Ask the Car People.SM


Jetta Transmission Problems and Questions

390 messages,  Last post on May 23, 2013 at 10:52 AM

You are in the Volkswagen Jetta Forum.

What is this discussion about? Volkswagen Jetta, Transmission, Sedan

Messages Page 32 of 40

#306 of 390 Transmission problems in a 2002 Jetta by skd1869

Sep 01, 2010 (8:32 am)

My 23yr old step daughter recently purchased a 202 Jetta, (her and her boyfriend wanted to do it all on their own) and did not have it looked at by anyone who knew anything about the mechanics. Long story short t3 months later the transmission seems to be going out. It will go into gear then seem like it is either down shifting our going into neutral then SLAM back into gear, it also does the same thing when you drive it down the road. One other thing is that when they bought it the battery that is in it is too small and that made some of the engine lights go on and off and different codes show up. She purchased the car from a local buy here pay here place and they of coarse are not going to help. These kind of places pray on people like her. When she purchased the car she had just given birth to my first grandson 5 days earlier. I really want to help her on this one but $ is very tight. Does anyone know where to start and if the trans is shot how difficult would it be to swap out myself. I have some mechanical knowledge but have never even change oil in a Volkswagen. Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated. PLEASE SHE REALLY NEEDS SOME HELP!
 
                                                            Thanks to all that reply! SKD

#307 of 390 Class action suit Jetta transmission +V6? by btraven

Sep 02, 2010 (4:08 am)

I sold my red 97 Jetta GLX with only 67K miles on it and no dings, no cracked dashboards or no torn or smushed seats for only $600. I bought it with 35K miles from a VW dealer where it was "certified" for $15,000.
 
The mechanic who bought it took it to another mechanic, a VW specialist who owns a 97, & who told my buyer. that the engine is too powerful for the transmission and tears it up. He said it would be useless to replace the automatic transmission because it would just fail again. They're going to install a manual transmission.
 
Makes me think that this is VW's error and there should be recourse. Anyone agree and want to figure out a tactic?

#308 of 390 Re: Transmission problems in a 2002 Jetta [skd1869] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Sep 02, 2010 (9:11 am)

Replying to: skd1869 (Sep 01, 2010 8:32 am)
I think a VW technician or independent shop should scan the transmission computer for trouble codes and if necessary, then do a pressure test, before you write the whole thing off--there are various electronic components that might be affecting the shifting.
 
Looks like R&R is not that big a job, but probably not easy without a lift and proper safety equipment.
 
VISITING HOST

#309 of 390 Re: Class action suit Jetta transmission +V6? [btraven] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Sep 02, 2010 (9:10 am)

Replying to: btraven (Sep 02, 2010 4:08 am)
Certainly the Jetta can be a problematic car, but I don't think you have any recourse on a vehicle that is 13 years old. Age is a factor in transmission failure just like mileage is; also you bought the car used and you have no idea what the previous owner might have done to it.
 
I'm sorry to hear you had such misfortune with it, but it sounds like, in hindsight, you should have fixed the car. The story you got from the VW mechanic sounds fanciful to me on a number of levels. It's possible they just talked you out of the car and will fix it themselves--and I seriously doubt they would go to the trouble of converting and installing a stickshift on a car that really has very little value, even when running well.
 
Best thing to do is just write it off to experience, and come see us before your next purchase so that the community can help you make a good choice.

#310 of 390 clutch or whole transmission? by rustyred

Sep 12, 2010 (11:11 pm)

Okay, I have a 2000 Jetta manual 5 speed. No, I don't ride the clutch. It's gettin mighty sticky going into first and reverse. Driving alot and praying it doesn;t go out soon. Had it checked at dealer for 57. bones and they say it's nothing "external". They quoted me 1600. to go in but that doesn't even tell me what they'll find. Do the symptoms sound like a full on new transmission or a new clutch? If it seems a trans, where can I get it done right for like no money?
Thanks in advance for any advice!

#311 of 390 Re: clutch or whole transmission? [rustyred] by bpeebles

Sep 13, 2010 (5:09 pm)

Replying to: rustyred (Sep 12, 2010 11:11 pm)
I cant imagine the problem you are experiencing would be the xmission at all....
(it is VERY unlikely that both 1st and reverse would fail at the same time.)
 
Usually a clutch fails by starting to slip so badly that it will not pull the vehicle uphill in any gear. Your clutch is simply not releasing completely.
 
I beleive your 2000 has a hydrolic clutch. What you describe sure sounds like a problem with either clutch-master-cylinder or slave-cylinder. These components are FAR less intrusive to replace than pulling the engine and seperating the xmission.
 
Hydriolic fluid (brake and clutch) MUST MUST be replaced every 2-3 years reguardless of miles. This is because it is hydroscopic and attracts water like a sponge. It does this on purpose to protect the metal components... however, once it is saturated with water, droplets form and rust begins inside the system.
 
If you have not been replacing clutch fluid every 2-3 years, I would bet your clutch-master-cylinder or slave-cylinder has started to fail due to internal corrosion.

#312 of 390 Re: clutch or whole transmission? [bpeebles] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Sep 13, 2010 (5:11 pm)

Replying to: bpeebles (Sep 13, 2010 5:09 pm)
Pressure plates can go bad however. I'd be more apt to suspect a hydraulic clutch as well, like bpeebles says. I don't see the transmission as much of a possibility.

#313 of 390 2000 Jetta 5 speed shifting problems by 1truck

Sep 16, 2010 (12:34 pm)

I have a 2000 Jetta 2.0 5 speed with 111K. It suddenly wont shift into reverse, 1st, 2nd or 5th. Had to drive it home in 3rd and 4th. The clutch doesn't slip. I removed the boot around the shifter and all the linkage appears to be ok. Any ideas?

#314 of 390 Re: 2000 Jetta 5 speed shifting problems [1truck] by bpeebles

Sep 16, 2010 (5:46 pm)

Replying to: 1truck (Sep 16, 2010 12:34 pm)
Check the cable-lingages where they connect to the xmission. They are right on top and easy to see.

#315 of 390 Re: 2000 Jetta 5 speed shifting problems [bpeebles] by 1truck

Sep 17, 2010 (9:29 am)

Replying to: bpeebles (Sep 16, 2010 5:46 pm)
Thank you! Found the broken plastic bracket on the top cable. Thanks again!!

Messages Page 32 of 40

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement