T5 Auto flaring after service

[Tornado T5]

Sometimes the old adage, “if it ‘aint broke, don’t fix it” should be obeyed.

As some might know I had my auto box serviced at my choice at 60K and now I have the occasional flaring on the 2-3 change and less so on the 3-4 change. It’s not doing it every time and more so on light, mid throttle pressure, never when foot to the floor. I actually think it’s also lost some of the general smoothness as well. Once the flaring made me look down thinking I had knocked it into neutral for a split second.

I’ve tried the reset as described in another thread ( key to on, press throttle to floor, hold 15 secs, lift slowly, key off, restart and it didn’t seem to make much difference as the flaring is not consistent. I am wondering what some think could have “gone wrong” before I call the dealer and see what they say/do.

I should add, at the same time a drive shaft was replaced under warranty. And it cost $256.20 for the ATF auto fluid G055025A2 (6 litres apparently)

[Transporter]

Take it to the dealer if it is still under the warranty.
If it was me, I would take a sample of the ATF and had it analyzed before it goes to the dealer.
Unlike engine oils the different brands of transmission fluids shouldn't be mixed together and the same apply to gear oils. If they charge you for 6 L of ATF one would think that they flushed the transmission completely.

Let us know what it was and good luck with the fix.

[Deeceer]

Can't say I know much about modern autos but I seem to recall the old Ford C4 boxes would flare if the ATF was wrong.

[Tornado T5]

Update: Dealer asked me to pop in for a quick check this afternoon, ran diagnostic, no errors, reset software and asked me to keep a watch and call back asap.

Literally taking off from dealership driveway and 1-2 change OK, 2-3 and it flares over 1000rpm and slams into 3rd as though I had driven over a log with a hard jolt. U-turn back and pick up serviceman who then proceeds to roadtest.....luckily for me, it repeats flaring and violent gear changing far more regularly then even before I had brought it in.

It's now booked for this Monday where they will load an online available software, ( I was told this takes longer to undertake) followed by roadtest and see what happens. Being the inquistive type I asked what the steps would be should software upgrade not fix the problem?

A couple of possibilities which would also involve VW Aust. Might ask to replace control modules upto possible replacement of gearbox, not with a brand new one it would seem. I drove it back home (35km) using manual mode as this seems to keep flaring to minimum.

I'll let you know what transpires after this Monday.

[Tornado T5]

Update 2: While driving to dealership this morning, a 35km drive, with gearbox still flaring mainly on 3-4, 4-5 changes , it decided to go into limp home mode about 500m before dealership. I've never experienced this before. I suddenly felt loss of power and van seemed stuck in a single gear. The display in the bottom of the trip comp. went all red in backround for the gear selector display, with dark lettering for the gear characters. It wouldn't display which gear I was driving in or when I selected reverse when parking at the service area. I left it running so the staff could look at the display. It did reset on restart afterwards and I'm told an error code was logged although I didn't find out what it was when I was called late this afternoon.

To top this off, the dealership suffered a failure of their online connection for 3 hours and they couldn't complete the software upgrades before close of business. For some reason they were doing an engine software upgrade as well. Not sure why.

Anyway I brought home the 64kW diesel power monster loaner , and can't wait to get back my red baby.

[Tornado T5]

Update 3: Gearbox will be replaced next Tuesday as latest software upgrades (apparently downloaded directly from Germany) couldn't fix flaring. Everything else checks out perfectly leaving the control unit within the gearbox I have told. Expensive fix I would hazard so thankfully fully covered by warranty.

Might investigate an extended warranty for post July 2010 me thinks if I don't replace the van.

[Tornado T5]

Update 4: Gearbox replacement finished and new wheel alignment as A-frame needs dropping during changeover. So far so good...fingers crossed.

PS. Having returned Caddy loaner with 6 speed DSG and then jumped into my T5, I much prefer driving the T5. If I didn't already own a T5 I would love the Caddy. However the DSG box is better then the T5's A6. Generally smoother across the range although it takes a while to get used to the fact it engages first when you lift your foot off the brake and so doesn't creep forward instantly the way the T5's traditional auto box does. In fact it rolls back ever so slightly just the way a manual box will until clutch take-up. A seven speed DSG would be fabulous in the T5 update.