2003 TT 1.8 (not quattro) with 6-spd DSG trans (daughter's car) 92k mi

Had some shifting issues a few months back & decided (based on advice here and elsewhere) to perform routine trans maintenance -fluid & filter change. Bought the trans service kit from Blauparts (corect fluid, filter, gasket). Couldn't find any info anywhere on specific procedures for drain & fill so decided to go it alone. Pullled "drain plug" and got about a quart of fluid out. Dropped pan & got another 3 quarts (measured this carefully afterward).

Replaced filter, cleaned sludge from pan & magnets and put everything back. Noted tube in "drain plug" hole that prevented drainage.

I'd also replaced the starter, so the battery was out of the car for about 48 hours -all electronics should have reset.

Now, what to do about filling up? With total absence of any useful data either here, on any suppliers' site (including Blauparts) or on the alldata site available to me through AKO, I decided to fake it. I knew I'd drained four quarts, so needed to put about 4 quarts back. Pulled a plug from the end of the trans to act as overflow gauge; i'd noted this was right at top of fluid level on a previous check.

Found filler plug on top of trans (near where shifter connects) - used it & a trans filler funnel to add about 5 liters of fluid. Extra to account for spillage. Buttoned everything up, took it for a test drive. Worked fine for about 6 miles (right up till it got up to temp). At that point i was following a slow vehicle, almost coasting. When they turned off, I tried to accelerate - nothing. I heard a single "beep" from the console (but no message on screen), engine revved, but trans was disengaged. I pulled off, turned the car off & restarted. Got it to engage well enough to get back to house.

I remembered a thread here that mentioned the "drain plug" was actually a filller plug and level limiter. So I pulled the drain plug & it drained about 2 1/4 quarts of fluid. Replaced plug, tried driving again. Same result as before, maybe a little worse. Runs OK until it gets up to temp, then disengages (seems to begin when downshifting). This time I also got a Check Engine light, and the engine stopped accelerating. It would idle, no more.

Back to the house again (slowly), checked the code - P0733 "Gear 3 incorrect ratio". When I cleared the code the engine started working right again. But trans still doesn't engage.

Vehicle was level every time I checked fluid levels.

I suspect I'm now too low on fluid - but no idea how to get it right

Questions:

1) Is it posasible I overfilled initially?
2) If so, would that cause the shift issue I've described?
3) Have I now drained too much out (I suspect this is true)?
4) How do I get the level right without spending $hundreds at a dealership (and driving/towing 100 mi)?
5) Are there other considerations I'm overlooking? Seems fluid level should be simple; I absolutely don't get why this is such a hassle.
6) Have I possibly caused long-term damage?

 

Says you remove drain plug which is on the bottom of transmission. Then remove the inspection plug and overflow pipe which is also on the bottom... looks like it's on the pan? Then it says to put those back together and fill it from the fill plug which is up higher until it emerges from the overflow pipe via inspection hole then put it together. Then, start the car let it run a few seconds and then top it off again. Put it back together then start it again, le tit run in P,N,R,S for at least 3 seconds each. Top it off again and you're done. That sounds like a pain... just from reading it. I do not have an automatic so this is all the help I can be.

 

it's Official - trans is shot.
Wife had the car towed to an imports service center for a full once-over. They said they can't find anything wrong with the car except the trans needs replaced. They offered to do the job for $4000; they don't rebuild on site, (don't have all the specialized tools to do it) just get a remanned unit & replace.

I'm taking the car back this week, trading for a Chevy and _NEVER_ buying another Audi, VW, Fiat, etc etc again. My chevy pickup ran for 23 years/290 k miles and in its entire life didn't give me the hassle I've had with this Audi POS in only 2 years.

Bottom Line - AUDIS SUCK!!!!