Automatic Transmission Problems: Causes & Fixes

Hi,
"On my Golf 3 VR6, manufactured in 1997 and with 62,000 km on the odometer, the parking brake light is constantly illuminated. I recently had the entire braking system replaced, both front and rear, including the ABS sensors."
In addition to that, my ABS light is constantly on and it's not working. When I brake, the rear right wheel locks up... even though everything was fine during the braking test at the technical inspection (TÜV).

The error memory indicates the following faults: speed sensor (VR) for the front left wheel and hydraulic pumps.
The errors somehow infiltrated every control unit and cannot be erased.

In addition, he usually starts in third gear (automatic transmission).
Could it be that all the errors are interconnected and trigger a kind of emergency mode?
Or is this a separate issue, perhaps due to a lack of ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid), even though it's supposed to be a lifetime fill? Sometimes there's also significant jerking during gear changes, as if the gear isn't engaging properly. It doesn't engage immediately; I have to take my foot off the gas and then try again.
Similarly, sometimes a strange squeaking or whistling sound occurs when shifting gears?
So, I can barely shift gears up to 80 km/h, but it performs the kickdown function correctly all the way up to 160 km/h, although it doesn't work at all below that speed.

I was told elsewhere that the handbrake light and ABS light indicate a problem with my electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) system. Now, the handbrake light sometimes goes off and then usually comes back on suddenly.

Does anyone have any advice?
Could this also be related to the many weasels that are running around here?

I am grateful for any suggestions or ideas.

Hello,

Quote:

Or is this a separate issue, perhaps due to a lack of ATF oil, even though it has a full supply.

Yes, the "lifetime" fluid only lasts until the transmission fails.
At the very least, checking the fluid levels should be the minimum amount of maintenance required, and changing the oil can often work wonders for automatic transmissions.

Quote:

Tachometer sensor VR + HL

What's the harm in investigating why they aren't working? It's possible that the ABS sensors were damaged during installation, or that corrosion and rust particles on them and their toothed rings are causing problems. It's also possible that the sensors themselves never failed, but rather the wiring connecting them to the ABS control unit is faulty. The most sensible approach would be to test the wiring to ensure that any new sensors installed actually have proper contact with the control unit.

Quote:

Could this also be related to the many weasels that are running around here

Certainly.

Best regards, Rainer.

Rainer K. wrote:

What's the harm in checking why they aren't working? With a bit of bad luck, the ABS sensors may have been damaged during installation. Rust and rust particles on them and on the toothed rings contribute to the problem. It's also possible that the sensors themselves were never defective, but rather the associated wiring to the ABS control unit is faulty. The most sensible approach would be to measure the wiring to ensure that any new sensors installed actually have (proper) contact with the control unit

.

Okay, I'll try to do that.
"Sensors have been swapped around in various locations, and sometimes an error occurred, while other times it didn't... regardless of the installation location."

VR669 wrote:

Sensors have been swapped around in various locations, and sometimes an error occurred, while other times it didn't... regardless of the installation location

.
Then it's likely either a problem with the wiring or the positioning of the encoder rings.

I went to a local garage today to get a quote for an ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) change.
He read the error code again and took the car for a test drive.
He said the shifting problems are likely not caused by the transmission oil. If it were the oil, you would probably notice that your Golf is shifting very harshly and wouldn't even work in 4th gear. Since your 4th gear *is* working, he suspects something else is the cause.

After clearing the error codes and performing a test drive, only the following error code remained in the memory:

"Solenoid valve, fault: short circuit to ground."

I now need to obtain the technical drawing from Volkswagen showing its location, because Volkswagen apparently doesn't allow independent workshops to access this information.


Can someone tell me if the error codes match the problems I'm experiencing?
How much it will cost, etc...

There were still some errors with the ABS system, so I probably need to look for a new hydraulic pump.

Okay, then please post the specific errors you're seeing, so please provide the VCDS auto-scan results here.

Today, the shift solenoid valve 2 on the transmission was replaced.
The error could finally be cleared from the error memory.

Initially, everything was fine when starting the car. However, after a certain engine speed, the "Error 0104: Shift solenoid valve 2 short circuit" reappeared, and shifting stopped working. The error could be cleared afterward, but then the same problem would occur repeatedly.

Can anyone tell me what else might be the problem? Where should I look next?