I just, and I mean JUST recently started noticing it with my ride. Say, like, within the last 2k miles; so about a month-ish. FTR, I don't often have cause to park on an incline and, since I noticed the prob I try to avoid it totally. I just went over 60k, last week.

Gonna try and roll the timing belt, tranny service, and now, based on what 51timber just posted, replace the MAF's, as a further precaution... all into a 60k service trip around mid June.

 

I found the problem with my shifter on the 01 8L sticking. I noticed after my wife drove it last that the hard transition from park was gone. I was supprised to look down and see that now the plastic corrigated boot that rides up and down with the shifter is no longer there. She apperantly was shifting and put some extra muscle into it and now it shifts perfect again, just missing the plastic boot. I hope that your problem is as easy to fix, I am sure this will be a cheaper part to replace than anything actually involving the tranny, Let me know if you have any luck.

Brian

[IMG]local://upfiles/4165/85873BEF280B489980AC28B4F9BA5DBD.jpg[/IMG]

 

I have an 2000 A8 4.2, 44K mi, with a transmission that has a very rough down shift from 2nd into 1st on coast down, a discernable "clunk" that has been getting worse, and which now no doubt stresses the entire driveline. On one occasion, in 2nd or 3rd gear during coast down mode (about 20 mph), I accelerated hard, and the transmission suddently went out of gear. Otherwise the transmission opeates correctly. I visited the audi dealor, and turns out the transmission was leaking and low on fluid (though no fluid on garage floor), and the filter was dirty, so filter and fluid were replaced under warranty, but no chang in behavior or transmission.
Anyone else experiencing similar problems (trans leaking, hard shifting, trasnmission dis-engaging under hard acceleration at low speed)? Any experience in dealing with Audi USA on transmission warranty?

Thanks.

 

Newbie,

I traded my '97 A8 for just that reason. My local Audi dealer (Audi of Charlotte) told me that he had seen this issue in maybe 5 A8's which is a lot seeing as how so few of these cars are on the road. I was told Audi was aware of the issue but not enough to make it a repair/warranty item.

My '97 A8 had right at 90K miles and I was told the tranny could go in 6 months or two years but it was ultimately going to need repairs/replacement. To replace the thing was around $8K.

Above 50 it was fine but from 25 to 50 it constantly wanted to switch from 4th to 5th. I started dropping it into 4th when in traffic and that made the car less annoying but i did just recently purchase a '01 A8L with only 67K miles for $22,900 and love it.

Stephen

 

Yes my 1997 A8 was doing the same thing...and unfortunatly it dosent get any better, for me it was the torque converter, a common problem in the 97's, rebuild was $2600, BTW my tranny was non tip, as is all 97's if im correct, just drive it nice and dont let it fall in and out of gear, and you will be able to get a few more miles out of it.
good luck to all of you

 

51timber, how much did replacing the two air flow sensors set you back by?

My 99 A8 with 67K is also showing some signs of hunting for gears between 30-50mph sometimes, but aside from that it doesnt do anything other weird stuff.

 

Hi every one i just thought you should know some important info…

I have a 1999 Audi A8 with about 70000 miles on it and the transmission was having some of the same problems you were all talking about. I took it to Audi and they told me that if the problems persist to take it to a local trans shop. I waited a little while and ended taking it to Ammco. By then they said I needed a rebuild costing me about $5000 and said it was due to the fluid not being changed. They let me take pictures and such because it was really bad. I tried to contact Audi because it is supposed to be a lifetime fluid. They told me there wasn’t enough complaints to them and that they would not take any action in the matter. The best thing I can tell you is to get the fluid changed every 30000 like every other car. That should really take care of most of the hard shifting. Audi wanted to charge about 500 bucks to change the fluid, even though they didn’t recommend it. I just need some feedback on the matter because I want audi to pay for at least some of the cost because the trans should not go bad because of the pump getting clogged with debris.

 

that sucks man i guess the only thing you can try and do is take legal action and get a damn good lawyer lol

 

These ZF trannys suck. Bad design and poor quality. Good luck with AoA, the claim to know nothing of our problems. Sometimes a fluid and filter change will help it, but if you do your first fluid change at 100K miles you'll probably make it worse.

The hunting, I believe, is the valve body wearing out. Mine is tolerable in Tip but I know others have just as bad in Tip.

The thumping is the torque converter unlocking violently. After my fluid/filter change it went away.

The only way is fix this is to rebuild the tranny, torque converter and valve body. I'm hoping to convince my friend to put in a 6 speed S4 manual in mine.

 

So i was wondering if there is any one else that wants to join in legal action against Audi for transmission repairs. Let me know if your willing.