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'86 MK1 automatic wont move in drive when warm

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MK1 stops moving in drive. Restart and in moves some.

Hi,
     Just took my my 1986 MK1 automatic out of storage.  It stopped moving in drive, but moves in reverse.   When it stops, if I shut it off and restart immediately it will move several lenghts of itself before stopping again.  Any opinions?  Does the transmission require rebuild or could it be just the filter?   Fluid level is good.:(

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Did you try starting off in the lowest gear, or the second gear using the selector?



To me it sounds as if the forward clutch is fubared.

see:
https://www.reflectionsandshadows.com/a1-tech/BIGATSG.pdf

see:
The 010 Lost Knowledge Thread | VW Vortex - Volkswagen Forum

A rebuild is probably going to fix ya.

Over here years ago, I bought a master rebuild kit IIRC it was about 200 USD and a new Torque Convertor, which was 89 USD + 100 dollar core.

The second time I bought a tranny with 89K on the clock, and put it in on Dec 23rd…  It was 400 shifted like a dream, and was quicker and easier than rebuilding it.
 

What do Divorces, Great Coffee, and Car Electrics all have in common?

They all start with GOOD Grounds.

Where are my DIY Links?

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I never tried selecting a lower gear and I'm away from my car now.  I also learned that the previous owner had added fluid but didn't see a leak.  Do these cars have the same arrangement as a bus, whereby the transmission fluid can leak internally into the differential?

Thanks!

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Yes they can, but what usually happens at least on me was at the top there are 2 air expansion vents (round plastic covers.  When you do the intermix, you will see atf fluid weep out of these ports.

Over filling the atf is just as bad as under.  I would try the select other and D and see if it goes.

It could be as simple as the shift cable isn't fully detenting in each gear, so it don't know what to do.

What do Divorces, Great Coffee, and Car Electrics all have in common?

They all start with GOOD Grounds.

Where are my DIY Links?

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Thanks!  I'll see what I find out when I get home next week.  Just trying to prepare now so I have a plan and don't miss too many days with the top down.

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Ok, back to my car today.  Appears to be slipping (car will move some) in all fwd gears, 1,2 and D.  Still moving great as far as I can tell in R.  N and P are also selected correctly.  Could thus be cable adjustment, or does this point to fwd clutch?  Anything else I should check before pulling the pan or removing tranny?    Any use in changing fluid and filter or will test be a waste of time and I should go directly to rebuild?    

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you can only change 3 quarts of the 6 quarts of oil there are 3 in the torque convertor that won't drain.  You can do the dilution method, but you have to drive the car about 3 miles, then swap out 3 and all 3 about 4 times.

What do Divorces, Great Coffee, and Car Electrics all have in common?

They all start with GOOD Grounds.

Where are my DIY Links?
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