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Car wouldn't shift past reverse without resistance on the...


Car wouldn't shift past reverse without resistance on the shifter. Eventually shifter would go into all gears but car wouldn't move at all. Is this a shift solenoid issue? Mechanic's Assistant: How old is the transmission?...

Car wouldn't shift past reverse without resistance on the shifter. Eventually shifter would go into all gears but car wouldn't move at all. Is this a shift solenoid issue? Mechanic's Assistant: How old is the transmission? Have you checked the brake switch? 2004 Audi A4. I pulled the fuse number 31 and when I put it back in the little brake pedal light on the shifter that tells you your brake is depressed would flicker. Fuse is good though. Mechanic's Assistant: Are you fixing your A4 yourself? What have you tried so far? Yes I'm fixing myself I pulled my whole shift assembly apart check my connections facing to be good I have a new shifter assembly and cable just trying to eliminate anything else is a possibility before I do it. I read online if my shift solenoid was bad the car would basically stay in neutral no matter what gear the shifter says I'm in Mechanic's Assistant: Anything else you want the Mechanic to know before I connect you? No that's it

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Responses

Automotive Expert
Hello, my name is \*\*\*\*\* \*\*\*\*\* I will be helping you with your question today. I've been working on Audis for over 30 years now, so I should be able to help you through this. Please understand that some of my suggestions may require special diagnostic tools and equipment that many home mechanics may not have, but are often required. So, my first question is whether you're planning on performing your own repairs, or are you wanting to be armed with information before bringing it into your mechanic? **Also, the site automatically prompts for a phone call. It's very rare that I'm available by phone, so let's hold off on that for now. If needed after we exchange some information, I will do my best to take the time for the call.** Couple of other things: 1) can you provide a VIN? 2) have you checked with a helper under the car to see if the shift lever actually moves when you put it into gear.

I'll get you the VIN now. Was about to crawl under the car and have somebody try to put it into gear to see if it's even engaging the transmission
Automotive Expert
Yeah, let's take a look at that first before doing any other teardown.

Ok give me a min to get out there
Automotive Expert
No problem, take your time

Customer attachment 1/3/2021 4:44:45 PM

Sorry first pic was not clear
Automotive Expert
Ah, ok, this is a FWD with CVT transmission. Still worth checking linkage/cable, but we're probably going to need some diagnostic data in the form of a trans control module scan using VCDS or similar Audi-specific tool

I don't have a vag tool. I can go pick up a high end ob2 if that will help. They might have an obd11 in town.
Automotive Expert
Unfortunately, a generic OBD2 tool won't be much help here, as there are specific data blocks I'd be interested in seeing. Still, let me know what you find with regards \*\*\*\*\* \*\*\*\*\* shift lever movement.

Ok I'll look and get back to you.
Automotive Expert
Sounds good. I'll be here.

Thank you
Automotive Expert
sure thing

Just to be clear it has to be the vag setup correct?
Automotive Expert
That's what I'm most familiar with as I've used it for almost 25 years now.

Cause I found this one locally. If it won't work I'll keep looking. I have some friends in town that might have the vag set up so I'm looking there too.

Customer attachment 1/3/2021 5:00:39 PM
Automotive Expert
Yep, while that one might pull trans fault codes (unknown really), the data blocks won't be available.

Ok I'll keep looking
Automotive Expert
Yeah, but more importantly, let's get a visual on the mechanicals first.

I'm doing that now
Automotive Expert
got it

I got underneath it and had the gears ran through. I wasn't able to get my hands up there but I could hear it everytime the gears we're rotated through.
Automotive Expert
ok, so as far as you're aware, the cable is moving the shift lever. So, now we definitely need to know using a scan tool if the TCM is recognizing gear position. When you start the car, and try to move from one shifter position to the next, what happens to the display in the cluster?

The cluster says apply break to shift. Other than that nothing.
Automotive Expert
No PRNDS at the bottom?

Horrible video. Yes it is there. Everything is normal on that end.
Automotive Expert
Ok, so the TCM is recognizing lever position, which means it gets considerably more complicated and absolutely requires VCDS or other Audi-specific scan tool to diagnose. The most common fault with these is with the Mechatronic unit itself, which is also the TCM as one unit. Programming is necessary after replacement if that's indeed the issue. If you're able to get fault codes to me, I'm happy to continue on.

Let me see what I can do and I'll get back to you.
Automotive Expert
got it

if I just get a new tcm or have this one repaired will that include the mechatronic unit? Cause I have a place that will repair the tcm. I just want to make sure it will fix the issue.
Automotive Expert
I have to way of letting you know if this is for sure the issue without diagnostic data. no way\*

Of course. I'm working on a vcds as we speak. Just trying to cover all my bases.
Automotive Expert
Gotcha.

Will this one work?
Automotive Expert
Hard to say, since I have no direct experience with that particular tool

Understandable. It says it reads engine,srs,abs,transmission codes among other things.

Customer attachment 1/3/2021 9:26:11 PM

I appreciate your patience as well.
Automotive Expert
Got it. It will have to be able to 1) read/clear faults out of all modules and 2) read individual measuring blocks in the various modules

Got it. I'm gonna keep looking for an actual vcds tool for the time being.
Automotive Expert
[https://store.ross-tech.com/shop/vchv2\_ent/](https://store.ross-tech.com/shop/vchv2_ent/)

I'm on there now. Thank you!
Automotive Expert
Glad to help

I pulled the codes.
Automotive Expert
Ok, I'm on, but somewhat busy at home, so any response might take until tomorrow depending on complexity

U0101 along with some random misfires.It says it's not communicating with the TCM
Automotive Expert
U communication faults are tough. What scan tool are you using, and what are the exact faults from both 01) engine and 02) transmission controllers? The reason I ask is that it's rare for the VCDS tool to spit out U-codes only

I need to reconnect it and pull everything it is saying. Would it be easier to do that and message you tomorrow.
Automotive Expert
Much. Actually, if you're using VCDS, the do a complete auto-scan, copy the entire thing and paste it to your next response.

Will do. Thank you.
Automotive Expert
no problem. I'll be back on around 9am eastern tomorrow

Awesome thank you
Automotive Expert
sure thing

my laptop is running chrome not windows so I can't connect to my laptop with the scanner. This is what I'm found though.

Customer attachment 1/9/2021 6:10:09 PM

Customer attachment 1/9/2021 6:10:18 PM

Customer attachment 1/9/2021 6:10:27 PM

Currently scanning the whole system.
Automotive Expert
Hold with the screenshots...it gets a bit overwhelming and confusing on my end. The trans codes are all I need

Ok sorry.
Automotive Expert
No problem. So yeah, it's **at least** going to need a replacement TCM, which will require coding, but I'm not saying that's the end of it. If there have been problems/slipping for any length of time, it may need a whole trans. Fluid condition will dictate this.

Just didn't a trans flush a couple months ago because I had a leaking line. Fixed the line and did the flush and no issues with the transmission.
Automotive Expert
Understood. I'd still check fluid condition now though.

can I send this tcm to a company that repairs them to bypass having to code it? The company I have spoken to said it won't need to be reprogrammed if it is going back in the car it came out of. I will definitely check fluid when I pull the tcm.
Automotive Expert
I believe so, yes, although I've always installed new, so can't be 100% certain.

Awesome thanks for all your help.
Automotive Expert
Sure thing. Glad to do it

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