2002 Jetta automatic transmission problems

TadN

Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2006
Location
Lake George, NY
TDI
2002 Jetta
I am the original owner of a 2002 Jetta TDI with a 4 spd transmission and 70K miles. Recently, the transmission would not engage in drive or reverse from a stop. The transmission would only engage if the engine was accelerated (the shift selector would move to drive or reverse, but the transmission would act as if it were in neutral). I suspected that the transmission fluid was low. I took the Jetta to my local dealer to have the transmission serviced. Unfortunately, the mechanic found metal fillings in the transmission fluid. The transmission service seemed to help when shifting into drive. However, there is still difficulty getting the transmission to engage in reverse. I suspect that the transmission will need to be replaced very soon.

I am limited to replacing the transmission with an automatic transmission. My wife has no interest in learning to drive a manual transmission. What is the best option for replacing this transmission? Is there a better transmission than the orginal 4 speed automatic? I am planning to have the timing belt replaced at the time the transmission is serviced. What other parts should be replaced at the same time?
 

ymz

Top Post Dawg
Joined
May 12, 2003
Location
Between Toronto & Montreal
TDI
2003 Jetta TDI Wagon, 2003 Jetta TDI Wagon
Sorry to hear about your transmission!! We seem to be hearing about a bunch of 2002 automatic transmissions with problems lately...

Can't advise about the tranny (I've been scared of the VW automatics... make that most of the recent high-tech automatics from any manufacturer), but as far as the timing belt:

Are you sure that your dealer has sufficient expertise in replacing TDI timing belts? Most dealers in the U.S. do not... As well, they often do not replace _all_ the needed components... (not to mention not paying attention to the torque values...) Take a look at the DeLuxe timing belt kit from Dieselgeek (one of the many fine vendors we have here)
http://www.dieselgeek.com/Detail.bok?no=349 or from any of the other fine vendors here: www.metalmanparts.com www.tdiparts.com or
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=152185 ... ask your dealer exactly which parts he's planning to replace... the water pump and the so-called "stretch" bolts are essential... (all the rollers, tensioner and belt should not need to be mentioned)... As well, the dealers don't like to replace the large idler (roller) with the one from the 2003 model year, which has a larger bearing and can go longer than the 2002-and-earlier roller... (p/n 038 109 244 M)


Most of us prefer to either do it ourselves (with help from TDI-Club friends) or go to one of the TDI-Club gurus - yes, it's usually worth the drive... (There _may_ be a reliable TDI mechanic in your area, but I haven't heard of one...) In your case, there isn't a Guru all that close, but you do have about 10,000 miles before you need to get this done to take a trip to the Boston area, Port Jervis (NY), or if you're heading West, Sunbury PA...

All the best,

Yuri.
 
Last edited:

petger

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2005
Location
CO
TDI
Jetta TDI, 6spd, 2010, Blue
TadN- I feel/felt your pain. I had similar symptoms about a year ago and after talking with several mechanics, including a VW dealer, decided it might be sticky solenoid(s). The problem went away, but the tranny did not feel right and began to slip a bit on hard corner acceleration. When I did my upgrades the problem got worse, so I took the car in to a transmission shop (McFalls in Colorado Springs) & they found a fair amount of metal in the pan. They told me that VW uses smaller needle bearings than they should in a few crucial areas, and that's where these trannys tend to fail. So anyway, $3000 later I have a rebuilt transmission with 2 year/24k warranty that works great. I've heard the dealers in this area charge $4500. I wish you luck with yours.
 

Calsfolks@MSN.COM

New member
Joined
Aug 20, 2006
Location
Long Island NY
TDI
2002 jetta A4
02 tdi trans problem

I experienced a similar problem when going out for some coffee this morning. Did you replace the automatic trans? I too have lost reverse and barely have drive with my A4 Jetta . :confused:
 

TadN

Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2006
Location
Lake George, NY
TDI
2002 Jetta
Tranmission Problem

No, I have not replaced the transmission yet. I was hoping to get some advice from VW gurus regarding the best option for replacing this transmission. The problems that I am having appear to be common with this transmission. I am currently looking for a reputable VW mechanic in my area (Lake George, NY) and attempting to find the best replacement transmission. If you have any recommendations please share them.
 

petger

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2005
Location
CO
TDI
Jetta TDI, 6spd, 2010, Blue
As I said in your other post, I had similar symptoms about a year ago. I won't repeat the post. I did consult with the transmission specialist (McFalls) and several other mechanics and searched this forum at length. I did not find any real upgrades that can be accomplished during the repair. KERMA posted an adjustment that can enhance the way the auto shifts, but other than that I found nothing else. I would repair what you have. Swapping for a different type tranny would most likely be a lengthy & expensive venture, especially if you aren't intending to do the work yourself. Good luck.
 

Rexking414

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2006
Location
Wisconsin
TDI
02 jetta
Maybe instead of replacing the transmission and may want to consider rebuilding it. i think that would be cheaper. My jetta has a 5 speed automatic. That was available but that would cost probably too much. Good luck!
 

xoman60

Active member
Joined
Sep 17, 2005
Location
Saint Petersburg, FL.
TDI
Passat SEL Premium, 2013 and a jetta GLS, 2002, black, 2011 jetta TDI
starting to worry

I also have an 02 that is starting to slip just a little when it goes into 4th. I have 54,000 miles, which is under the 60,000 mile warranty. I took it in this past week to be checked out and the dealer said it just needed the computer reset. Nothing of course has changed and the tranny still slips going into 4th. I believe the dealer could be stalling untill the Volkswagen warranty expires, and they can use my extended warranty. Does anyone have something I can show the dealer about problems with this model year tranmissions? The service dept. actually told me they are no reported problems with Jetta tranny's.
 

MOGolf

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jun 27, 2001
Location
underneath something
TDI
2001 Golf GLS TDI Reflex silver, rough road suspension and steel skid plate, 2004 Passat Variant, Candy White, rough road suspension and geared balanced shaft module, and much, much more. 2016 LR RR HSE TD6, 2019 Jaguar I-PACE
Reluctance to shift into first and reverse are the first signs that the filter and fluid are past needing to be changed. Forget that VW says "lifetime". Continued operation like this will cause additional wear on the internal parts as they are getting starved of adequate lubrication.

Search for a posting by me and the word "Sonnax". You'll come to a post that shows I replaced internal bushings to repair reluctance of shifting into reverse.
 

kenoconnell

Member
Joined
Nov 27, 2006
Location
canada
TDI
2001 tdi automatic(1.9)
try mogolf he done a tranny bushing thing that he listed very expicit instructions on how to....
 

TadN

Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2006
Location
Lake George, NY
TDI
2002 Jetta
2002 Jetta Automatic Transmission Problem

Thanks for the suggestions. I realize that having the original transmisson rebuilt or having a rebuilt 4 speed automatic installed is probably the least expensive repair for my car. However, I would consider other (ie more expensive) options if they were more reliable. Unfortunately, I love this car. The handling, the gas mileage, etc, etc. So even though I am having problems with the transmission I plan to keep it for the long haul. Logic is not always at the forefront when "love" is envolved.

I now know that the transmission fluid needs to be changed more frequently than the manufacturer/dealer suggests. Hopefully, I will be able to get more than 70K out of a rebuilt transmission. Thanks again for the help and the TDI Club website.
 

Rexking414

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2006
Location
Wisconsin
TDI
02 jetta
Yeah, perhaps when they rebuilt your transmission they didn't add the right amount of fluid. Vw auto transmissions are very very sensitive and you have to have the exact amount, or your transmission will act up, and it's a very complex process, it's not like a american trannie, did the people that did it have Experience with Vw's? that would be something i would also check, because vw makes a good product, as with all german things, i seen a auto trannie with 228000 on the original one.
 

dieseldorf

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 11, 2000
Location
MA
TDI
ex- 1996 wagon, ex-2000 Jetta
Many folks come to learn that when you don't buy a VW with the MANual transmission, you end up writing a big check for the repair or you write the car off.

Why do y'all think there are so many VR6 Passats for sale for $300? (Repair bill exceeds net worth of vehicle ;) )

The automatic transmission is the Achilles' Heel of these cars. Do a search. See how many failed auto trans threads you find in just the past 4 weeks. It's not coincidence.

An Achilles’ heel is a fatal weakness in spite of overall strength, actually or potentially leading to downfall.
 

tango_28

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2002
Location
Woobury, MN
TDI
2003 JSW(sold 2011) , 2009 JSW RIP 1-5-2013, 2011 JSW
Most of the failed auto tranny tend to be 02.
 
Last edited:

v8volvo

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2004
Location
WA
TDI
2001 Jetta
It's far away from you, but there's a place in the Northwest called German Transaxle (http://www.gtainc.biz/) that has been building German automatics for decades. They're the best, and their prices are great too. I put one of their auto trannies into a '91 Vanagon last summer and it shifts better than new.
 

TadN

Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2006
Location
Lake George, NY
TDI
2002 Jetta
Thanks

Thanks for the feed back/suggestions. I have spent alot of time researching the TDI website and there are alot 2002 VW 4spd automatics that have failed. And while I do agree that most German made cars are well made/designed. It appears that this particular transmission is neither. Unfortunately my wife has no interest in learning to drive a manual or I would not own an automatic.

Incidently I have owned several VWs, 1965 VW bug with 365K and still going strong when I sold it in 1991, a 1980 VW Vanagon Westfalia (my favorite) that did not make the move back east from CA in 1994(mistake), and a 2002 VW Passat 1.8T (a nice ride and no problems yet)

I have decided to sell the Jetta. You will find it posted on the TDI Club "For Sale" section. I need a little more room for the family and I can not find a good VW mechanic in my area and the VW dealer has not been much help/use. Thanks again for the suggestions.
 

TadN

Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2006
Location
Lake George, NY
TDI
2002 Jetta
Thanks

Thanks for the feed back/suggestions. I have spent alot of time researching the TDI website and there are alot 2002 VW 4spd automatics that have failed. And while I do agree that most German made cars are well made/designed. It appears that this particular transmission is neither. Unfortunately my wife has no interest in learning to drive a manual or I would not own an automatic.

