After having my transmission overhauled and a rebuilt torque converter installed I am having drive-ability problems. When I start out driving cold, the transmission has difficulty getting into 2nd gear. I might drive for 200-300 feet and then it will shift and the problem is gone. This happened to the transmission before it was rebuilt and I drove it for about 40,000miles, but this is really not my problem.

When I start driving it runs kind of rough with some vibration until I get the R's up it will smooth out. It does this for about 7-10 miles and it begins to run better at 55mph &>.
When I slow down it still is rough although it is better. I believe that the shifting problem when cold is a red herring and is not my main problem. I have not driven the car much since my mechanic told me what he thought the problem was, but I intend to drive it more to see if I can give you more information the more it is driven.

Before anyone says something about the engine, it checked out, running fine on my Vag-Com as well as my mechanic's. He has told me what he believes it to be, but I would like to hear from the wise people on this forum.

I realize that this post is not about squeezing the last BHP out of a 2.7T, but most of you have a Tip Transmission so give me a hand on this one!

 

the shifting issues sounds like its the torque converter. the other issue sounds exactly like when my buddies transfer case in his evo went.

 

Thanks for your reply Fonzo. My plan is to take it back to my tranny re-builder as he was the last to touch the tranny/TC and see what he thinks. BTW the tranny shifts as it should and works in the manual mode as well as auto.

 

all TIPS hold their 1st-2nd shift longer than you would think is normal, but it is normal. It is done for emissions reasons. It warms the engine/cats faster for emissions standards. Different transmission fluids also seem to make a difference. Most of the time I just shift it into 2nd for my car if I feel it's holding it too long.

 

The vibration problem that you are experiencing could be a lot of things - too many for us to diagnose here with the little information given. Have you taken it back to the transmission shop and asked them to look at it?

Bob

 

That is my next step Bob. I drove it more today and the vibration subsides when it is warm (up to operating temperature) but is worse when I stop at a light. If I put the tranny in neutral there is no vibration. In gear it vibrates going away from the light, but subsides when I give it some gas and is not very noticeable when going at speed (40-50mph) I am suspecting the Torque Converter, but am open to suggestions.

 

Bad TC would also be my guess. But, why guess? Take it in....

Bob

 

Although not Audi-specific, the following information pertains to ZF Tcs: