Hi , have a 2002 audi a4 automatic cvt. My car was bucking(hard) at low speeds when starting from a stop. After it gets going drives great no bucking, only occurs from a stop and doesn't always occur. Also if I was going downhill the car didn't seem to downshift at times, the rpms would rev high, if I moved the shifter over to "manual" and move it back to automatic it would shift. The dealer told me it was the TCM. I got it replaced and less than a year later started having the same issue. Brought it back to the dealer and they told me it was the tcm again and replaced it free of charge. Just got it back and its doing the same thing 1 day after they replaced the tcm except that also when I put it in reverse sometimes it stalls out. While they were putting in the tcm they were also installing a heater core and flush. I brought it back in to the dealer last week and they told me it's the tcm again(3rd time). I asked them what keeps making the tcm go bad and they just said maybe its a bad batch of tcms. I find that hard to believe, any ideas what it could be? Should I have them check for any water leaks that could be getting to the tcm? I felt the passenger side floor and its wet but we have been getting a ton of snow here so that is prob from getting in and out of the car. My headliner is also dry. Maybe I have to pull the passenger side apart to check for leaks? The dealer needs to order the part again from Germany and when its in I'm bringing it back in again but I think the tcm is going to go bad again. Anything I should have them check. Thanks.

 

consistent tcm failure usually hints at a trans problem itself, not the tcm. suggest this, i have never heard of 3 tcms going bad consecutively

 

Get your transmission checked... I think is going out. How many miles on the car?

 

Thanks for the input everyone I really appreciate it. I have been suspecting that it's my trans. I have 225,000 miles on my 2002 Audi A4 CVT! I love the car, bought it brand new and it has been a wonderful car. I understand cvts aren't to popular here from what I've seen but from my personal experience I can't complain, hey it got me 225,000 :-). Not saying the cvt is for everyone but it has treated me good. Is that a record for cvt? The mechanics where I take my Audi say they never seen a cvt with that many miles. Maybe I should contact Audi and have them put him a commercial :-) Anyone know what I am looking at for a new trans, 6-7k? Thanks again for the responses.

 

225000 Miles!!!??? Wow! I think I'm going to post this on another forum! Do you have a secret on treating your transmission or just kept up the maintenance?

Anyways, the classifieds here or in Audizine.com have sometimes whole car part outs, you might get lucky. If not just try to get it rebuilt, it might be the best way to go.

 

Hi Dan,

Thanks for the info! I haven't done any treatement or maintenance on the transmission. The first thing I had to do to the trans was the tcm at about 220,000 miles. Other than that I keep up on oil changes, tune ups, changed the timing belt twice for preventive maintenance, brakes etc., changed the recalled coils. The only main problems I have had have been the tcm, heater issue with you guys have been great and helped me out, now if only my dealer could learn how to do a flush correctly to fix the heater issue :-) and I needed to replace the cat convertor. The car is stock I haven't made any modifications to it since I bought it. Thanks again!

 

WOW. if you would have stated the car had that many miles on it, i would have right off the bat said it was trans failure, no doubt about it. for how much ppl bash on the cvt, yours is a champ. now i have a feeling that dan is going to go post this on AZ :P hahaha

 

Shh he ought too. I never seen a cvt go that many miles. Nor to many tip audis go that long. a++ for you sir!

 

Thanks everyone just wanted to send an update. Audi was still insisiting that I didn't need to replace the entire transmission. (I tend to not agree with that) They recently replaced the hydraulic valve body and drained the transmission fluid and the issue has gotten better. So far in a week I got two bucks from a stop but nothing else, theres definitly a difference for the better. Audi told me if I am not satisfied they will replace the transmission and give me credit for the money I spent on the valve body towards the new transmisson. So I need to make a decision. I got well over 200,000 miles on the original CVT and still have the original engine. This car has been very good to me. I will purchase another car but will keep this as my "project/sleeper" car. Anyone have any suggestions as to how to go about this? Any mods, high performace engine or transmissions, links etc? If I'm going to replace the trans I don't want to waste money and do it the wrong way and later on put in a upgraded engine/turbo that the trans can't handle, etc. It's a 2002 A4 1.8T all original. Sorry if I should have created a new post for this. Thanks.

 

The transmission will not handly mods on your CVT. If I were you I'd just fix it and continue to use it until the engine completely gives or the tranny does, then sell it as parts. A lot of body parts and interior replacement parts are usually in demand.