'02 Jetta lost reverse

EMD_Driver

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2011
Location
Ravenel, SC
TDI
2006 Jetta
I backed my Jetta under the carport Friday evening and it sat there until today(Sunday) We had some snow yesterday and we did not need to go anywhere. Today, I drove to the AP store (About 8 miles) and went to back into a parking spot. I shifted into reverse and got nothing. When I shifted into reverse, I was not moving forward at all. The guys in the store were trying to figure out what I was doing and asked me, when I went inside.

I tried turning the key off and then re-starting the car... Still no reverse. Went in the store, bought what I needed and came back out.. Still no reverse. There is also no MIL.

I did a search for "no reverse" and found THIS thread about an '05 with possible n90 solenoid problems. Would the 2002 auto tranny have this same solenoid, or could it possibly be something else?


When I bought the car, I had no idea it was going to be such a money pit. Right now, I have too much into it, to give up now.. Please help me out.. I need the car Tuesday, to get my G/F to her chemotherapy appointment.
 

Strykeviper

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2010
Location
Orlando, FL
TDI
2002 Jetta Wagon, 2015 Passat SEL, 2012 Jetta Highline, 2020 Ram 1500 Ecodiesel
Is it the original transmission? Has it ever been serviced? Reverse going out is usually a sign of impending failure for the 01M. Do a search for 01M. You may also want to contact coolairvw as he knows these units very well.
 

davebugs

Vendor
Joined
Sep 15, 2003
Location
Pittsburgh suburb
TDI
2001 Golf TDI Automatic, MKIV rear axle bushing install tools
It may not be reverse. By that I mean often the differential fails and the car won't go backwards in revverse, pushed backwards, or dragged
backwards.

I just bought another one like this last week.
 

EMD_Driver

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2011
Location
Ravenel, SC
TDI
2006 Jetta
Is it the original transmission? Has it ever been serviced? Reverse going out is usually a sign of impending failure for the 01M. Do a search for 01M. You may also want to contact coolairvw as he knows these units very well.
As far as I know, it's original..

I emailed coolairvw about it and also checked out his web site. The info on THIS page does not give me much confidence!
 

EMD_Driver

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2011
Location
Ravenel, SC
TDI
2006 Jetta
It may not be reverse. By that I mean often the differential fails and the car won't go backwards in revverse, pushed backwards, or dragged
backwards.

I just bought another one like this last week.
I don't think it's the diff.. It still rolls freely backwards..
 

Strykeviper

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2010
Location
Orlando, FL
TDI
2002 Jetta Wagon, 2015 Passat SEL, 2012 Jetta Highline, 2020 Ram 1500 Ecodiesel
As far as I know, it's original..

I emailed coolairvw about it and also checked out his web site. The info on THIS page does not give me much confidence!
I know your pain. I am actually looking at the 5 speed swap and how soon I could have funds to do it. I have a 2000 that hesitates before reverse on occasion and it downshifts 4th to 3rd rough most of the time. It will shift smooth from 4th to 3rd if I make it kickdown.

I don't know if it is a possible option for you but it will probably be cheaper in the end and much more reliable.

There is a company that rebuilds the 01M and sells it for ~$1500-2000 but we are unsure of the quality of the rebuilds. I know a member here has put one in their car recently but it is probably too early to tell if it is a reliable build yet.
 

EMD_Driver

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2011
Location
Ravenel, SC
TDI
2006 Jetta
There is a company that rebuilds the 01M and sells it for ~$1500-2000 but we are unsure of the quality of the rebuilds. I know a member here has put one in their car recently but it is probably too early to tell if it is a reliable build yet.

At this point, I just don't know what to do.. I have too much money in the car, to just give up on it.. Eventually, if I keep pouring money into it, it'll be a good car...

What is the company you were referring to?
 

CoolAirVw

Vendor
Joined
Nov 9, 2005
Location
Kansas City Missouri
TDI
Jetta
I did a search for "no reverse" and found THIS thread about an '05 with possible n90 solenoid problems. Would the 2002 auto tranny have this same solenoid, or could it possibly be something else?
Thats for a different trans. I have never seen a solenoid problem cause no reverse on a 01m.. usually its a internal problem requiring rebuild, or at least major internal work.
 
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