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I just finished an intake refresh and full detail. I went for a ride and when I stopped in front of my house the transmission sounded different. I put it in reverse and it feels like it's locked up as if the handbrake is on. In neautral I get a rather loud whining noise and in drive or reverse the noise goes away. The fluid is full. No leaks were noticed. Anyone here ever have this issue. Looks like I need a new unit. But any information on what it might be or what to look for would be appreciated.
Very sorry to hear that.
please eliminate one possibility. Make sure the engine spins the drive rod which spins the torque converter while in neutral. (Make sure the drive rod hasn’t sheared as some S4-to-GT cars have been known to do).
Get your car on stands/lift. At the bottom of the rear section of the drive tube, view that the rear shaft rod pinch bolt rotates while the engine is rotated CLOCKWISE by hand (plus a wrench).
hopefully, a snapped driveshaft is all that it is.
Thanks for the reply. The shaft is good. Approximately 500 miles ago the filter reservoir and fluid were replaced. It was shifting fine. I suspect the reverse clutch and or band may have let go. It's just weird to me . I have forward gears but the trans locks up when put into reverse. The trans al we says had a slight whine to it. Not in neutral the whine is more pronounced.
How long did the refresh take?
Jack up the rear via the trans cross member place jack stands under rear jack points, place the trans in Neutral and turn the rear wheels by hand and see if it spins freely forward, then reverse.
It may be the E-brake shoes are locked up.
However it doesn't account for the whining sound.
Thanks for the reply. The shaft is good. Approximately 500 miles ago the filter reservoir and fluid were replaced. It was shifting fine. I suspect the reverse clutch and or band may have let go. It's just weird to me . I have forward gears but the trans locks up when put into reverse. The trans al we says had a slight whine to it. Not in neutral the whine is more pronounced.
Do you know what kind of transmission fluid was used? It won't fix the problem, but it may have caused it.
Once you rule out the simple stuff, if you have the means to get the car in the air, drop the transmission pan and see if you have any surprises in there. Fingers crossed...
It does roll in neutral . Something in the trans binds up in reverse. Weird it was driving find and just locked up. I came to a stop after about a half an hour drive put it in reverse and that's when it happened. Goes into reverse just won't move or roll when in reverse.
Is there any chance that the selector thinks it's in park?
The failure you describe is not typical for losing reverse. Normally in such a circumstance the car doesn't move or moves very very slowly while in reverse.
I think you need to get it up in the air and look at the selector on the transmission. I am willing to bet that the selector is out of alignment and your car is in park. That's the only thing that seems to make sense to me.
If it was in park I think the engine would rev freely. But when put in reverse the engine only raises as if it were under load like when power braking . The fluid was dextron 3.
If it was in park I think the engine would rev freely. But when put in reverse the engine only raises as if it were under load like when power braking . The fluid was dextron 3.
Looking at my options. I have access to a used trans for about a 1000 . Local German car specialist rebuilt for about 3000 or manual swap from a 86 s for 5000. I can perform the the removal and install myself . The car would be down for some time if I went for the manual swap as I would have to come up with funds to rebuild the torque tube and install a new clutch. Does anyone here know if the 86 manual setup would work in my s4?
Why not bring it to the local German specialist first to drop the pan to see if there's any obvious issues with the valve body and selector before committing to a swap? For some reason it could be in reverse and park at the same time.
Is there any chance that the selector thinks it's in park?
The failure you describe is not typical for losing reverse. Normally in such a circumstance the car doesn't move or moves very very slowly while in reverse.
I think you need to get it up in the air and look at the selector on the transmission. I am willing to bet that the selector is out of alignment and your car is in park. That's the only thing that seems to make sense to me.
Simple stuff first: check the gear selector Bowden cable alignment at the tranny first. Disconnect the cable at the tranny, put the lever into N (two clicks) and do the same with the selector lever in the car.
Check down at the tranny how they are lined up to each other.
03-18-2024, 11:07 PM
Transmission lost reverse today