Incidently I have owned several VWs, 1965 VW bug with 365K and still going strong when I sold it in 1991, a 1980 VW Vanagon Westfalia (my favorite) that did not make the move back east from CA in 1994(mistake), and a 2002 VW Passat 1.8T (a nice ride and no problems yet)

I have decided to sell the Jetta. You will find it posted on the TDI Club "For Sale" section. I need a little more room for the family and I can not find a good VW mechanic in my area and the VW dealer has not been much help/use. Thanks again for the suggestions.
 

Jack_Berry

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2006
Location
Racine Wis
TDI
02 jetta sedan
just like the tranny in the town & country and caravans after 90K miles. 3500 bucks.OUCH!!! well, time to start saving my peanuts for the repair.
 

dieseldorf

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 11, 2000
Location
MA
TDI
ex- 1996 wagon, ex-2000 Jetta
Automatic transmissions installed in VWs, regardless of engine, have been miserable for years. Can you say "fuzzy logic" ?
 

Occams_Razor

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2003
Location
Dayton, Ohio
TDI
Jetta Wagon, 2003, Reflex Silver
petger said:
Maybe it's time for a class action!
Problem is that the vast majority last until the end of the warrenty period and then promptly explode. :mad:

Doing regular maintenance on them tends to avoid this issue, (changing fluid and filter).
 

petger

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2005
Location
CO
TDI
Jetta TDI, 6spd, 2010, Blue
Occams_Razor said:
Problem is that the vast majority last until the end of the warrenty period and then promptly explode. :mad:

Doing regular maintenance on them tends to avoid this issue, (changing fluid and filter).
VW should change it's recommended maintenance on these tranny's.
 

dieseldorf

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 11, 2000
Location
MA
TDI
ex- 1996 wagon, ex-2000 Jetta
Did you know that some mfrs have done away with the dipstick so you can't check your oil any longer?

Common sense must prevail at some point.
 

Occams_Razor

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2003
Location
Dayton, Ohio
TDI
Jetta Wagon, 2003, Reflex Silver
petger said:
VW should change it's recommended maintenance on these tranny's.
Why would they? It would take away a selling point. "Our transmissions are so awesome they have a "lifetime" warrenty, (lifetime defined as 100,000 miles ;)), no maintenace required!
 

petger

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2005
Location
CO
TDI
Jetta TDI, 6spd, 2010, Blue
Occams_Razor said:
Why would they? It would take away a selling point. "Our transmissions are so awesome they have a "lifetime" warrenty, (lifetime defined as 100,000 miles ;)), no maintenace required!
Your point is valid and it worked on me in 2002, but that selling point has become a liability to them now. I will never purchase nor recommend an AT from VW, and buyers do search the net & find threads just like these.
 
Last edited:

tango_28

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2002
Location
Woobury, MN
TDI
2003 JSW(sold 2011) , 2009 JSW RIP 1-5-2013, 2011 JSW
Remember Honda makes some crappy automatic transmission too. Just look at there 5 speed automatic. My brother is on his 3rd tranny with his 02 Honda Odyssey with only 35,000 miles.
 

SubseaFB

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2005
Location
Arkansas
TDI
2002 New Beetle, TDI Silver
v8volvo said:
It's far away from you, but there's a place in the Northwest called German Transaxle (http://www.gtainc.biz/) that has been building German automatics for decades. They're the best, and their prices are great too. I put one of their auto trannies into a '91 Vanagon last summer and it shifts better than new.
I wonder if they do complete rebuilds of the AT for the 02 NB's and Jetta's? It would be great if they did and would become a registered vendor here at TDiclub.com. With the amount of AT failures, Im sure a trusted, reliable and affordable transmission service provider would get them lots of business and perhaps we could garnish a wee bit of info and help from them.
 

MOGolf

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jun 27, 2001
Location
underneath something
TDI
2001 Golf GLS TDI Reflex silver, rough road suspension and steel skid plate, 2004 Passat Variant, Candy White, rough road suspension and geared balanced shaft module, and much, much more. 2016 LR RR HSE TD6, 2019 Jaguar I-PACE
Perhaps whitedog could stop in and ask?
 

SubseaFB

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2005
Location
Arkansas
TDI
2002 New Beetle, TDI Silver
I sent them an email at their website. Hoping to hear back from them after the weekend.
 

Dakota2004

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2005
Location
North Dakota
TDI
2002 Jetta
SubseaFB said:
I sent them an email at their website. Hoping to hear back from them after the weekend.
Here is an email I received from German Transaxle of America on 10/5/2006 when I inquired about rebuilding my 2002 Jetta FDB transmission:

Randy,
The cost on a rebuild would be $2945.00 + $600.00 (core deposit) + Shipping (depends on your location). It would take us about a week to get one out when you place the order.
Theresa
German Transaxle of America
gta@bendbroadband.com
800/892-4327
 
Top