A3 1.4TFSi auto oil change or mechatronics?

[Sadjers]

Hi my A3 1.4TFSi has more recently been failing to engage drive when starting of cold. There we no abnormal indications. I put it back into Park and then reselect Drive and off we go, no further problems. The only indication I am getting is the gear selection indicator on the dash is flashing. 

This weekend it dropped all power when driving and coasted to a stop whilst on a motorway. The RAC said the fault code was saying low gearbox oil pressure and something about protecting the pump.

So far my local gearbox specialist advice it is the Mechatronics unit but lots of other advise implies it's just a gearbox oil and filter change. It will cost £1250 for the Mechatronics unit and I don't like the car that much. Advice would be gratefully received...

[Stevey Y]

4 hours ago, Sadjers said:

Hi my A3 1.4TFSi has more recently been failing to engage drive when starting of cold. There we no abnormal indications. I put it back into Park and then reselect Drive and off we go, no further problems. The only indication I am getting is the gear selection indicator on the dash is flashing. 

This weekend it dropped all power when driving and coasted to a stop whilst on a motorway. The RAC said the fault code was saying low gearbox oil pressure and something about protecting the pump.

So far my local gearbox specialist advice it is the Mechatronics unit but lots of other advise implies it's just a gearbox oil and filter change. It will cost £1250 for the Mechatronics unit and I don't like the car that much. Advice would be gratefully received...

Hi, try giving the gearbox an oil service and if that won't work then you have a real problem but it would a shame to get rid never really knowing if it might have been something as simple as a service, if it works happy days and it will make the car a more attractive proposition to the next owner.

Steve.

[Sadjers]

Hi Steve, thank you for advice. 

Any idea of a good YouTube video?

[Sadjers]

Steve, I called Audi who told me my Stronic gear box is a sealed unit. However a garage has said they can get a kit and still change the oil. Quoted £240. Price seems reasonable but I wonder whether this is genuine. Is it possible to change the oil in a sealed unit gear box?

[Stevey Y]

1 hour ago, Sadjers said:

Steve, I called Audi who told me my Stronic gear box is a sealed unit. However a garage has said they can get a kit and still change the oil. Quoted £240. Price seems reasonable but I wonder whether this is genuine. Is it possible to change the oil in a sealed unit gear box?

Hi sorry for the late reply, yes they can change the oil as the manufacturers have to have a hole in it to fill it up, Fords had the same idea but people got round it by sucking the old oil out through the filler hole and then refilling it, by now some bright spark will have found a way of changing the filters as well, as for youtube I must admit I have never looked at this problem but I will now and if I find any thing I will let you know.

Steve.

[Stevey Y]

Hi, done some digging and come up with the fact that the only true sealed unit gearboxes were fitted to A4 models pre 09 this was dropped after 09 as it was not very popular with the motorist, Audi are now saying that all the units are FILLED for life which is rubbish most of them have one filter cartridge on the box that needs changing except in the case of the ZF version which has an internal filter as well which will involve the sump being removed, the box also uses two types of oil ATF for the auto part and standard gear oil for the bit with the cogs in it.

Steve.

[Syed]

Hi Mate,

I am currently experiencing the exact same issue and was wondering what you had done to resolve the issue?

[wezar]

Hi all did anyone fix problem my audi a3 2008 automatic goes in all gears but not reverse just flashing on dash turn engine off and on goes in i have changed oil and filter still doing it 😉 

[Steve Q]

6 hours ago, wezar said:

Hi all did anyone fix problem my audi a3 2008 automatic goes in all gears but not reverse just flashing on dash turn engine off and on goes in i have changed oil and filter still doing it 😉 

You'll need a diagnostic check to see if any fault codes flag up. But I'd say it could be the megatronics unit.