VW Crafter Auto Trans Grinding & Slipping Issue Alert

Had similar issues with my VW Transporter T5 2009 diesel. The torque converter was indeed failing, showing identical symptoms, transmission slipping, grinding during gear changes, and warning lights. The automatic transmission needed major work. The torque converter had internal wear causing metal particles to contaminate the transmission fluid. This required a complete transmission repair including converter replacement, new seals, and a transmission fluid flush. This is a serious issue that typically indicates end-of-life for the original torque converter. Continuing to drive with these symptoms risks complete transmission failure. In my case, the repair restored proper shifting function and eliminated the engine surge issues that came with the failing converter. The repair involves removing the automatic transmission to access the torque converter. Most shops will recommend replacing several components while the transmission is out to prevent future failures. After repair, the transmission performed like new with smooth gear changes. Key warning signs to watch for: Delayed engagement when shifting from park/neutral, Shuddering feeling during acceleration, Grinding or whining noises, Slipping between gear changes, Error codes related to converter clutch Best to address this promptly before more extensive transmission damage occurs. Consider having the transmission fluid analyzed to check for metal content before proceeding with repairs.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the torque converter failure. Your symptoms sound exactly like what I dealt with. I am curious how much you ended up paying for the complete automatic transmission repair? Also, has everything stayed working properly since the fix? The lock-up clutch in my converter is starting to show similar issues now and I would like to budget properly before heading to the shop. Good to know about the transmission fluid analysis, will definitely request that first.

Since having the automatic gearbox repaired 3 months ago, everything has worked flawlessly. The total cost came to 2120€ for fixing the defective torque converter, which included replacing the lock-up clutch assembly and performing a complete transmission fluid flush. The repair eliminated all the previous symptoms, no more transmission slipping, grinding noises, or engine surge issues. The automatic transmission now shifts smoothly between gears without any hesitation or shuddering. The warning lights have stayed off since the repair. The investment was worth it since continuing to drive with a faulty converter would have led to complete transmission failure. The shop also provided a 12-month warranty on the repair work, which gave good peace of mind. Getting the transmission fluid analyzed first is definitely smart, it helped confirm the converter fault in my case and ruled out simpler issues. A proper diagnosis ensures you only pay for necessary repairs.

After getting such helpful feedback, I finally took my Crafter to a transmission specialist. The fluid analysis confirmed metal particles from converter failure, just as others experienced. The total repair came to 2350€, covering the torque converter replacement, new lock-up clutch, and complete fluid flush for the automatic gearbox. The repair process took 4 days total. They had to remove the entire transmission to access the failed converter. While in there, they also replaced some worn seals to prevent future leaks. The mechanic showed me the damaged parts, the lock-up clutch was completely worn out and the converter housing had significant internal wear. Two weeks after the repair, the transmission shifts perfectly with no more grinding or slipping. The engine surge is gone and both warning lights cleared up. The shop gave me a 1-year warranty on the work, which helps justify the cost. Looking back, addressing this early probably saved me from a much more expensive complete transmission failure down the road.