I have a '97 A8 with 177,000 miles and two weeks ago I had my first transmission symptom and catastrophic failure at the same time. The car did a single 'hunt' then went into limp mode while driving flat at 45 mph. If I start the car it goes into limp mode as soon as I put it in drive. I had it towed to the stealer here in Wilkes Barre Pa and the codes and measuring blocks indicated the transmission input speed sensor and internal transmission wire harness. When the transmission was opened the fluid was clean and there was no metal on the magnets. This tells me the problem is electronic not mechanical. Audi changed the sensor and put it back together and the exact same symptoms. The second guess was to change the Transmission Control Module. This was ordered and replaced and again the symptoms were unchanged. The mechanic tells me that when the car is on the lift it will go through the gears but when on the ground it instantly goes into fault mode because it loses the input speed signal. I believe it works in reverse.

When AOA was informed these ideas tried so far didn't work they informed me today I need a new transmission (4000+) however they won't guarentee it will fix the problem and I don't suspect my mechanic believes it will either.

I really am stuck because I'm looking at an expense bordering on 50% of the cars value with no guarantee. I have maintained this car with the intention of keeping it forever and spare no expense so I'm willing to spend a reasonable sum to get over this problem. I just don't want to spend $2000 to $5000 and be no better off than I am right now.

problem 1: I towed the car to the dealer, they probably spent close to $2000, now I need to have it towed to a second opinion (I'm thinking of an independent transmission shop). Do you think I can negotiate the charge to a lower number since they couldn't fix it? How much do you think I should be reasonably be expected to pay on tow it in tow it out aborted repair such as this?

Problem 2: If I was to bail out of this car does it have any resale in the current condition?

Problem 3: If AOA can't suggest anything better than a new transmission is it worth my while to take it to a transmission speciality place and have them rediagnose the problem from scratch and replace these expensive items again?

Thanks in advance.
Joe Oliver

 

It works on the lift because there is no torque required to get the wheels turning, as soon as it gets on the ground, it slips, gives the improper gear ratio code (if that's what you have).

If that's the case, it needs a rebuild.

Picture courtesy of Tozo.....the cage assembly rips and can't carry the torque any longer. Marco has a picture of it in his picture poster.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/80919/dscn1872.jpg">

 

Is it going into limp mode as soon as you put it in D or only when you release the brake and a car start to roll?

 

But there is a similar vehicle on E-bay at about $2300 "Selling for a friend, needs a transmission or at least a filter change"

Sorry

CalG

 

didn't go well.

 

The guy doesn't check email often, call with offers, it's a 2000 A8L or later shown in the pictures....a feedback rating of 1 with 66.7

It's a scam.

 

I'll try to get the code and post it. I have vag-com however the car is at the dealer and even talking to the actual mechanic is a problem.

 

Your advice is always right on. I checked with two local transmission repair shops and they suspected the 'sprag clutch' or 'internal router clutch' failed. They said it's better to take it to them and have it repaired than to get a total rebuild exchange unit. As usuual my decision to take it to the dealer first turned out to be a bad one. The symptoms were leading me to believe the problem was electronic.

 

<img src="http://i22.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/85/25/c633_1.JPG">

Man, these guys are either really lacy or really dumb. Maybe a bit of both.
The shifter indicates a 02-03 A8. Maybe he just borrowed the pictures, and whats for sale is an 97 A8.

<img src="http://i20.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/86/1b/02d0_1.JPG"><ul><li><a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1997-Audi-A8-Quattro-limited-Top-of-the-line_W0QQitemZ130074248247QQihZ003QQcategoryZ6005Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem">E-bay listing</a></li></ul>

 

I would have them change it out, but they are a little different than a standard automatic transmission. If they don't have the documents, and they have never rebuilt one before, I wouldn't really want to take a chance.