Hi,

My auto trans is making a loud thump-like noise when I put it in reverse. It does this when it's cold and this car recently (few months ago) had a full transmission service. Does that sound normal? This is a 96 A4 2.8L Q automatic with 120K miles. Also, how often should a transmission service be performed? Thanks...

 

its not normal at all have them check the fluid who ever did the service on the transmission it should be under their warranty

 

Agree. My tranny is now at 140K with no problems

 

Noise went away...no idea what's going.

 

I would typically recommend trans fluid , pan gasket and filter every 30k. On these cars look in your manual to be sure. The clunking is the tranny engaging, is it delayed then the clunk or is it immediate? I would have them check the fluid level, and if not that then it may be a dampener issue. See in a modern automatic transmission there are a series of dampener springs that help make shifting seem less harsh. If that spring has an issue it may cause something like this to happen.

 

I know have a slight leak in the transmission, so hopefully it's the fluid. I really don't want to get a new transmission!

 

well if its the dampeners usually its the seal for them and usually the trans doenst have to be removed to do these seals. But yes lets hope on a low fluid, and that the leak isnt coming from the bell housing cause then its a pump seal and the trans will have to come out then.

 

i have the 96 a4 quattro with 67k on it and serviced tranny when i bought at 65k because there was a busted seal and said might as well service it, but how loud was that noise mine makes a clunk sometimes putting into reverse and noticed a louder one on my mom's 2001 passat.

 

tranny mount maybe

 

I Had the same problem with My 98 A4 103K It was annoying. I took it to the stealership it turns out they had to tighten some bolts in the tranny. Cost $150