2002 Jetta automatic transmission problems

TadN · December 9th, 2006, 06:44

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 · December 9th, 2006, 07:20

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.

petger · December 9th, 2006, 08:12

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 · December 10th, 2006, 06:02

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 .

TadN · December 10th, 2006, 08:58

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 · December 10th, 2006, 10:06

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 · December 10th, 2006, 13:14

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 · December 10th, 2006, 15:23

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 · December 10th, 2006, 16:11

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 · December 10th, 2006, 18:35

try mogolf he done a tranny bushing thing that he listed very expicit instructions on how to....

TadN · December 11th, 2006, 02:20

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 · December 11th, 2006, 19:49

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 · December 12th, 2006, 05:06

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.

Quote:

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

tango_28 · December 12th, 2006, 07:06

Most of the failed auto tranny tend to be 02.

v8volvo · December 12th, 2006, 10:21

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.