Gear changing was bad - worse after oil and filter change
 

I've had my 97 D2 A8 for about 18 months and love it. The past couple of months the auto shifting had become more vague and inconsistent, at certain revs it would shift down, then back up, then down again etc. So I finally took it to my mechanics and they changed the gearbox oil and filter. It is now even worse.... As well as even worse shifting behaviour, it whirrs on initial selection in lower gears - and a couple of times has packed it in all together and goes into limp mode. This seems to be caused by heavy braking, though obviously is not something I have tried to replicate.

So is this the end? I have heard horror stories of multi-thousand pound gearbox rebuilds and I'm not really sure I'm committed enough to invest that sort of money in to it... Is that likely what's required or is there an alternate fix. I really don't want to scrap it as other than the gearbox it's really a fantastic car in great condition...

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/Njc2WDEwMj...VcNYq/$_86.JPG

The PF gearboxes are supposed to be v reliable compared with the FL boxes. However, it is normally highly recommended to get the box serviced at a ZF approved (or other recommended) gearbox specialist. The filling routine needs to be undertaken carefully (at the correct temperature etc). Some of the behaviour you have described (limp mode on braking, for instance) could be level related.

David, I think it's the older 4-speed boxes you're thinking of. ;)

If this is a 5-speed it could well be the "kill or cure" nature of the change on a 5-speed 5hp24A box.

Either way, it's worth getting the level checked/topped up (at the correct temperature) if that is feasible.

How many miles and did whoever changed it comment on the condition of the old fluid/filter?
(My old PF was pretty mucky and improved a lot after the change at about 135000 IIRC, but sadly didn't last much longer for a multitude of reasons)

If it's to do with taking up drive it could be the torque converter rather than the box - what fault codes is it logging when it drops into limp mode?

My mistake. Assumed it was PF and didnt look at the picture either. :o

It is PF, but they did have 5-speed boxes.

when did PF change to 5 speed ?

Sorry, no idea, but mine (1998) was a 5-speed. IT would know for sure.
The change with FL was to put S mode in instead of the D432 selection (or was it D4321?).

frankly I would be straight back to where the work was done , tell them you have taken advice and been told it is symptomatic of either the wrong filter being fitted or the oil level being wrong [ did they stand the car overnight before doing the job to get the temperature correct ?
have a look to see the gearbox code

still not certain if this is 5 speed or not ! you don't say what engine you have but IIRC the code quoted is for 5speed on a 4.2 , 3.7 has 5HP19A I think , but don't take my word for it

1997