gained some knowledge, more specific about transmission problem

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Feb 15, 2012 | 05:40 AM

jva497

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gained some knowledge, more specific about transmission problem

ok so my car is in Limp more from what i read. my PRND123 is backlit red. i can read them all but no indication on which im in. drive works in gears 1-3 that i can tell. now what scares me is my car will not go into R. so i can only go forward. I am about due for an oil change, i read some this on low levels of fluids my do this. it has been rainy her in NC, but nothing to crazy. I spoke with audi they mentioned the transmission contol moduel??est price 900-1100(rough guess from the service guy i spoke with). my car is a 97 audi a4 160xxx 1.8t FWD. i also about 4 months ago had my 150xxx service from audi, they said all was well then. can your trans just go bad on you with out any warning? thanks for the help

Feb 15, 2012 | 06:31 AM

jva497

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i just checked my oil, im very very low on oil. could this be causing this problem? has anyone had this problem? is reseting codes easy? could this be a simple cheap fix? or informing me of a biger problem?

Feb 15, 2012 | 06:39 AM

GTA_Driver

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From: Toronto

If you checked your transmission oil (not engine) and it is low, definitely refill it properly.

How did you check it?

Feb 15, 2012 | 06:39 AM

turbo510

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From: Fallbrook, CA

Engine oil low? Wouldn't cause transmission trouble.

Feb 15, 2012 | 06:42 AM

GTA_Driver

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From: Toronto

Just saw that you have another thread open, both of them at the top. The first thread suggested to check for wetness around TCU, the dealer said the same thing.

The information is virtually identical, just stick to the same thread and don't open new ones for each new idea you get about the same problem.

Feb 15, 2012 | 06:44 AM

4Driver4

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Why the new post? Have you check the TCU to make sure it's dry? Have you pulled codes?

How did you check the oil...assuming you must have filled it as well?

Feb 15, 2012 | 06:51 AM

ezveedub

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Quote:

Originally Posted by jva497

The reverse PRND321 display means there is a DTC or fault detected by the TCM. No reverse usually is a broken D/G drum, but I'm not 100% sure on this early model, but I assume its a ZF transmission. There are signs when a transmission is having issues, but some people do not notice anything until it quits completely IMO. The reverse AFAIK operates manually off pressure, so if you have no reverse, something mechanically has failed in the transmission and a TCM is not likely going to fix it. You need to find out what DTC is stored in the TCM first though so you know whats actually going on.