[V6-12v] '96 A6 Automatic Transmission Shifting Problem - ABS SafeMode

[Ivan Tuma]

thanks for the input Jon,

I think this beyond fluid type - yes it was the proper $17/quart 
synthetic fluid. I had an Audi shop do it. I'm just giving up and 
putting the car up for sale at the local salvage auction - Klodes. I 
already have too much $$$$ in it to play around with this problem any 
more. If I had a used $200 valve body from a core transmission - I would 
definitely try a swap. I think the valve body got warped as a result of 
running over a large rock and denting in the pan.

Ivan

Jon Spensko wrote:

>Ivan,
>Did you use the AUDI spec fluid when you filled her back up?  These ZF's
>don't like anything but that expensive elixir!
>It is going into "SAFE" mode because it is noticing a fault of some kind. 
>That is all I have to offer right now.  My ZF mis shifted from 2nd to 3rd
>until I replaced the fluid.  If you have to do that, make sure they pump
>the torque converter dry.
>
>Jon Spensko
>1992 100S  242,000 MI
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>>[Original Message]
>>From: Ivan Tuma <ituma at ix.netcom.com>
>>To: <v6-12v at audifans.com>
>>Date: 1/11/2005 10:14:22 AM
>>Subject: [V6-12v] '96 A6 Automatic Transmission Shifting Problem - ABS
>>    
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>SafeMode
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>>Howdy from Denver,
>>Just wondering if any ZF auto transmission experts out there have a clue 
>>about the following problem ...
>>
>>I recently bought a rolled '96 A6 Quattro Wagon with the 12V-V6 and Auto 
>>Trans. I seemed to run fine, until my friend and I decieded to pull the 
>>dented trans oil pan. We replace the filter and gasket (the dent was on 
>>the syphon tube side of the pan). I put it back together - 
>>professionally refilled the fluid and went to drive it. The ABS system 
>>started automatically slowing the car down to 5mph. When I unplugged the 
>>ABS fuse ... the ABS system doesn't come on, but the car would shift 
>>hard from 1st to 2nd and stay in 2nd (more on this later*). Subsequent 
>>shifts are super hard from first to second. It even shifts very hard 
>>from P or N going into D or R at a standstill.
>>
>>*The Transmission module keeps throwing a "wheel speed sensor error". If 
>>I clear the wheel speed sensor error code using VAG-COM, it drives 
>>smooth until I hit a certain speed in 2nd gear - in which case the hard 
>>shifting starts all over again, until I clear the wheel speed sensor 
>>error code from the trans module.
>>
>>Recently I had to drive it in 2nd from the shop back home (about 5 
>>miles) ... after this, the transmission started making noise when cold. 
>>The noise in the transmission cooler lines (coming from the pump) - it's 
>>a kind of a continuous mnam- mnam- mnam- mnam- mnam sound. After it 
>>warms up, the noise goes away.
>>
>>Ultimately my question is - does this sound like the byproduct of a bent 
>>/ warped valve body with a leaky seal between it's two layers - esp 
>>around 3rd gear soleniod? Would the valve body problem cause the ABS to 
>>automatically pulse the brakes to slow the car down to 5mph (safe mode 
>>perhaps?)
>>
>>I found a place in NJ (Ericson Transmission 1-800-388-4418) that sells 
>>rebuilt ZF valve bodies for $450 if you send them your core. The problem 
>>is, that I don't want to "invest" $450 more into this car if the whole 
>>tranny is bad.  
>>
>>Thanks for any input on this one ... it's really kicking my bu|t.
>>
>>Ivan
>>_______________________________________________
>>V6-12v mailing list
>>V6-12v at audifans.com
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>>    
>>
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