Gearbox problem?

thedoc46 · 21 Oct 2010 at 19:06

I have an Audi A4 cab 1.8T with only 36k on the clock...

Today while driving down the road, the car just jumped out of gear, no clunking noise or anything, just as if it went into neutral. I moved the stick from Drive to Sport and back to drive and the drive re-engaged itself. (yeah yeah it's an automatic, but i live in the USA and manual's are unsellable for resale, so I'm forgiven)

Anyway, a few moments ago while pulling into my parking garage at work, it done it again, though this time, i was unable to use any method to get it going again. Sport or Tip-Tonic shifting. I actually just rolled to a stop.. I turned off the engine and for about 10 secs it wouldn't even allow me to start the engine, (perhaps thinking the gear stick wasn't in park ?) Anyway then it started after a few tries and I managed to get the car parked into its parking space..

Any idea's what it could be?

Rilot · 21 Oct 2010 at 23:16

Sounds like the box is shot to me. Any weirdness with auto boxes is usually symptomatic of a shafted box.

Biohazard · 22 Oct 2010 at 00:03

36k on the box?

I'd be dropping it off where you bought it and telling them that's pretty crap going, even for VAG

thedoc46 · 22 Oct 2010 at 02:10

I'm thinking the box is not shafted.. Since there's no mechanical issue.. I'm thinking that whatever controls the shifting is shafted.. Done it again on my way home. Possibly a sensor or solenoid? I don't know i was hoping there was a mechanic in here. I've had the car for over 3yrs now so no taking it back to where I bought it, and its no longer under the manufactuers warranty.

Rilot · 22 Oct 2010 at 10:39

Could be, but without knowing the specifics of whether it's a mechanical shift link or electronic, it's hard to diagnose.
The box on my A8 failed in a similar way at 10k miles. Needed a new box to sort.

Biohazard · 22 Oct 2010 at 10:46

This problem can be caused both mechanically and with the electronic control system on the box.

It's going to need non-internet diagnosis.

thedoc46 · 22 Oct 2010 at 15:11

Rilot said:
Could be, but without knowing the specifics of whether it's a mechanical shift link or electronic, it's hard to diagnose.
The box on my A8 failed in a similar way at 10k miles. Needed a new box to sort.

10k HOLY MOLY.... Horror stories like this are not doing me any favors right now.. Car is at garage now getting some diagnostics. They say it sounds like an electrical issue by what i'm describing... Gave a ballpark of $160 plus labor if its a failing solenoid.