Torque Converter Locked-Up?

GravyTrain

Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2013
Location
Central Oregon
TDI
2000 Jetta A/T
I have a 2000 Jetta, when I put it in Drive or reverse it act like the TC is locked up. There are no codes showing. I can hear a ticking sound when I have it in Drive, and then in reverse it will kill the motor occasionally with my foot on the Brake. Is there a sensor that may be out or a stuck solenoid valve that is keeping the TC locked? What do I need to check?

Thanks in advance.
 

Lensdude_com

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2004
Location
Edmonton, AB
TDI
99.5 MK4 Jetta (ALH) "Betty" (sold), 2005 MK4 Jetta (BEW) "Stinky-Pete"
I have a 2000 Jetta, when I put it in Drive or reverse it act like the TC is locked up. There are no codes showing. I can hear a ticking sound when I have it in Drive, and then in reverse it will kill the motor occasionally with my foot on the Brake. Is there a sensor that may be out or a stuck solenoid valve that is keeping the TC locked? What do I need to check? Thanks in advance.
The best first step is reading the codes from VCDS.
 

GravyTrain

Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2013
Location
Central Oregon
TDI
2000 Jetta A/T
Just a follow-up.
The car has been to a couple mechanics and still no certain answer. The first mechanic hooked it up to the Vag Com and everthing checked out okay. He speculated that a valve may be leaking or stuck. He said it would need a deeper look. He didn't charge me and sent me to a vw transmission specialist. One of their mechanics looked at it and said it was fine but my motor mounts were worn. I wanted to explain cause and effect to him at that time. Anyway before i could pick it up some one started the car and saw what it was doing. They said "we're not sure what is causing it but we can rebuild it for 2500".
The trans shifts fine, so i wouldn't think it needs a rebuild, but if I drop the pan and the fluid is silver I would think I would need to rebuild it. They also wanted to let me know my brakes squel, wow so that's what that sound coming from the wheels when I apply the brake is? I shouldn't be a smart a**, I'm just frustrated that nobody knows what is causing the problem but willing to let me spend my money on the big stuff.
 

Timeshifte

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 24, 2011
Location
Dayton, MN.
TDI
2003 New Beetle TDI , 2000 Jetta TDI, 87 Southwind diesel
One of the solenoid valves in the tranny controls the torque converter lockup, its an electrical part, I had a similar problem with my Jetta, but it would kill when put into drive or reverse. The part was inexpensive just be careful of the connector when you replace it. Sounds like your "experts" maybe misleading you. There are several threads on the auto trans. http://www.kansascitytdi.com is a great resource as well as http://forums.vwvortex.com/forumdisplay.php?574-Automatic-Transmission-Forum .
 

GravyTrain

Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2013
Location
Central Oregon
TDI
2000 Jetta A/T
Thank you for the help. I have been talking with kasascitytdi through e-mail and they have been a great help as well. After doing some driving around I realized it is locking up in drive as well as reverse, just not to the extent of killing the motor. I have to back out of my driveway so i notice reverse of course. The mechanic that hooked the car up to the Vag Com has been very helpful and said he would check my fluid levels after I do the job (assuming it all goes well for me).. Anyway I will post my results....
 

oilhammer

Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Joined
Dec 11, 2001
Location
outside St Louis, MO
TDI
There are just too many to list....
I had an 01M once that had the TC clutch stuck in a sort of halfway engaged position. TCM couldn't detect this, and there were no DTCs anywhere in the TCM, but the ECU had a DTC for throttle body limit (this was a gasser). Almost acted as if the TC clutch apply pressure never fully bled off. But even after I had the transmission OUT, I could barely spin the converter in the bellhouse. And then I realized that this, too, explained the weak crank at startup.

The ECU had the throttle body cranked out beyond what it knew it should have been to stay at idle speed, and that was why it was setting the DTC, and why it kept spazzing out the RPMs in and out of gear. I'd imagine an ALH makes enough torque at idle that in the same condition it wouldn't have cared as much, not sure.

But I agree, I'd try the TC solenoid first. Cheaper and easier.
 

GravyTrain

Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2013
Location
Central Oregon
TDI
2000 Jetta A/T
I finally got the new solenoid in. Work is always slowing me down :) Anyway that foxed the problem thanks for all the help and input. Now to wait for the next something to happen.....
 
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