I have a 99.5 1.8TQMS that I purchased in July and now that it is getting cold out I am having difficulty getting the transmission into 2nd gear. When I get it into 2nd gear and accelerate I notice a whinning noise coming from the transmission. I just had my transmission replaced last month due to a 3rd gear synchro/servo problem and now I'm wondering if I have another defective transmission.

I purchased the car new in August of 97, every winter has been the same, (at least until it warms up) This is the year I will bring it in for service. It seems like a lot of people have this problem. Other than that I love the car.

97A4 1.8TQMS

when it is cold outside in NY. (48-65 degrees F) After my gearbox warms up it becomes a bit smother. About that whining noise: I've only noticed this when I downshift to second (rarely).
99.5 1.8Tqms

When the car's been sitting outside the transmission oil gets thick and the syncros don't do their job properly.

My best suggestion would be to shift from 1st to neutral and then to 2nd. Under most circumstances you'll probably find it slips into gear much easier that way and you'll put a lot less wear on your 2nd gear synco this way. Once the transmission oil has warmed up it should shift 1st to 2nd fine.

Best,
Jeff J

I'm a little disappointed in this characteristic compared to a BMW. ARE YOU LISTENING AUDI!!!!

Also, is anyone disgusted in their braking performance? Has this improved on the '00?

Mondo
99 1.8TQMS

Suggest you bring it to the attention of your service manager.

Best,
Jeff J

I just started having this problem when I leave my car outside overnight. When it has been in the 40's or possibly 30's overnight, I can not shift into 2nd gear until I have driven about 10-15 miles. All the other gear shift fine. They might be a little more notchy but shift fine.
I have had another problem with 2nd gear so I assume that it is related to my other problem. My 2nd gear has a problem were the shifter pops forward when the clutch is release. This is not normal movement but a distinct pop forward. I am in the process of working this out with Audi.

Alex M. 1.8TQMS

The 2nd gear "slot" closes before I can put get into the 2nd gear. What is going on here?......I have 17,500 miles on my 1999 A4 1.8TQS. This problem has ALWAYS been there.......I was hoping that I had to "break in" the trans.....but things haven't changed. This problem is very very apparent when the car is stored outside.........
Seems to get a little better when the car "warms up"
I have taken it in to a dealer and had asked them to check out this problem.......the dealer renders that the trans is shifting within "factory specs"

THERE IS A PROBLEM HERE!

I need to get this annoying problem taken care of!

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Anyone get ansers from mechanics if this is normal? Wonder if Passats do the same?

Mine does the same thing, but only when I first start it up. After it has warmed up I don't have any problems with it.