95 Passat automatic transmission issues

Won · 05-23-2011, 10:21 PM

Trying to help out a friend with a 95 Passat GLX VR6 with automatic tranny. Driving normally it feels like the transmission "slips" and never locks up. RPM stays in high 2k to low 3k most of the time. RPM drops between shift is not very noticeable and it revs straight up to 3k mark on upshift. If floored it will rev to about 4.5k but not closer to the red line before shifting up. It may have run low on fluid and is overfilled with fluid at the moment which will be drained and filled to correct level, can overfilling affect the operation of the box?

Strangely, when in reverse it feels like a good A/T should, i.e. eager to move once you get off the brakes and you can feel more direct connection between the rpm and the speed of the car (as much as you can with a slushbox anyway).

Got about 80k miles on the odo. Any ideas?

McLovin · 05-23-2011, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Won

Any ideas?

Craigslist.

sc_rufctr · 05-23-2011, 10:54 PM

The VW MK3 Auto trans is know for having reliability issues.

I would definitely drain the oil and refill to the correct level before doing anything else.
But unfortunately it may need a new trans. You may be able to get a rebuilt trans from somewhere but I don't think they're available new from VW.

Manuel transmissions are available new. (about 2k)

Won · 05-23-2011, 11:26 PM

Thanks guys. The more I read about B4 transmissions the scarier it gets. So many damn things to go wrong! Hopefully I can pull some codes with vag-com and make sure it's d-e-d dead.

Walter_Middie · Walter_Middie's Garage

Quote:

can overfilling affect the operation of the box

Yes - overfilling is bad for auto trans. If the fluid level is too high, some of the spinning parts will hit the fluid and the fluid will foam. Then you won't get any hydraulic action - or greatly reduced.

It sounds like your clutch packs are not fully locking up until you get to higher RPM - which is also higher pressure on the clutch packs. Usually, once an auto starts to slip, it is only a short time till all the clutches are burnt past working at all. It's always worth a try to change the fluid and filter and hope for the best.

Good Luck

Tranny Source Rex.

aigel · aigel's Garage

I would get rid of that car very soon and not even mess with it, aside from a quick check / trans fluid change. It can't be worth more than 2500 with a good transmission, so every penny spent now is a waste of money.

I had a 93 and it was the worst POS I ever owned. Also had transmission problems, this one had a bad transmisison computer (at 73k miles). In addition it also had a bad heater core, leaking brake calipers, bad ABS computer, headliner and door panels peeling, window regulators bad, fuel pump relay out, sunroof broken and leaking, all at under 73k miles. I can laugh about it now ... I pity the person who bought it off me ...

George