Transmission in Limp Mode
12-30-2007, 04:30 PM
#1
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Transmission in Limp Mode
<center><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2415/2149910799_423946b650.jpg?v=0"></center><p>Need help. This is my fist post on the forum, however I've been a long time visitor. I have a 97 A8 with 125K miles that I had for about 4 years love the car and so far didn't have any major issues until now.
Couple of days ago as soon as I started the car and put in gear I experienced a pretty strong thumping sound, the gear indicator highlighted all gear in read and the car had no power . I turned the engine off started it again and the same thing happened over and over. After engaging in limp mode the car barely moves however as I got going I was able to get it to about 40mph and drive it for about 10 miles to my mechanic.
The shop run some codes and came up with "incorrect gear ratio" they try to add transmission fluid and said that the existing fluid is black and the problem doesn't go away.
The mechanic told me that it will run about $1,500 for labor and $3,000 for rebuilt or used tranny.
Here are my questions
-If the problem is a broken clutch A housing do I need a whole new tranny or can I just replace the part alone and if so how much should I expect to pay for the part?
-What is the most economical way to get the car back up and running?
-Is there a way to get it out of the limp mode so that I can take it to a dealer as a running car and try my luck to get something for it as a trade-in?
-If neither of the option above are feasible, than what are my other options and costs... rebuilding the existing tranny? Getting a rebuilt tranny? or buying a used tranny?
-Can anyone one recommend a good transmission shop I Orange County CA
I plan on upgrading to an '03 S8 with in a year and want to limit my loses with this car to a minimum. At the moment the car is worth somewhere between $8,000 to $9,000 minus the tranny job = ?, if I would to sell it as is I would probably get 2K for it.
Any other suggestions or advice are greatly appreciated...
Couple of days ago as soon as I started the car and put in gear I experienced a pretty strong thumping sound, the gear indicator highlighted all gear in read and the car had no power . I turned the engine off started it again and the same thing happened over and over. After engaging in limp mode the car barely moves however as I got going I was able to get it to about 40mph and drive it for about 10 miles to my mechanic.
The shop run some codes and came up with "incorrect gear ratio" they try to add transmission fluid and said that the existing fluid is black and the problem doesn't go away.
The mechanic told me that it will run about $1,500 for labor and $3,000 for rebuilt or used tranny.
Here are my questions
-If the problem is a broken clutch A housing do I need a whole new tranny or can I just replace the part alone and if so how much should I expect to pay for the part?
-What is the most economical way to get the car back up and running?
-Is there a way to get it out of the limp mode so that I can take it to a dealer as a running car and try my luck to get something for it as a trade-in?
-If neither of the option above are feasible, than what are my other options and costs... rebuilding the existing tranny? Getting a rebuilt tranny? or buying a used tranny?
-Can anyone one recommend a good transmission shop I Orange County CA
I plan on upgrading to an '03 S8 with in a year and want to limit my loses with this car to a minimum. At the moment the car is worth somewhere between $8,000 to $9,000 minus the tranny job = ?, if I would to sell it as is I would probably get 2K for it.
Any other suggestions or advice are greatly appreciated...
12-30-2007, 04:49 PM
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Re: Transmission in Limp Mode
Even if the car is in good running condition, I doubt the car is worth $8K to $9K. I have a 99 A8 with 110K miles in L.A. which I paid $8500 six months ago. The car is in pristine condition and drives great. Sorry to put the air out, but I'm not sure if it is even worth fixing. I'd take it to an Audi indy and see if they would part it for you. There is very very little interest in A8 in SoCal.
Good luck.
Good luck.
12-30-2007, 05:56 PM
#5
Sell it to someone as a project car then get a 2000+
It will cost 4k to 7k get the trans rebuilt and then you have to hope it works right. Search the forum, there are plenty of horror stories where owners have paid $4000+ to have their transmission fixed and then it doesn't work right. Who need that headache? So consider this, if you fix the car for 4000$, add the loose the opportunity to sell it for 2000$, your looking at 6000$ out of pocket. 6000$ to drive a big question mark, doesn't make sense on any level.
This happened to me... So I know what your feeling. I sold my 1998 after the trans blew on ebay, then I bought a 2000 A8 the next week, I've been totally happy with the 2000. BTW the previous owner of my 1998 A8 had the transmission rebuilt by Erickson Industries, lasted about 15 months and less than 20,000 miles.
I would only recommend another A8 if it was a well maintained 2000 or newer... If $$$ is an issue and you don't need Quattro consider a Mercedes W126, They drive great, are very quiet, are solid as a rock, are built like tanks and are very durable. They go for a song and best of all... the transmissions are almost bullet proof.
This happened to me... So I know what your feeling. I sold my 1998 after the trans blew on ebay, then I bought a 2000 A8 the next week, I've been totally happy with the 2000. BTW the previous owner of my 1998 A8 had the transmission rebuilt by Erickson Industries, lasted about 15 months and less than 20,000 miles.
I would only recommend another A8 if it was a well maintained 2000 or newer... If $$$ is an issue and you don't need Quattro consider a Mercedes W126, They drive great, are very quiet, are solid as a rock, are built like tanks and are very durable. They go for a song and best of all... the transmissions are almost bullet proof.
12-30-2007, 07:09 PM
#6
It is too bad that you are in cal.
We can rebuild it for $3200 (12months/12K miles warranty). We did one last week and one this week. They both drive like brand new cars. Now we know all the little tricks to make it run like new. Excellent and quick shifts and perfect TC regulating/lockup. Your car worth $2500 private sale no trade in value really. If you fix it it worth $5-6K private sale $3k trade in.
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12-30-2007, 09:47 PM
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You probably right about the value
You probably right about the value, besides the tranny the car is in great shape, everything works great, engine runs like a dream, got a set of 20" with 285 tires on a back... it's king hard just to get it salvaged. Nevertheless, I was trying looking up Audi indy online, but didn't find anything... can you give me some more info on them?