Have I got a problem with my gearbox or is it me?

[Tewbacca]

Hi guys,

I've owned for the past three years a 2005 model t5 transporter 128Kw with the 6 speed auto in it. Its currently done 89000 k's. My problem is that the gear box doesn't seem to recognize hills or refused to change down a gear unless I press my foot right down on the accelerator to do so. My wife car ( Toyota Corolla) is much lighter under foot when going up a hill and changes back at the slightest drop in speed. I find with mine that if I go up a steep hill or any hill for that matter, the auto will change up into a higher gear than it should for the hill, and then labour along, making the van feel heavy under foot and gutless. I find the best way for me to go up any hill smoothly is to put the van into manual mode and change back a gear when there is any sign of a change of speed downwards. On the open road I adopt the same method of putting the van into manual mode when a hill comes along and then tip it into 5th to maintain speed and flow with the rest of the traffic. If I didn't do this the van would happily sit there in 6th dropping speed all the while and feeling heavy under foot.

Is this normal, as I've forgotten what it was like when I bought it, or is something wrong, or am I doing something wrong? Every one I talk to about VW say the auto is extremely expensive to fix. If its just a pressure valve or something I can't imagine it being that much to fix, but if its an overhaul of the gearbox, its goodbye VW, hello Hyundai iLoad.

Any thoughts on the subject would be appreciated.

cheers
Tewbacca ( Gary)

[mikinoz]

Hi mate,

What happens is as you both have very different driving styles the "Fuzzy Logic" in the transmission control module adapts to one and then is confused by the other. I have almost the same situation with my mrs, we both drive the old girl differently and then when I tow and so on it adapts even differently.

In the FAQ section there are instructions on how to reset the transmission control unit and by doing this the defaults are restored and it will begin to adapt. If I take the T5 out now and thrash it, I will reset it before I get out so it is not problematic for the other.

The other thing is it may be low on fluid.

Let me know how you go.
Mick.

[Rebuild]

Tewy,
mine is the same.i wouldn't worry about it.It is a diesel,that's what they do.
I also chuck it in manual mode for any hilly work and for overtaking.

[BrianJ]

Mine is a bit like that, but if I put it into S (sports) position, it changes down earlier, that is the mode I use for all hilly country or mountain ranges.

Brian

[Tewbacca]

Thanks Guys for the tips. I'll check out the reset of the fuzzy logic, check out the fluid levels and continue to chuck it into manual mode when hills come along, or even try sports mode for the first time, as I never use it. The best bit is none of you think that its an expensive problem, which is music to my ears. I didn't really want to buy an iLoad

[BrianJ]

The 'fuzzy logic' i.e. gear box computer can be reset to factory defaults I believe by this procedure:

to reset the Trans Control Module (TCM) follow these steps:

1. Turn ignition to ON (do not start engine)
2. Press the gas pedal to the floor till it clicks
3. Hold the pedal for 15 seconds
4. Release pedal gently
5. Turn Key to Off
6. Start engine and drive as normal

By resetting the TCM, it will re-adapt to your driving style.

See this thread: http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/foru...ion-27934.html

Brian

[Sunny43.5]

Without harping on about it I will just add, "another piece of useless technology" we could do with out . Howard {growing old disgracefully}

[Tewbacca]

Thanks Brian for the tip. Saves me looking for it somewhere. Great!! I'll do it now. .......... Just tried it but didn't hear any audible click when I pushed down the accelerator. Just some resistance as it got to about halfway and then simple the noise of the pedal hitting the floor.

[BrianJ]

Yeah, that's it, it has some sort of resistance there, i suspect it is the kickdown switch which you can use to force it back a gear, but I never bother, mine pulls up small grades at 1200rpm in 6th gear, so who needs gears

After the reset, drive it consistantly the way you would always want to, and it should relearn those habits.

Brian

[Tewbacca]

Thanks Brian,

I'll take your advice when I drive down to one of my local beaches tomorrow for a surf. Haven't driven it today at all.
cheers
Gary