2002 TDI Transmission Failure, rebuild shop location?

Good evening gentlemen,
2002 Jetta TDI Auto, 225,000 miles, original owner (wife). Transmission started slipping 40,000 ago but was nurtured until it did not shift anymore. Some shop changed the starter which ruined the flywheel gear (teeth). I have read the bad reps about the 01M but head and leg injuries sustained in Iraq prevent me from using my manual transmission TDI anymore, I now have to use automatics only.

Can anyone recommend a good rebuilding VW transmission specialist anywhere between Portland ME and Baltimore MD. I would like to keep the car as I have maintained it in perfect condition over the years, or is it an insane desire?

I may have ask this question before, if I did, I cannot find it - my apologies for repeating myself, I have had a hard time coming back home.
I would appreciate your recommendations - so far I have read good reviews about IPT Performance Transmissions and Level 10, any other recommendations? I would bring the car over on my way to family. Thank you for your help, L

lancelot1953@msn.com

Swapping in a known good auto trans is always a better option than rebuilding a high mileage, bad one.

Longevity wise, and cost wise.

Funny you should mention Baltimore. I’m about 30 mins south in the Washington DC area. I’ve also got a 2000 Golf w/154k with a perfect auto trans. Looking to swap eventually.

Hi Stomachbuzz,

I am looking for any dependable good VW transmission shops between Portland ~ Baltimore MD (Parkville actually). I am making a trip following my children's locations (Portland, ME; Newington, CT; Washington, DC; Parkville, MD - with good VA hospitals in between for contingencies.
Would you have anyone to recommend? Thank you, Ciao, L

Again, makes no sense to rebuild an automatic transmission, especially of this vintage.
Find a good one, and swap in for 1/3 cost, 1/3 labor, and 2x reliability.

Aiddtionally, transmissions aren’t rebuilt in shop anymore (with exception). Makes no sense with regard to downtime, tech experience, availability of parts, and cost.
They are simply swapped out with a unit rebuilt by Jasper or some other junk company.

Hi Stomachbuzz - OK, would you have a good recommendation for a where I would find a "good transmission" and someone dependable to install it along the same line (ME~MD)?
"help"! Ciao, L
Are the automatic transmissions used on the early gasoline Jetta IV the same as the ones fitted to the TDI engine? Which years do fit the 2001~2002?
Thank you, L

You cant use the gas transmission(s), it is not geared correctly.

Lets back up a bit. OP wants to get transmission fixed.
Can't say I've ever seen a shop recommended as a VW transmission place. But one of our recommended mechanics can recommend or repair. There are several good ones in the area you describe. Some do transmission work, some may recommend a course of action.
Might even be worth contacting user CoolAirVW (kansascitytdi.com, he's far way but he networks.
Many of the best mechanics do not circulate on these interweb things, so you're in for some phone calls. Keep in mind the good ones are often very busy.
Link to list in my signature.

Just from my reading, there is a guy in ME, Herm TDI, and another in MD, Oliver. Both are long time, top shelf mechanics.

You can get a brand new one from VW if you want to shell out the 4 grand... it may or may not last as long as your current one did.

Don't be discouraged from seeking a local repair shop. Good ones do exist.
There is no reason your 01M cannot be rebuilt unless there is actual damage to
the case.
My experience is that I used a local shop with a long-time good rep with my own
mechanic. We made sure to get a 2-year, 25k mile warranty with a loaner car, too.
The car has been back several times before they got it right but eventually they did.
It cost $2400.
My daughter now drives the heck out of it with DLC520's and a tune.

flee said:

.........................experience is that I used a local shop with a long-time good rep with my own
mechanic. ........................

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Best advice. It's hard to find good honest transmission shop for any car. First time I used one I was very surprised at how many shops there were.

01Ms are:

A: crappy

B: expensive to rebuild properly

C: easily replaced with the 02J

The issue with these is the aftermarket parts to rebuild them are either junk or simply do not exist. Which is why they always get the boomerang treatment by rebuilders.

The transmission itself is not particularly strange or difficult to deal with, just the parts are prohibitively expensive.

IF you do have it rebuilt the first thing you should do (and the first thing you should do with ANY ATX-powered car!) is add AT LEAST an auxiliary transmission oil cooler (that is AFTER the one that goes through the radiator!) and consider a bypass filter.

Virtually ALL ATXes under SOME set of common driving conditions run the gear oil too hot (which is not helped at all by running the cooler circuit through the engine coolant, which nearly all of them do!) and ALL ATXes intentionally shed friction material into the oil (since the clutches are *inside* the gearcase and lubricated by said oil.) Taking care of at least the first of those will have a tremendous impact on transmission life, and the latter is a good idea as well.

oilhammer said:

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C: easily replaced with the 02J\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

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That's a manual, not an option for OP.

A guy in Reading PA rebuilds the 01M. The name of the shop is Dubbles German Motors. Here is the link to the business: https://www.dubbles.com/. He used to sell reman 01M's on line but I see he doe not promote this anymore.
Heed the advice you get here. The 01M is a dog and is very expensive to reman. If you do not want to have to go back to the shop several times get a new 01M from VW or convert the car to a 5 speed. If neither of these two options appeal to you look at a different car.

If the 01M is anything like the 09G, which they seem to have similar symptoms when shutting down and dying. Then my suggestion would be to contact Reamman Valve Bodies or Revmax Converters. Both of these rebuild the valve bodies to make them stronger and (with proper fluid changes) will in turn last longer. I bought one from Reamman for my 09g and since the car i bought had been driven so long on the bad trans it fried the clutches, i had to find a good known trans with low miles and then i swapped the valve bodies. Just my opinion that maybe if you have someone rebuild it, see if they can get an upgraded valve body to possily make it last a little longer for you.

jon_570 said:

If the 01M is anything like the 09G,....

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It isn't, not even close.