A4 Trans Slip Nightmare: Torque Converter Alert

Good to hear from a fellow Audi owner. Had a very similar issue with my 2003 A6 with the automatic transmission. Have some experience working on cars and dealt with transmission issues before. The symptoms you describe match exactly what happened with my car. The automatic gearbox started showing those exact warning lights and the transmission repair turned out to be related to a defective torque converter, causing engine surge and rough shifting. After checking several workshops, I found one specializing in automatic transmission repairs. The diagnostic confirmed the torque converter was failing. Total repair cost was 2120 Euro including parts and labor. The job took about 4 days to complete. Important: Do not try temporary fixes, as this could cause more damage to your automatic gearbox. Continuing to drive with these symptoms risks complete transmission failure. To provide more specific advice, could you share: Current mileage, When was the last transmission fluid change, Does the problem occur more when the engine is cold or warm, Any unusual sounds when shifting from P to D Also recommend getting a proper diagnostic scan to confirm the exact error codes, as similar symptoms can have different root causes in the transmission system.

After 186895KM, it seems the automatic gearbox issues are quite common. Just had the transmission fluid and filter changed during last service 2 weeks ago. The grinding noise and slipping occur mostly when the engine is warm, particularly after 15 minutes of driving. The torque converter symptoms get worse during highway speeds, and the lock-up clutch appears to disengage out of nowhere. The error code points to transmission control issues, but the fresh fluid change didnt resolve the problem. Based on the repair cost mentioned, thinking about getting this fixed soon before complete converter failure occurs. Thanks for confirming the repair timeline, helps with planning the workshop visit. Would it be safe to drive it carefully to the transmission specialist or should I get it towed?

Thanks for the additional details about your A4. My A6 showed very similar behavior, the problems also got worse with warm transmission fluid and during highway driving when the converter lock-up clutch should engage. Since you mentioned the symptoms get worse at highway speeds, this strongly indicates converter fault progression. I drove mine carefully to the workshop, but looking back, that was risky. With your mileage and the described symptoms, I recommend getting it towed to avoid potential automatic gearbox damage. The recent transmission fluid change ruling out a simple maintenance fix actually mirrors my experience. Fresh fluid rarely fixes a mechanical converter failure once the lock-up clutch starts acting up. Important warning from my case: When the converter symptoms progressed, metal particles from the failing components contaminated the transmission fluid. This required additional cleaning during the repair, increasing costs and repair time. Based on my transmission repair experience: Schedule the repair ASAP, Use a flatbed tow service, Request a full system inspection, Consider getting the radiator transmission cooler flushed, Have them check the solenoids while the automatic transmission is open The investment in proper repair saved me from complete transmission failure, which would have been significantly more expensive to fix.

Thanks for breaking down the A4 transmission repair details. The grinding and slipping during warm operation definitely matches what others experienced with failing torque converters. My mileage is actually 186895KM, which seems to be a common point for these automatic gearbox issues to surface. Really helpful to know about the metal particle contamination risk. Given the symptoms are worsening at highway speeds and the lock-up clutch is acting erratically, I will take your advice and get it towed rather than risk more transmission damage. The transmission fluid change we just did 2 weeks ago not fixing anything confirms this is likely a mechanical converter problem rather than maintenance-related. Will call around to transmission specialists tomorrow and arrange a flatbed transport. Quick follow up, when you had the transmission repair done, did they need to order any special parts or were they typically in stock? Just trying to plan for potential wait times. And did you notice any other warning signs I should watch for while waiting for the tow truck?