My dentist owns a 95 A6 wagon with 135K on the clock. Recently he can't get it into reverse but then at times it's fine. Anyone have any ideas where his mechanic should start checking ? He got a quote of $3500 to have the transaxle rebuilt so I guess sometimes it doesn't pay to be a doctor <grin>. Thank you ~ John Buchtenkirch

 

I'd do a fluid and filter service (bet it's never been done) and then pull the tranny codes.

 

Agreed, a fluid and filter service probably has not been done, or if it happened to be done at the proper interval, it will still be up for service soon with 135 on the clock.

Secondly, I *highly doubt* the transaxle needs rebuilt. 135k is NOTHING. Times that by 3 and then maybe you'd be in dyre need of a $3500 job. Not for this baby.


If you've owned the car for 40-60k and haven't changed or drained the transmission oil, I would recommend that you drain all the fluid. If you change the oil, DO NOT POWERFLUSH IT AS YOU MAY DISLODGE METAL SHAVINGS WHICH WILL THEN BECOME RE-LODGED IN YOUR GEARS, DISABLING YOUR TRANSMISISON. Instead, drain your current fluid, then add more gearoil and let it drain through, just as you would during an engine oil change. This way, you can let all the gunk drain out rather than agitating the metal interior of the transmission.

IIRC this is a 3-step process, draining all the oil out, putting a bottle through and letting that drain out, putting the plug back, adding fresh fluid, driving 3000 miles, change oil, and repeat process - drain transmission fluid, add bottle, plug and top off. After another 3k, repeat, and upon reaching 9k, repeat again.

The point of this process is to slowly integrate the new fluid with your transmission, rather than having everything bled, then power-flushed out. Reason being, due to the age of these cars and mileage on their engines/trannys, metal shavings/deposits can accumulate and upon a single flushing, can dislodge these shavings and get them mixed about in your gears. Not a good combination.

The initial change of the gearoil and filter should help your problem. Again just make sure you just let it drain itself naturally and you don't use any force in getting the fluid out. This method is very reliable, however if you don't do it correctly there is great potential to damage your transmission.

 

USA A6 wagons only came that way in 95 as far as I know. ~ John Buchtenkirch

 

I would get the car up on ramps and inspect the mult-function switch on the driver's side of the transmission, near the trans mount. The shift cable moves the arm on the top of the switch assembly. Check for freedom of movement, rust and corrosion on the exposed cable, etc.

Also, check down in the guts of the shifter assembly. You might find coins down there, or some previous owner spilled a cup of coffee or a soda, etc.

 

The problem is intermittent, he still drives the car although sparingly and it still goes into reverse sometimes so your diagnosis seems very likely. The transaxle service is likely a must-do too but I don't know the car's history. ~ John Buchtenkirch