Hi guys, new to this forum. I have a '99 A4 and recently it has been acting really strange, and I just found out why. I had the car at my mechanic for almost a week and he couldn't figure out what it was, but the transmission place I took it to after figured it out. The car would run fine in park, but the second I would put it in drive it would stall. When my mechanic had it raised, he could do 90+ and the car would run fine. So I was thinking that it might be a sensor or something. Well, I took it over to the transmission place and they checked it out and said that the transmission computer under the driver seat was flooded (since we got a lot of rain in Cali recently). He said that a new one would cost $1500 or more. Does anybody have any suggestions on what I should do? I mean $1500 from a dealer is steep. Is it possible to get a used one? Also, what is it called? It's not the ECU, is it? Where should I go to look for one? EBay? Classifieds here? Any and all help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

That is a crazy problem...

The transmission computer under the driver seat eh? Sounds like an exceptional line of BS to me. What kind of transmission do you have? That price sounds like an ECU price. ebay might have one..you need to match the ECU number though. I think APR sells them. Check www.goapr.com Don't know how you would flood your ecu short of taking it for a swim.. Sorry I'm not much help on this.

-T

 

look for one in a junk yard or on ebay

 

Automatic with Tiptronic Transmission. goapr.com sells the ECU upgrades, but not the ECU itself.

 

shaksan auto or dads auto for salvage audi parts.

I'd have someone check for codes with a vagcom before putting down $$$$.

 

I've heard the term TCU thrown around on forums. Does that stand for Transmission Control Unit? Anybody have any idea where it is located and how much it costs to replace? I can't find any sites that have prices for OEM Audi parts. Do any of these exist?

 

Yes, you must call them to find out prices on spare ECU's, they list on the bottom of their upgrade pages that they also sell spare ECU's for people who would like to swap their chipped ECU in and out.

I would go to www.shokan.com and find their telephone number, call them up and ask if they've ever heard of anything like a transmission computer under the drivers seat. They'll be able to tell you as well as quote you a price. Have you asked your audi dealer if there is such a thing? Having your car VAGed is also a great idea, if your ECU is malfunctioning then a VAG should throw error codes...but this is the first thing your dealer should do when you bring the car in...

-T

 

UPDATE:

I called up the dealer and they told me it was the Automatic Transmission Control Unit. They quoted me $1300. Part # 8D0927156BN. Does anybody know where I could find a decent price on this part other than through the dealer? Thanks.

 

Call shokan and get a used one.

-T

 

Before you buy anything, confirm the codes using a vagcom.