something else happens---makes it seem like they did something on purpose !!!
Yes check the fluid level when it's warmed up----
ALSO drive it around town on a wramer day for an hour and watch the trans temp--and report back---anything over 210* for an extended time would make me worry--
How long since the trans fluid was changed ??? It may be old and not viscous enough anymore in cold wether
Typically---If a major problem were to occur it most always shows up on the 3-4 shift---It is the weakest part of a 4l60E
Yes check the fluid level when it's warmed up----
ALSO drive it around town on a wramer day for an hour and watch the trans temp--and report back---anything over 210* for an extended time would make me worry--
How long since the trans fluid was changed ??? It may be old and not viscous enough anymore in cold wether
Typically---If a major problem were to occur it most always shows up on the 3-4 shift---It is the weakest part of a 4l60E
has a weakness.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,480
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From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
I would check with one of the forum vendors and see what they can do for you. If you have any plans for more power, you may as well beef it up while its out.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
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From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
...turned out to be the 2nd gear clutch pack, reaction sunshell stripped, and check ball seat wear. The check ball seat for 1-2 was worn to the point that the ball was getting stuck in the seat and the reaction sunshell gears were essentially gone (just small ripples).
Tranny pulled, rebuilt and going back in this week.
Tranny pulled, rebuilt and going back in this week.
It would be wise to keep a close eye on the fluid level after the rebuild.
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Update.
Tranny rebuilt, installed, and is not a happy camper.
Symptoms: Shift from 1-2 is a "lunge" and under hard acceleration (not WOT) hits the rev limiter chip before shifting to 2nd. Will not shift into drive or OD. Does have reverse. The MLPS (neutral safety switch) was damaged during transport, but looked okay from the outside. Might be the MLPS or a shift noid...strongly suspect something electrical in nature given symptoms - would be slippage or grinding if mechanical...I think.
Tranny rebuilt, installed, and is not a happy camper.
Symptoms: Shift from 1-2 is a "lunge" and under hard acceleration (not WOT) hits the rev limiter chip before shifting to 2nd. Will not shift into drive or OD. Does have reverse. The MLPS (neutral safety switch) was damaged during transport, but looked okay from the outside. Might be the MLPS or a shift noid...strongly suspect something electrical in nature given symptoms - would be slippage or grinding if mechanical...I think.