Auto TDI stuck in 3rd gear- limp mode

meisterleipz · Dec 15, 2009

A friend's automatic tdi is stuck in 3rd gear and is in limp mode. 17965 code is thrown. When you turn off and cycle the ignition limp mode disappears and the transmission will shift through the gears perfectly. but when you rev over 3000 rpm's limp mode comes back and tranny stays in 3rd.

Does limp mode for an automatic cause the tranny to stay in 3rd gear?

There are no tranny related codes thrown.

mjhandy · Dec 15, 2009

There is away of reseting the computer for the tranny, i just can't find the post. i 'think' it's something to do with removing the battery terminals, and supposedly holding them together. I think the idea is to discharge the capacitors and reset the system.

MOGolf · Dec 15, 2009

And if you plug the fault code number into the search function, you'll find it has nothing to do with the transmission.

meisterleipz · Dec 15, 2009

but when the ignition is turned off and then the car is restarted limp mode is gone and the tranny shifts fine. but when it revs past 3000 rpm car goes back into limp and stays in 3rd. once I fix the 17965 issue will the tranny function normally again. Basically, what I am asking is...is it a normal function for the tranny to stay in 3rd while in limp mode?

MOGolf · Dec 15, 2009

Your engine is in limp mode and doesn't have enough power to make use of 4th gear. 3rd gear is limp mode to get you home or to a repair shop.

meisterleipz · Dec 15, 2009

the car will rev well past 3000 rpm in third...so the tranny is likely fine then...obviously since there are no tranny codes. is this just the way auto's work in limp mode? I found it be strange...mind you I have only had 5-speed tdi's.

MOGolf · Dec 15, 2009

It is how VW has them programmed.

OmegaRenegade · Dec 15, 2009

tell him to scan the transmission module - you may also find a code for torque converter lockup

meisterleipz · Dec 16, 2009

a complete scan was done...glow plug and abs codes came up but nothing tranny related. when the car is not in limp the tranny shifts fine through all gears.

mjhandy · Dec 16, 2009

You should probably look at solving the limp mode first.

Have a read through here as a starting point.:

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=179589

one other thing, does it shift into forth if you can keep it out of limp mode?

meisterleipz · Dec 16, 2009

thanks for the link...I have used it in the past...very helpful.

Ya, when it stays out of limp is goes through all the gears fine, including fourth.

VarmintSlayer · Dec 16, 2009

This may help.

http://www.valvebodybuilders.com/tech_vw_tpsrelearn.html

meisterleipz · Dec 16, 2009

ya, thanks. I know about them already. Had another friend deal with them. Thing is...no tranny codes. I am thinking (as MOGolf mentioned) it is just the way the automatics are...limp mode=default to 3rd gear.

VarmintSlayer · Dec 16, 2009

No argument there from me.

I could usually prevent mine from going into limp mode by downshifting before generous throttle application.

Here is another link, this Coolairvw seems too really know how to troubleshoot these. He has more posts about the 0m1 check them out.
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=248847&highlight=coolairvw

meisterleipz · Dec 16, 2009

Definitely, CoolAirVw knows his stuff. I found his threads as my buddy and I went into panic mode when the transmission starting doing that.

So, when your auto tdi went into limp mode the transmission would stay in third gear as well?

mjhandy · Dec 16, 2009

I've got a stick, but had limp mode on my old turbo. After i'd done an intake cleaning it was better, but would still go if i hammered it. In my case, the turbo it self was going.

VarmintSlayer · Dec 16, 2009

Actually mine, the tc would unlock.

It would still go through gears, sometimes i could stop and reset it.

Other times it might take a 1/2 hour of so of driving, then it would just engage.

I could easily put it in limp mode at will.

P.s the engine would also be in limp mode in my case

meisterleipz · Dec 16, 2009

do you recall which codes were thrown?

VarmintSlayer · Dec 16, 2009

Sorry never scanned it.

Tsagoth · Dec 16, 2009

When I was having turbo limp mode problems, there was never any transmission problem. It would shift through the gears fine, just had no power. Either with the old failing AT or the new one, I've never experienced the stuck in 3rd gear situation.

I don't know what codes it was throwing either, had no MIL and the SGII reported nothing found.

VarmintSlayer · Dec 16, 2009

Oops yes you can have limp mode engine wise and not have the tranny go to limp mode.

I think its a matter of timing, as in the engine goes into limp mode while the tranny is downshifting and unlocking/locking the tc. Ultimatly leaving the tc unlocked to protect the engine.

My half arsed work around was to manually intervene, simply downshifting letting it rev up before passing.

No need to baby it either, probably the worse thing too do.

Your buddy's case sounds different to what i experienced.

Gregataustin · Dec 31, 2009

I have the 01M, and have spent plenty of time in limp mode, never affected transmission. Long story short, I did unplug the transmission control relay thingy near the glowplug one, and that made my transmission angry, it got stuck in gears and didden't downshift well at all.

VDUB TECH · Jan 2, 2010

any codes in engine electronics?A flaky 109 relay will give you tranny limp mode on an automagic.Usually youll get a accelerator pedal position fault.

Auto TDI stuck in 3rd gear- limp mode

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