I still havent had a chance to pull the TCM out yet. The weather here yesterday was not working a car friendly. So I took the car to work today and noticed after getting on the freeway that I don't believe I have a 4th and 5th gear either. Because at 60 MPH the car was running at about 3500 RPM. So I jumped off the freeway and took the back roads to work.

But I stopped at the parts store I ALWAYS deal with with this A4. They always have everything that I need at really GREAT prices (almost half of what the dealer and other stores charge). However.... I asked them if they could scan it for me but they didnt have a VAG COM. I also asked them how much a new TCM for my car would be and they told me that they don't carry them and cant get them.

I need a cheap place either on-line or not to get one (I dont know if I need one yet, but want to be prepared). Also can I get one from a wrecking yard out of another B5 A4? I've heard that the TCM has to be matched to your car perfectly. That options you have wont work right if the TCM isnt configured for them. Is this true?

Also still looking for someone in the Portland, Oregon area with a VAG COM.

Thanks!

 

Ok.... so last night I FINALLY got a chance to pull the TCM out of my car. It was surprisingly easy to get to and get out of the car.

I noticed that it didnt seem to have any water sitting in there.... and the TCM looked like it was dry and no signs of water damage. Someone tole me that it might still have water that leaked inside and I should open it up and look. However I'm affraid that IF this TCM is able to be saved that opening it will be a bad idea. Do you think that this one could be fixed?

And I've been searching online for a replacement but still not sure if I have to match the part number EXACTLY. Or if I just get one out of an identical car will that work just fine?

I believe the part number on mine is "8Do 927 156 L" Any translation?

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE ADVICE AND HELP! I Didnt drive my car today and am missing it terribly.

 

It wont hurt to open it, just be careful with it when you open it. Nothing bad would happen unless u dropped it or shocked it with static electricity. There is still a good possibility it isnt the TCU, thats why a VAG is needed.

 

damn.... Ok. I need to find someone with a VAG. I called my local shop that I always deal with for general repairs and kind of laughed at me when I asked him if you had VAG COM. Is there a place like AutoZone or something that can scan it? And once I get it scanned is there someone on here that can translate the codes for me once I do get it scanned?

 

Well you can take your car to AutoZone or Advance and they'll use a OBDII scanner (they prolly don't have VagCom either). Unfortunately those things aren't as sweet as VagCom. Sometimes the ECU throws codes w/o a CEL, so it might be worth tryin anyway.

I believe you can download a free version of VagCom but don't quote me on that, I haven't looked in quite a while.If you have a lap top that might work but it's almost always worth the investment to buy the stuff, you're almost definitely gonna need it again

 

Yeah the autozone one is only good for scanning engine codes and some engine measuring blocks, nothing else.. I think there is a trial for VAG, i think it will show all of the codes, it will just lack the descriptions, there might be more to it though id check the website, youd still need to buy a cable though.

 

Did you ever get a resolve for your problem?