1999 Audi A6 Automatic Transmission Issue

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06-28-2013, 03:01 PM

#11

1999_Audi_A6

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Also the display screen is not readable (what a surprise lol) I heard that these Audi's come with a lifetime transmission fluid, i really don't know how true that statement may be but sounds like bull.

Quote:

Originally Posted by beeser

That code, P1857, is rather ambiguous, likely useless and probably irrelevant. The symptoms you describe is of a transmission running on low line pressure, often caused by low fluid, a clogged filter, or both. It may be all it needs is a simple fluid/filter change. When was this last done (if ever)?

That "stuck in 3rd gear" condition is "limp home mode". This is the default when the transmission is experiencing a problem of some sort. It is accompanied by the "PRND432" indicator at the bottom of the display screen being all lit up (assuming that the display screen is still readable at all).

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06-28-2013, 07:27 PM

#12

beeser

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 1999_Audi_A6

Heh; yeah. In this case, I say that "lifetime" means the life of the fluid. It's good until it's not good anymore. Seriously, a good rule of thumb is to change the fluid along with the timing belt, about 80,000 miles/5-years or so, depending on driving conditions and the local climate.

I've opened up ZF transmissions in Audis and VWs with up to 190,000 miles, still running the original fluid. My current car ('01 B5.5 Passat 4-Motion, an A4 in disguise) is one such car. It was used nearly entirely on the interstate, and was jumping in and out of gear, until I did the fluid/filter change. Now at 198,000 miles, it's one of the sweetest cars I've ever owned.

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06-29-2013, 07:01 AM

#13

1999_Audi_A6

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Finally got the time to check, ripped out the carpet and the TCM inside the black box in perfectly dry. No corrosion or lose plug, could it have just gone bad?

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Originally Posted by 4Driver4

Make sure you open the black plastic box and check inside. Don't just peek under the carpet!

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06-29-2013, 12:14 PM

#14

4Driver4

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 1999_Audi_A6

Finally got the time to check, ripped out the carpet and the TCM inside the black box in perfectly dry. No corrosion or lose plug, could it have just gone bad?

That's good news. I'd next check fluid level and pull transmission codes.