gschwell

Hi All,

I have yet another torque converter question. My '03 A6 3.0 Avant with 113,000 has a bad torque converter. I can see/feel it slip, and triggers the engine light.

The odd thing is that it often works fine in the cold (the clutch locks and doesn't slip), and the light even turns off. Is this typical? A few weeks ago I did a three hour drive, and it functioned fine for the first hour and a half, and then stopped working after a hard acceleration on an on-ramp.

I know I'm dreaming here, but could this point to fix other than replacing the whole thing?

SloopJohnB@mac.com

It could be a poor electrical connection somewhere but you'll play billy hell trying to find it.

jcman

At a 113k it is possible that the trans needs a fluid/filter service if it wasn't done at least ounce already, your symptom suggests this possibility with old thinning fluid not at the spec level.

Its worth doing the trans service first before throwing darts

rohit13

From what i read at audizine from a tranny specialist is that the fluid actually gets thicker as it gets used. He even specified that new fluid is thinner than used fluids. Forgot the reasoning.

jcman

The reasoning is in the micro fine metal seasoning added to the fluid, all kidding aside that's probably true to a point with more mass mingling in the fluid, I wonder if heat expansion changes in this state too.

jcman

Here is an interesting AW post link from Paul W about trans fluid testing and results https://www.audiworld.com/forums/sho...php?p=15458861
check out the Sus Viscocity values

thall6594

I noticed this as well in my 02 A6 3.0L with 145k. The weather was warmer yesterday, around 40 F, and my RPMs were higher and I could feel it slip every once in a while.

dotrenrew

I have the same issue with my '02 Allroad 166k miles. Tranny hesitates when it is warmer, triggering the CEL. I had a recent flush and filter done and I'm told that it has bought me some time. I'm scheduled for a new TC in about 3 weeks. I was told by several people to get it taken care of or it will ruin the tranny and then I'd be spending big bucks to get a new one.

thall6594

I just had mine done last week after driving with the code on for 1 or 2k miles. Doesn't slip anymore and the tranny shifts smoothly again.

jcman

Hope that was a fluid "drain" change and new filter