2001 A8L Only Likes Going Backwards

[trainingwheels]

I know, I know this has been pretty well discussed to death but I haven't really found an answer. I bought the car for pretty cheap knowing the transmission had an issue or more. It's got 220kms/135miles on the clock and everything works! ...except moving forward. Weirdly, reverse works perfectly. I bought an Autool VAG scanner which I hope will give me some useful data, and I plan on a transmission fluid change. Just wondering if anyone here has had any similar experiences or stories and has ANY tips or things to try. I realize I bought an old luxury car with a problematic transmission, feel free to roast. Thanks!

[WEBER]

You’ll probably get incorrect ratio trans code, classic broken A clutch drum. Rebuild time!


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[ROOK13pdx]

An a8 with a bad transmission - just what I’m looking for, swap it with a manual!


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[A4 2.5TDI]

My D2 A8 3.3tdi just light up the PRNDS red on cluster 2 weeks ago reverse works perfectly and it goes forward in emrgency mode which is 4th gear i get a incorect gear ratio code.

[trainingwheels]

Thanks guys, I guess that's what I feared. He was going to scrap the car and I hated that idea so I bought it from him hoping it could be a doable fix but it looks like it's the common total failure. I was going to flush the fluid but my jack can't handle it! Also I think rhino ramps wouldn't provide enough clearance to get under there. And it doesn't sounds like the fluid is even the problem. If I decide to part it out after all, is there anything particularly valuable about this car? Please let me know, thanks again!

[A4 2.5TDI]

If you like the car you could swap in a 6 speed manual.

[trainingwheels]

I would love too but don't have the funds or expertise for such a venture unfortunately. This would be an amazing grand tourer with a manual though.

[trainingwheels]

I should add that all gears are highlighted red so it appears to be in limp mode, is there a way to get out of it?

[A4 2.5TDI]

i tried deleting the fault code that turns off limp mode but the car doesn"t move but it does move when it"s in limp mode. in limp mode you have 4th gear and reverse.

[trainingwheels]

i tried deleting the fault code that turns off limp mode but the car doesn"t move but it does move when it"s in limp mode. in limp mode you have 4th gear and reverse.

Hmmm, is it bad to move it around in limp mode? I wonder if being in 4th gear at low speed causes extra damage.

[A4 2.5TDI]

Moving it around in limp mode shouldn"t be a problem i drove around 10 miles to home in limp mode the only problem is that you can overheat the transmission fluid because 4th gear has a high ratio and there is a lot of torque converter slip going on which heats the ATF but moving ther car shouldn"t damage anything.

[trainingwheels]

Moving it around in limp mode shouldn"t be a problem i drove around 10 miles to home in limp mode the only problem is that you can overheat the transmission fluid because 4th gear has a high ratio and there is a lot of torque converter slip going on which heats the ATF but moving ther car shouldn"t damage anything.

Great info, thank you so much!

[A4 2.5TDI]

No problem i like to help.

[trainingwheels]

Well the code I got says "Incorrect Gear Ratio" which from what I researched could mean basically any fault within the transmission. It will allow me to clear the code successfully but it will stay in limp mode. Is it possibly something as simple as low transmission fluid or likely a bad transmission all together?

[A4 2.5TDI]

I thought about fluid level but the revers works perfectly fine and car moves around in 4th gear like it should so i think that there is enough fluid. I have also talked with somebody that rebuilds transmissions and he said that its usually a mechanical problem inside a transmission such as a broken A clutch drum or other clutches.

[trainingwheels]

I thought about fluid level but the revers works perfectly fine and car moves around in 4th gear like it should so i think that there is enough fluid. I have also talked with somebody that rebuilds transmissions and he said that its usually a mechanical problem inside a transmission such as a broken A clutch drum or other clutches.

Okay, i'll be parting out the car next week after all. I don't know what parts are worth anything though. Thanks.

[Paulyworld1432]

What color is the car? I need a headlight washercap in silver

[egebhardt]

I’ve been doing the math….

Audi D2 A8 with common known-bad transmission.
They fall as early as 60,000 miles.
A rebuilt transmission is probably going to fail again soon.
A rebuilt transmission warranty is only good for that owner.
The owner tries to sell a car with known-bad transmission. Buyers no likey and won’t pay squat.
Transmission rebuilds cost over $4,000.
The car is only worth $4,000 fixed.
The car is totaled and other parts are nearly worthless because the transmission is going to fail anyway.
Manual swaps cost over $4,000 or are not possibly on this platform.
Crush the car and hope for $200 from the scrap yard.