S4 Transmission Grinding: Lock-up Clutch Issues & Costs

Had the same issue on my 2018 A6 3.0 TDI. The symptoms matched exactly, rough shifting and grinding noises pointed to torque converter failure. The lock-up clutch inside the converter was wearing out, causing engine surge between gear changes. The repair required removing the transmission and replacing the entire torque converter assembly. This is a major job since the transmission needs to come out to access the converter. The clutch problem was causing metal particles to contaminate the transmission fluid, which could have led to complete transmission failure if left unrepaired. The repair took 3 full days at the shop. They also needed to flush the transmission system thoroughly to remove all contaminated fluid and particles. After the fix, the transmission shifted smoothly again with no more grinding or surge issues. This is definitely a serious transmission issue that needs immediate attention. Continuing to drive with a failing torque converter will eventually destroy the transmission. Getting it fixed early prevents more extensive damage and costlier repairs later. The symptoms you describe are very typical for torque converter clutch failure, especially at that mileage. Would recommend having it diagnosed and repaired at a transmission specialist rather than a general repair shop.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the auto transmission repair. The symptoms and repair process you described match what my mechanic told me about my converter fault. Did you remember roughly what you paid for the full transmission repair job including parts and labor? Im trying to budget for this fix. Also curious if youve had any other transmission issues come up since getting the torque converter replaced? In my case, I want to make sure I address this clutch problem before it leads to complete transmission failure. Any insights would help with planning the repair.

Thanks for asking about the costs. After having my automatic transmission torque converter lock-up clutch fixed, everything has worked perfectly for the past year. The total repair came to 2120 Euro, which covered the new converter, transmission fluid flush, labor, and all associated parts. The transmission repair has proven worth every cent, no more grinding, rough shifts, or warning lights. The automatic gearbox now operates as smoothly as when the car was new. Getting it fixed early definitely prevented more extensive transmission damage. Since the repair, I have not experienced any other transmission issues. The key was addressing the converter fault promptly before it could cause cascading problems throughout the transmission system. Regular fluid changes and maintenance should help prevent future clutch problems. I made sure to save all repair documentation in case any warranty issues came up, but the fix has been solid. If your symptoms match what I experienced, getting it repaired sooner rather than later will help avoid a complete transmission failure.

After reading about your transmission problems and getting great advice here, I wanted to share how my repair went. I took it to a transmission specialist last week who confirmed the failing torque converter diagnosis. The automatic transmission repair ended up taking 4 days total. The lock-up clutch was completely worn, with metal particles throughout the transmission fluid. They had to remove the entire transmission to replace the torque converter assembly and do a thorough system flush. The final bill came to 2350 Euro including parts and labor. The repair shop showed me the damaged parts and explained how the clutch problem could have led to total transmission failure if left unfixed. After the repair, the transmission shifts perfectly again with no grinding or warning lights. Really glad I got this fixed when I did. The transmission specialist did great work compared to my previous shop experience. Going to keep up with regular maintenance to hopefully prevent any future auto transmission issues.