I have a 1996 A6 quattro that won't move when I put it in drive 3rd or 2nd. If I put it in low it will move. Once I start moving I can move it up to drive and it will shift through 2nd 3rd and drive ok. When I slow down it will downshift as far as second. When it goes to downshift to 1st it just slips. So far I've changed the trans ecu,the range switch and the valve body all were used but supposedly good parts. There are no codes set either. Anybody have any ideas before I replace the trans?Thanks.

 

Assuming you have doubled checked the fluid level...I was about 1/2 qt low after a fluid change and had some slipping/hesitation going into 3rd. It was a '97 A6 Avant, so its hard to check without a dipstick!

Procedure is to fill it up...put the bolt back on...start the car...and fill it up again. Try to make sure the car is level when you are down there. I think that was my initial problem; car was slightly slanted although it was up on 4 jack stands, I did not compensate for the slight incline. Used a level the next time and got it right!

 

I topped off the fluid figuring that might have been the problem but it was not. I put several thousand miles on it when I bought it and it was fine. Shifted perfectly,then one day no low gear. I'm wondering if it may have something wrong mechanically instead of electronically. It was low almost two quarts when it first acted up but it still shifted fine if I put it in low to start off despite that fact.