97'A8 4.2 Q gearbox

[bob4321]

when driving along in slow moving traffic yesterday i heard a clunk and the only foward drive i now get is as if its in a high gear.I can get reverse and the sheer grunt of the engine can propel it foward but i could not go up steep hills.I have taken it to a local audi specialist who has stated that i need a new gear box.All the automatic positions on the dash are highlighted as apposed to the D for drive.
i was just wondering if any one has had similar problems and maybe its a selector or something gone before i try and source a replacement.Thanks.

[Allan mac]

as in most auto boxes, it sounds like the torque convertor, i aint no expert but thats what it sounds like

[wimbledonjohn]

I agree, this seems to be one of the a8s weak points, looking on ebay etc when one comes up for sale needing work it tends to be the autobox and in my experience .usually the torque converter is the culprit. Sorry not to bring good news, i would try to source a 2nd hand one as you are not talking small money. I would think an independant specialist would charge upwards from £5-600 to repair. wimbledonjohn

[stamina]

just had mine rebuilt at cost of 1450 pounds,same year as yours, expensive.

[johnb]

hi mate,this is my first reply so i hope its in the right place and works.i have an a8 that had a similar problem.i took it to an auto gearbox bloke who tried to convince me it was a rebuild etc etc.i told him to change the fluid with a good quality fluid.change the filter in the box,new pan gasket and replace the magnets that are inside the gearbox.all this done for 148 pounds and it runs a treat and changes just fine.i plan to repeat the process in another six months when its been a year.much cheaper than a rebuild.hope that helps.jb

[Hoskins]

Hello all, I'm new to the forum and it looks like theres a lot of people who know their stuff on here-Thankfully!

Having owned a 1998 2.8auto for 8 completely trouble free years even though I'd notched up 200k on the clock - After having it written off in the most minor of crashes the natural thing to do was to progress further and buy a 2000 4.2l Quattro with 155k on it.

The car had been standing for a while until I decided to use it. Having no problems starting the car, I tried to put it into 'D'. Although it seemed to engage into gear I had to rev it up a lot to get it to move. Looking at the display every gear was highlighted so I turned the engine off and started it again and used tiptronic and it worked fine, I got a garage to link the car to a computer and the fault read 'Clutch stuck' they then advised I take it for a run and see if it improves once the gearbox heats up. Having done this, the car ran smoothly upto 70mph, but the gearchange was very rough on the way back down to lower gears, it eventually reverted back to 'Safe/Limpmode and now wont even go into 1st through tiptronic. Has anyone else had this problem? I spoke to the local Gearbox specialist and he advised that it may well be the torque converter, but being an 'EXPENSIVE LUXURY SALOON' with 155k on it, he refuses to change the torque converter unless the gearbox is reconditioned too - He's quoting a not so modest £2300 to put the car right - Can anyone advise me on the best course of action please? Does Safemode prevent terminal damage to the gearbox or am I truly stuffed?

[A8_Tony]

Audi don't recommend a gearbox service on these gearboxes at all.

However, it has been my experience that a gearbox serviced every 50k miles or so offers greater reliabiliity than one that hasn't.

It is often a good starting point for anyone experiencing issues too, so I'd recommend finding a reliable Audi specialist who'll know what to do for you. Bear in mind that these things hold 9 litres of oil too!!!