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Autobox not working correctly

V

V8Rumble

New member
Hi new here
I am going to look at an 85 944 at the weekend but it has a fault with the box
The owner says that it will not select drive or reverse but will go in first and second. He reckons there was some sort of split pipe that he repaired temporarily and it worked fine but thinks his repair has failed again.
Does this sound feasible as I have never dealt with a gearbox at the back of the car set up except for a Beetle.

Any pointers appreciated[:)]
 
Thanks for such a quick response.
That was my thinking, but I was more wondering/hoping it may be an easy fix as I am used to doing the mechanical stuff on all sorts of stuff
 
I'm not saying this cars owner is wrong about it being an easy fix in this particular case, but i once looked into the feasibility of an auto box being stripped and repaired in the UK. The conclusion drawn was that pretty much nobody strips and repairs them, they are too complicated. Repairs seem to be limited to external features, like electronic control module swaps and electrical connection cleans - neither of which apply to a 944 vintage auto box. Hence i agree with robdimond.
 
Call me cynical but if it's a simple fix then why doesn't he just do it and sell it as a drivable car?

I don't know much about automatic gearboxes but I know there are a complex set of hydraulics and clutches internally and I can't see how a split in a pipe somewhere could cause this fault...
The automatic gearboxes are not common and if you're not doing it yourself it will cost you a fair bit in labour as well. A rebuild would cost at least double what the car is worth.

Beware of simple fixes. I bought a 944 with a faulty heater (which of course is the 99p plastic clip from Porsche). In the end it was a new heater matrix (was bypassed), new pipes, vacuum valve... and the plastic clip of course. Would have cost easily a grand at a specialist with new parts.

I would only consider it if the bodywork was immaculate, the price was very low and of course you really want an auto...
 
Series one automatics are very closely related to the AUDI 200 transaxle. Id be more concernead about the state of the cush drive, because youll struggle to find a working one used, let alone a good one whereas good series one transaxles are ten a penny.
 
If you are cynical count me in on your side. The car is being sold as repairs or spares and he has done a lot of engine work, head gasket timing belt balance belt, tensioner,idler etc. Rebuilt calipers, new braided hoses and a whole load of servicing parts, even two brand new Avon tyres.
He seems legit and that he wanted to return it to its former glory but does not have the time so it is lying idle.

Normally I would say the box is shot but wasn't sure as to how they work being transaxle. Not all auto probs are big money I have a 98 Merc CLK320 and it would not kick down, the fault----------------------- MAF sensor but then again the car is full of electronics.
 
Its a big lump of rubber bonded inside a metal ring with a metal centre. It is used to damp out the harshness and snatch from the torque tube. Theyre frequently knackered and used good ones are like hens teetch. New cost is approaching £1,000.

It similar in principle to the rubber cush drive found on the rear sprocket on motorcycles, but bigger and dearer.
 
Thanks for the explanation it sounds similar to what I call a doughnut. The car has done 130k miles is there any set rule of thumb as to how long they last or is it the usual how hard has it been driven syndrome?
 
The automatic box is an Audi box and reconditioned boxes can be obtained. If you are taking this further it would be wise to invest in a workshop manual - versions are cheaply available on CD from eBay and there is a very full section on the automatic boxes and adjustments.
As 1st and 2nd gear can be selected it could be that the cables need adjusting since Drive and Reverse are further forward on the lever and its a long cable run from the gearlever to the rear mounted gearbox.

Mike
White 2.7 automatic
 
Thanks for the reply. Having seen the car it is in good condition and was being used up until about four weeks ago in which time the MOT ran out. the owner repaired an oil pipe with jubilee clips and a joiner and it worked okay for a short period so I was hoping that this may be a high pressure line and could possibly need replacing with a proper fix.

Is this a feasible assumption? I don't know till I get a chance to get under the car but will assume a recon box is on the cards.

Thanks for all the help so far
 
From a quick look at the Porsche parts diagram for a 88 car it appears that the external pipe work is for the fluid reservoir to the gearbox 'sump' and the pipes that go forward to the fluid cooler in the radiator. (I don't have a parts list for the earlier cars but I suspect they are similar). Any leak here would result in a loss of gearbox oil and this could affect gear selection.
It would appear that all high pressure oil routes are internal to the box.
Gasket sets for the gearbox sump are readily available together with the internal filter mesh. It could be worthwhile, but messy, to check the filter mesh in the gearbox sump to see what debris is in there. This might give a better indication of the gearbox state.

Mike
White 2.7 automatic

 
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