iC5

I have an 01 A6 4.2L that lost reverse last year (all forward gears worked fine). It also, shortly after, developed shuddering and torque slam during acceleration as well as through the shift points and started screeching and whining. I have recently rebuilt my transmission using a ZF banner rebuild kit with the F clutch seal and have also had my TC rebuilt. I still only have partial reverse and the shuddering along with all the same symptoms. It will start out driving fine but develop all the symptoms within 15 minutes of driving. I did not replace the valve body which I now assume may be the culprit, so I have ordered a rebuilt VB from a specialist in CA. Can anyone shed a little light here? Is there anything else I may have overlooked? Much appreciated....Dan

iC5

Everyone seems to talk about the reverse clutch, the drum and the TC. As I previously mentioned, I recently rebuilt the whole tranny (01 A6 4.2) with an updated ZF banner kit with updated reverse F clutch, inspected the drum and it was perfectly fine. I replaced the tranny harness and inspected the planets and all the hard parts and they were fine too. I sent out the torque converter to a very reputable rebuilder and they bench tested it in front of me when I went to pick it up. I still after all that came up with the same symtoms of partial reverse. No one ever seems to mention the valve body which contains the integrated solenoid pack comprised of 5 solenoids (3 shift, 1 pump and 1 TC circuit. Many folks replace the TC without ever checking the valve body. It controls the TC and if it is failing so will the TC which may or may not throw a code. This will definitely mess up your reverse. The springs in the VB will weaken over time and a loose piston bore will create these symptoms as well. It's an aluminum VB so... One of the tranny rebuilders my shop uses here in Miami specializes in rebuilding ZF trannies, even the newer 7 and 8 speed variants and I send in BMW's, Mercedes and Audi for complete tranny overhauling. Guess what they replace the most in all 3 marques??? The valve bodies! They are notoriously known for failing in ZF 5HP19,20,22,24 and 24A on AWD models. A valve body takes all of an hour to install...something to consider before shelling out $4K on a rebuild. Tranny shops won't always explain this because there's much better money in full out rebuilds....but they know how to test VB's and that in many cases, it is the likely culprit. This turned out to be my problem but may not necessarily be everyone elses. However, it should be considered before abandoning all hope.

Mr. Timewise

Are you saying that the valve body can be replaced with the transmission still in the car? That is, that you can remove the pan and the valve body is simply extracted from below?

iC5

Hi, yes that is absolutely correct. You let the car cool down, drop the pan and even save the oil if it is clean. There are usually 12 or so bolts securing the valve body to the tranny. Remove and replace with rebuilt or new VB. Installation is reverse of removal. Approximate time from start to finish is max. 2 hours. Best, Dan

upallnight

Did you check the neutral safety switch also known as the Multifunction switch?

JAMES77257

I have the same issue with my 2001 Allroad, but only when warmed up. When it's cold, reverse works as intended. Any insight on this?

skideeppow

also have same problem.

serge06

Hi,
I am considering buying an 02-04 Allroad with 60-70K miles and noticed all these threads. No one mentions how many miles are on these cars with problems for some reason. Are the problems occurring even on cars with less than 100K miles?
Thanks

serge06

Hi,
I am considering buying an 02-04 Allroad with 60-70K miles and noticed all these threads. No one mentions how many miles are on these cars with problems for some reason. Are the problems occurring even on cars with less than 100K miles?
Thanks

jhart2.7t

I have a 02 with about 106,000 miles. Original tranny, torque converter and oem factory filled fluid. I have ZERO problems to report with shifting or reverse. Like others have said.. sometimes there is a bad day at the factory. Some will last the life of the car, and others will go bad early.

I have gone to several Audi dealers, Audi indys, and have even called Audi regarding changing the fluid. I know there isn't a fluid out there that will last the life of the car, but each one of them said not to change it. The clutch material wears down and mixes with the fluid. Apparently with new fluid at these "high" miles there won't be enough friction material left, and the tranny somehow goes to ****. I will go by what I've been told and will spend $3,500 for a rebuilt when that time comes.