Hi everyone new to this forum. Bought an audi a4 automatic and this is the issue. Bought with 96000 miles currently has 102000. Went in car the other day put into drive and would not move. When I put car into 2nd to start out it goes and i can then put it into drive and it will drive fine. When I stop and put into drive to go it will not move but will start in 2nd. Is the tranny shot or is it a possible elecrical issue. Also is it alright to just start in 2nd then go to drive or will that take a toll also. Car is a 96. Any thoughts appreciated.

 

You might have the fluid level checked. Our cars use a special auto trans fluid. The car must be level and the trans at a specific temperature.

 

Maybe selenoids not hitting? i had the same problem and it would go into the safe mode i had to have a complete rebuild and depending on your tranny (fwd) (quatro) to have it rebuilt is going to be a pretty penny i had mine done for 4200 (tiptronic quatro).

 

That's a good (though troubling) data point. My boss just had his Mercedes transmission rebuilt for $3000.

Everyone: That fluid is NOT lifetime, no matter what VW, Audi, and ZF claim. Change the fluid at least every 100k km = 60k mi with the proper synthetic fluid. It's cheap insurance!

 

Yeah that is totally indicative of low fluid and oddly enough you can still drive it. Usually when it goes up through the gears (ie up to #4) but will not go forward after it stops, it does not come back down through the gears. I don't quite understand the principle behind why but it is pretty much enough pressure to go up, not enough to come back down or something. And then you tear everything to shreds without fluid too so you know.