98 VW Bug Transmission

Automatic transmissions for that application are up there in the thousands. List price to you the customer being roughly around the 4 thousand dollar range for a brand new unit.

In the meantime I'd try to manually set the basic settings for the transmission shift points. With the car parked and off, turn the key on (engine off) and slowly press the accelerator pedal down until you reach the bottom, then hold it there for 15 seconds. After that, turn the key back off. You can repeat as necessary if you feel you need to.

Stuck in 2nd gear sounds like the computer-induced limp home mode, might not need an actual transmission but the ECM for the trans should be scanned for fault codes and go from there.

And first try that reset procedure that madeisio suggested...that's "free" :)

If that doesn't work (the reset) then start looking at a fluid and filter change. Dealers might try and tell you that the fluid is lifetime but honestly I believe that virtually no auto fluid is lifetime. Even if it's synthetic, while it might not break down, you can get debris floating around because of general wear. OK yeah so there's a filter. But then in turn you have a filter that can get pretty plugged up, or deposits that deposit themselves somewhere else before they get to the filter (although usually magnets take care of that but the magnets can get covered). So it's a good idea to drop the pan, clean it out, change the filter, etc. Auto transmissions can't work properly if the fluid can't get where it needs to go so before worrying about a mechanical issue ($$$$$$) it's good to make sure the fluid is at the right level and can get where it needs to go first (not so many $).

Unfortunaly I cant check the level on my own there was no dipstick... I ended up having to take it to a transmission shop. Cost 2700.00 ... The torque converter (sp) was not good and the transmission was shot. I guess the folks who sold the car got rid of it, knowing it was going bad, and I bought it not knowing as it was running good. I do have a 2 yr warrenty on the new rebuilt tranny which is better than what the dealership would have given, and way way cheaper. I want to thank yall soo much for trying to help. I am sooo car clueless .. so I will be coming her a lot for help. The guys at the shop were really nice, and I feel I can really trust them. I have a good feeling bout them. May sound weird but its a gut thing. Again .. Thanks for all your suggestions .. Im sure I will be back ..

The funny thing was the dealership guys told me it was a sealed system, that fluids would never need changin or addin. I now know that is soo not correct.

Matt B. wrote: