Greetings all,
I am looking for a little advice on a re-occuring problem I've been having. The problem always happens when the engine is COLD. When I got shift out of park into reverse the gear indicator on the dash will either completely disappear, or be super slow into selecting the gear and then all the PRNDS will light up(solid not flashing) and the car will go into limp mode undriveable. Usually the when I restart the car the issue goes away. Then when I shift from reverse to neutral the dash indicator will jump between park and neutral a couple of times, and the surefooted light on the shifter sounds like the magnets are making alot of noise when it engages/disengages when I tap the breaks.

I brought it to a mechanic and he got the p17090 code. He said he checked the connection on the range sensor and it was at proper ohms, and didn't see an issue with the TCM. Said I was low on fluid and had a small leak, so I filled her up and got it all done. Drove great for a week and now I'm back at the original problem.

my question is, is it the TCM, or could it be another issue with the range sensor/neutral switch. And why does restarting the car "fix" the issue I'm having?

any feedback is greatly welcome, I just did the timing belt/serpentine. Not really in a position to keep throwing money at the problem and would rather not junk it since all the recent work done on it. But this issue is rather frustrating, thinking about bringing it to the stealership..

2002 a4 1.8t quattro 126,XXX

Thanks,
Chris

 

Update

the problem only happens when I shift first into reverse, it won't select the gear on the dash and then a couple seconds later it will lock into safe mode and with PRNDS all lit up. Like it can't find or select the gear. If I start it and shift right into drive it will be fine and then after driving it go into reverse no problem
any ideas??
thanks

 

This is where VCDS/VAG-COM would be a big help. If the range switch is misbehaving, there will be a fault code for that. There may be other fault codes, since limp mode means the TCM found a problem. Could be electrical connection at the TCM or at the transmission connector.

 

There may be other fault codes, since limp mode means the TCM found a problem. Could be electrical connection at the TCM or at the transmission connector.