Posting in the A6 section as well (general tech previously).
New to the forum and just purchased a 2000 A6 4.2L auto with almost 70k miles from an auction. I put the car in Reverse and I did not feel any engagement of the tranny at all and gave gas and the car acts like it in in neutral. I've read thru some of the previous posts and from what I've learned so far is that it could be the Valve body or Reverse Drum or just require a whole tranny rebuild. So my question is, how would you determine if its the valve body and not the whole tranny? Also what are the signs of a reverse drum?
Unfortunately at this point, I cannot drive it because the I don't have the new title yet and DMV will want to inspect it as it carries a Salvage title from being vandalized.
Thanks in advance for any assistance.

 

Vandalized. Hmm... Maybe they stole reverse

 

But more seriously, get a VAG-COM and do a scan. There is a good chance it will tell you the problem.

 

Thanks for the response.
Do I need to take it to a mechanic for that? The problem is that I can't drive it until the issue is fixed and it passes DMV in order to get registered

I am guessing its some sort of diagnostic tool. If someone out there has one, can I borrow it or rent it? I am located in Palo Alto CA.

 

VAG-COM is a diagnostic tool made by Ross-Tech in the US. It consists of an OBDII cable and software. If you plan to own an older Audi it will pay for itself (~$350) many times over.

 

The vag-com from Ross-tech is on my list, but I've been using the cheapy ebay ones for my 2001 A6 Avant and it is getting the codes I need just fine.

 

Thanks for the info. I have inquired about one from some friends and should be able to borrow one. Will give it a try. I don't plan on keeping this car so don't really want to invest in one. I will post the results of the tests in case it helps anyone else.

 

So I ran the VAG-COM diagnostics and the transmission portion of the check did not return any fault codes so not sure what else may be going on here

Here are the results. Sorry for the long thread:
VCDS Version: Release 12.12.0 (x64)
Data version: 20130910
Saturday,05,October,2013,11:01:09:40880
Chassis Type: 4B - Audi A6 C5 (1998 > 2006)
Scan: 01 02 03 06 08 15 16 17 18 22 34 35 36 37 45 55 56 57 65 67 75 76 77
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 01: Engine Labels: None
Part No: 4D0 907 558 S
Component: 4.2L V8/5V 01 0008
Coding: 06652
Shop #: WSC 42286
VCID: 3D71ED2D37EE1EF6BF5-5124
3 Faults Found:
17521 - Oxygen (Lambda) Sensor; B1 S1
P1113 - 35-10 - Internal Resistance too High - Intermittent
17539 - Oxygen (Lambda) Sensor; B2 S1
P1131 - 35-10 - Internal Resistance too High - Intermittent
17549 - Load Calculation Cross Check
P1141 - 35-00 - Implausible Value
Readiness: 0000 0000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 02: Auto Trans Labels: 01L-927-156.lbl
Part No: 4B0 927 156 BS
Component: AG5 01L 4.2l5V USA 1414
Coding: 00002
Shop #: WSC 02325
VCID: 79F9393D6346E2D6D3D-5142
No fault code found.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 03: ABS Brakes Labels: 8E0-614-111-EDS.lbl
Part No: 8E0 614 111 A
Component: ABS/EDS 5.3 QUATTRO D10
Shop #: BB 24334
VCID: 1C3700A98C3477FE68B-5142
No fault code found.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 08: Auto HVAC Labels: 4B0-820-043-MY1.lbl
Part No: 4B0 820 043 K
Component: A6-Klimavollautomat D64
Coding: 00180
Shop #: WSC 02325
VCID: 224B3E51AE50410EA27-258E
No fault code found.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 15: Airbags Labels: 4B0-959-655-AI8.lbl
Part No: 4B0 959 655 F
Component: Airbag Front+Kopf 0002
Coding: 00404
Shop #: WSC 02324
VCID: 3365CB1501AAD886591-5142
No fault code found.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 16: Steering wheel Labels: 4B0-907-487.lbl
Part No: 4B0 907 487
Component: E Lenkrad Elektronik D03
VCID: E9D9E97D93E6D256A3D-4B82
1 Fault Found:
01426 - Controls in Steering Wheel (E221)
49-00 - No Communications
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 17: Instruments Labels: 4B0-920-xxx-17.lbl
Part No: 4B0 920 980 M
Component: C5-KOMBIINSTR. VDO D09
Coding: 03283
Shop #: WSC 00000
VCID: 2F6DC765ED82FC663D9-5124
No fault code found.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 35: Centr. Locks Labels: 4B0-962-258.lbl
Part No: 4B0 962 258 J
Component: Central Lock/Alarm D33
Coding: 15885
Shop #: WSC 02325
VCID: 306FC419F0BCE39E243-4EB4
11 Faults Found:
01366 - Opened Due to Crash Signal
35-00 - -
01371 - Alarm triggered by Door Contact Switch; Driver's Side
35-00 - -
01572 - Alarm triggered by Door Contact Switch; Passenger Side
35-00 - -
01374 - Alarm triggered by Terminal 15
35-00 - -
01370 - Alarm triggered by Interior Monitoring
35-00 - -
01369 - Alarm triggered by Hood Switch
35-00 - -
01368 - Alarm triggered by Luggage Compartment Switch
35-00 - -
00955 - Key 1
09-10 - Adaptation Limit Surpassed - Intermittent
00956 - Key 2
09-10 - Adaptation Limit Surpassed - Intermittent
01574 - Alarm triggered by Door Contact Switch; Rear Right
35-00 - -
01573 - Alarm triggered by Door Contact Switch; Rear Left
35-00 - -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 36: Seat Mem. Drvr Labels: None
Part No: 4B0 959 760 A
Component: Sitzmemory D05
VCID: 2B55D375D99A8046111-4AEC
No fault code found.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 45: Inter. Monitor Labels: 4B0-951-178.lbl
Part No: 4B0 951 178 A
Component: Innenraumueberw. D04
Coding: 00101
Shop #: WSC 02325
VCID: 26432241C278BD2ECEF-522E
2 Faults Found:
01349 - Alarm via Theft Warning System; Front
35-00 - -
01350 - Alarm via Theft Warning System; Rear
35-00 - -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 55: Xenon Range Labels: 4B0-907-357-DYN.lbl
Part No: 4B0 907 357 B
Component: dynamische LWR D03
Coding: 00020
Shop #: WSC 02325
VCID: 275D2F45C572A426F59-4B06
No fault code found.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 56: Radio Labels: 8D0-035-1xx-56.lbl
Part No: 4B0 035 195 A
Component: Radio D00
Coding: 00017
Shop #: WSC 42010
VCID: 1E330AA19A2865EE86F-4B38
2 Faults Found:
00855 - Connection to CD changer
49-00 - No Communications
65535 - Internal Control Module Memory Error
00-00 - -
End ---------------------------------------------------------------------