Likely culprits of a sudden shifting problem?

[grette]

Hello! I have a 2005 Passat wagon here that sat still for about a month. Then I drove it extensively for a couple days, and it was perfect. Now, suddenly, it sounds like what's happening is that it can't get into 3rd gear- like it revs crazy high in 2nd until it can finally jump into 4th. Obviously it's an automatic, but that's the best way I can describe it.
VCDS didn't find any transmission faults.
I've been reading a lot of threads on here about common transmission issues in the B5 Passat- if it is a failing transmission, the kind of repair/replacement prices I've seen quoted here are more than I can spend on this car. I'm hoping for any better ideas of what I might be in for, whether that's "yes, definitely, your transmission is toast, either put it on craigslist or go find $6k" or "actually there's still a chance it might just be this weird solenoid thing."
I found an article about resetting the transmission's adaptive settings. Has anyone done this? (Is it a real thing?) I just inherited this car from my dad; he drove like every drive was a touring car race. I drive like there's a wobbly dog standing in the back. Maybe the car is confused?
I know he did some version of the sports mode coding. I figured I'd try to undo it this weekend, just to see what happens.
Thank you for any help!

 

[mittzlepick]

Mk4 have 2 or 3 settings.

 

[oilhammer]

If the TCM has no DTCs, then next I would watch the data and see what gear it is in, or at least what gear it THINKS it is in. I'd also see if each gear is selectable as normal in the Tip mode.

Not much to go on here, usually the OBD is pretty good on these, but you may have some strange situation where it just isn't flagging anything yet. And of course, check the fluid level.

I have mine soft coded to 1134, which helps shift mapping a lot. But that may not be here or there.

 

[gmar8099]

@oilhammer can you describe what this means? "soft coded to 1134" Is it possible to alter the transmission shifting with VCDS?

OP, hope this is not hijacking your thread.

GM

 

[oilhammer]

Some VAG TCMs allow for a soft coding change, depends on the specific model. The OP's Passat has a 5sp ZF transmission that shares absolutely nothing with your Jetta's DSG, however.

 

[gmar8099]

Hey @oilhammer I just saw your response here. My profile doesn't list my current TDI. My car is a 2005 Passat TDI wagon with the ZF auto trans. Would you be willing to share more about any possible tweaks to shift mapping on this model?

 

[Mozambiquer]

I also run the 1134 soft coding on my passats, I really like how it made the car drive.
You set it with vcds, go into the TCM and in the coding section you'll find which coding yours has. You can adapt that to change the shift style.
Here's the Ross-tech article with some info. http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/5-Speed_Automatic_Transmission_(01V_/_5HP19)

 

[Lotawood]

1134 coding on mine. Was an improvement. Was 1104 before.

 

[igiveup]

I had something similar years ago. Turned out to be a broken rubber o-ring in the transmission valve body.