Hi all
I bought a 2003 1.4 automatic vw polo last Christmas (2022).
Since the start it has had issues with the gearbox. Especially when it's not warmed up, it struggles to shift through the gears. It will over-rev with little or no power transmitting to the wheels, before juddering up a gear with a crunch.
We took it back to the dealership to 'fix'. I don't know what they did, but nothing really changed. We got the transmission oil replaced. We even managed to get the credit card insurance to fund a complete gearbox refurbishment. None of this has made any significant difference for any length of time.
Does anyone know what the issue is? Are there any other avenues of investigation that i can ask a garage to look into. I don't have the time, the tools, or the knowledge to get my hands dirty myself!
Many thanks.
(If I'm posting in the wrong place, or if my search skills are lacking please let me know.)
Automatic gearbox issues
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Trevthedancer
- New
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Mon Jan 22, 2024 12:13 pm
- Drives: 2003 automatic 1.4
- Location: Leeds
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littlepolo
- Gold Member
- Posts: 780
- Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2011 9:47 pm
Re: Automatic gearbox issues
Odometer reading?
"I don't know what they did" - ask for a detailed description of work done
"complete gearbox refurbishment" - ask for a detailed description of work done
transmission oil = ATF (automatic transmission fluid) - what specification was used?
there are multiple ways to 'replace' the ATF - which method was used? Was the strainer/ATF filter changed?
"I don't know what they did" - ask for a detailed description of work done
"complete gearbox refurbishment" - ask for a detailed description of work done
transmission oil = ATF (automatic transmission fluid) - what specification was used?
there are multiple ways to 'replace' the ATF - which method was used? Was the strainer/ATF filter changed?
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Trevthedancer
- New
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Mon Jan 22, 2024 12:13 pm
- Drives: 2003 automatic 1.4
- Location: Leeds
Re: Automatic gearbox issues
All good questions.
The only one i can really answer for now is the odometer reading, which is just over 70k.
I'll have to chase up regarding the details of the refurb, but my understanding is that they took the gearbox out, took it apart, checked all of the components, and put it back together. The garage i used was recommended by the vw specialist garage in my area, and was the only one in the area that had the specific tool required to get into the gear box.
The only one i can really answer for now is the odometer reading, which is just over 70k.
I'll have to chase up regarding the details of the refurb, but my understanding is that they took the gearbox out, took it apart, checked all of the components, and put it back together. The garage i used was recommended by the vw specialist garage in my area, and was the only one in the area that had the specific tool required to get into the gear box.
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littlepolo
- Gold Member
- Posts: 780
- Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2011 9:47 pm
Re: Automatic gearbox issues
The only symptoms I've experienced remotely like what you have described relate to ATF level (low). I had a longstanding issue from under 50,000 miles (IIRC) where shifts, particularly from stop/crawl, and forward to reverse were delayed, often resulting in a clunk. I found a few other odd (unrelated) issues that made me wonder if my Polo was a Friday afternoon job, so I would not rule anything out.
I would make a distinction for automatic transmissions which are very different from a manual gearbox and it seems you engaged a specialist for the former. With my limited understanding, ATF fluid pressure is required for shifts to work and if your fluid is low or shift solenoids, sensors, etc. do not detect it then shifts will be adversely affected. If the whole transmission was indeed replaced that points to a possible control system issue and that should be flagged by a fault code. There is a module/sub-menu on the proper VAG diagnostic software to investigate that.
A blocked strainer/pickup tube inside the transmission housing could cause such symptoms but I rule that out if the transmission was replaced. The only other thing I can think of is a possible fault with the shift lever/mechanism. It's not too difficult to remove the shift know and the panel covering the mechanism for visual inspection (though I'd expect the specialist to have done that).
I would make a distinction for automatic transmissions which are very different from a manual gearbox and it seems you engaged a specialist for the former. With my limited understanding, ATF fluid pressure is required for shifts to work and if your fluid is low or shift solenoids, sensors, etc. do not detect it then shifts will be adversely affected. If the whole transmission was indeed replaced that points to a possible control system issue and that should be flagged by a fault code. There is a module/sub-menu on the proper VAG diagnostic software to investigate that.
A blocked strainer/pickup tube inside the transmission housing could cause such symptoms but I rule that out if the transmission was replaced. The only other thing I can think of is a possible fault with the shift lever/mechanism. It's not too difficult to remove the shift know and the panel covering the mechanism for visual inspection (though I'd expect the specialist to have done that).