Transmission problems

HELLAFLUFFY

MEMBER
1997 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
4 CYL
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

My car has the 2.0 4 engine. Recently drive has stopped working along with third shift.

I am not sure if it just needs transmission fluid or I need to replace the transmission itself. I have been running on it on second gear for about three months and nothing has happened so far with it, still runs smoothly. Please help! I have been using it for work only (about a two hour drive four times a week) but I miss going on the freeways and visiting friends.

3 Replies

LOU P

MECHANIC
118 POSTS

Hello, the most common failure within the Volkswagen transmissions is either the valve body or the solenoids that control the shifting and gears. Most likely you have a check engine light on and a code for the transmission failure. If you can get the codes read with a scan tool that can read Volkswagen cars specifically then you can return here and I can tell you the most probable cause.

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Tuesday, February 7th, 2017 AT 5:17 PM

HELLAFLUFFY

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I will let you know the codes tomorrow, thank you so much for replying!

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Tuesday, February 7th, 2017 AT 5:18 PM

LOU P

MECHANIC
118 POSTS

No problem, it is very important that the codes come from the transmission module as the engine module will have a code, but it will be a vague description of the transmission fault. You need to access a scan tool like the OEM Volkswagen tool or a high end snap on or Matco scanner, there are a few others but it cannot be a "obd 2" scanner as those generally only read engine modules. Best way to describe it is if it is like a laptop that is good if it's like a game-boy or cell phone that is bad. :)

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Tuesday, February 7th, 2017 AT 5:23 PM