2001 C5 vert automatic: Took it out of the garage to take to work so I could stretch her legs a little. Driving down the freeway at about 70 and then when I give it gas it revs but will not go faster. I pull over and reverse works. When I let off of the gas while moving the RPMs drop to idle speed. I limped to work. May try to limp it home but I suspect my trans is in for a rebuild or I may just get a rebuilt one. SUCKS!

 

What does your transmission fluid look like and smell like? Is it burnt?

 

Sorry about your transmission, so yes you can have reverse and not forward, because the reverse clutch disc's are good as opposed to the drive/forward clutch pack disc's.

 

Don’t know. It was just changed about 3-4K ago. But I assume it is probably burnt now.

 

It could be that the trans fluid is low If it was not changed according to the FSM. The trans HAS to be refilled after starting the engine with trans in park. Here is the procedure:

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. Keep a pan under the open fill hole, fluid will dribble out as the transmission warms. When transmission temperature rises to 122 F, put the plug in the fill/ Check level hole.

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.

 

Well i had it towed home. So for giggles i thought i would drive it around the neighborhood. It shifted fine. I think i will have the tranny shop check the level. But at this point i dont trust the trans not to leave me stranded.

 

Well... if the level was low, gets filled, and then works properly.. your probably ok. If it was full though... not good

 

Good info