can't check fluid in PARK

[danny boy]

I changed the trans fluid and filter after buying the car because when I checked the fluid level it showed it being about 4 qts overfilled.When I drained it 5.5 qts came out. The book says 3.2qts s max cap.
When I pulled the pan off, there were a bunch of little steel pins in there.
"Hmmm, those were probably important."
I put everything together and poured 3.2 qts back in. I started the car, shifted through all the gears, the car wouldnt move. I put the car in neutral, checked the fluid, and it read low. I put another qt in, still low. After I put 5.5qts back in, it read at the full mark.
I checked in PARK, it read way too full. The car shifts fine, doesn't slip, but wont accelerate at all, and Im guessing the trannys to blame.
When I first put it in gear, I have to wait about ten seconds before I can move it or the tranny will slip.
Can anyone shed some light on the subject?

[InvaderGST]

To check the tranny fluid level the car must be in Neutral and running at idle. Checking it in park is not accurate. Also if it takes time for you to get into gear when you first start the car then your tranny pump is taking a shit. That means it's wearing about and takes longer to prime. It happened to me where I would first start the car and it would not get into gear. But after it's warmed up it works fine.

[LaserCool]

Invader, you just described something that happens in my '91. Every moring I start the car it won't move in Drive, so I drop it in Low, and upshift manually for a couple miles. Once the coolant temp gets to about operating temp, the trans runs fine.

Think my tranny pump is taking a shit too? If so, where can I get infor on repair/replacing it?

[InvaderGST]

That was what happened to me recently and it was the tranny pump being worn. I had to pay $250 for a pump from the dealer. Basically if you are not a mechanic your gonna have to take it to a tranny place or dealer. Like before I would first start the car and have to rev it around here and there to get it to reverse out of my driveway. Then I would cruise down the street and it would lose gear. Then I would just sit there and put it into drive and eventually it would catch into gear and then I would have no problem. I could even shut the car off and go and be fine, but once the car sits there off for a while like an hour or so it would repeat itself. So I knew the tranny oil was not priming right until the car warmed up. So if it just started to do that for you and you have pretty cold winters it's gonna be a lot worse when it gets colder.

[brian bizzell]

my 91 awd tsi does the same thing. i also have the overfill problem. when i bought the car i checked the fluid level and it marked @4qts. too full. also at times the car will bog down real bad. i am convinced that the problem is also the trans. when it bogs i can put it in neutral and rev up the motor and the motor revs great. i think it is the torque convertor. any suggestions??

[danny boy]

That is EXACTLY my problem. I will be swapping in a different tranny/TC and t-case either this weekend or next, if it stops I'll let you know. Does your boost guage flutter when it starts to bog?

[All4Smoking]

The car does not need to be in Neutral. It is the same exact thing as being in park. either on should give you an accurate reading. the only difference betwee the two is that there is a park pall applied when in Park.

[brian bizzell]

my boost gauge does not flutter when this happens. but this bogging problem has really been pissing me off! good luck with your swap. let me know if it fixes the problem or not!! i may try some minor things to fix my problem, but i am working on my other talon. hopefully i can get it going so i will not have to put up with the bogging anymore!!

[tsi91at]

TO check the fluid do this. Warm car to normal operating temp. Take shifter (Brake on, so you dont move aroung during this) and run thru the gears. P-R-N-3-2-1-2-3-N. Check it in Neutral.

This pushes the fluid around thru the valve body and tranny channels to a checkable level.

Overfill and you will know once it gets Hot, it usually spews out of dipstick.....:eek:

Charles
http://www.plymouthlaser.com

[KY_4G63_1G]

I am having the exact same problem w/ my tranny during acc and shifting when it sits for awhile...So there is bascially multiple different things that could be wrong for this to be happening?

[91_Talon_Owner]

The correct way:
Originally posted by tsi91at
TO check the fluid do this. Warm car to normal operating temp. Take shifter (Brake on, so you dont move aroung during this) and run thru the gears. P-R-N-3-2-1-2-3-N. Check it in Neutral.

This pushes the fluid around thru the valve body and tranny channels to a checkable level.

If, after making sure the fluid is at the correct level, the car still exhibits intermittant transmission disengagement, then your trans fluid pump is probably the culprit. To check the fluid pump without removing the transmission, place the car on jack stands, or a suitable lift, start it up, put the car into "L", and remove one of the trans fluid cooler lines from the tranny. If it sprays fluid, then your fluid pump is working. If you don't have any fluid coming from the trans, then your pump is shot. Please have a friend help you with this, because its *kinda* dangerous to try this on your own.

[brian bizzell]

hey 91 tsi owner, exactly how do you put the 95 pistons in the 1st gen. i own a 90 and a 91 tsi. i have the motor out of the 90 want to put the 95 pistons in mine. how does it run. has it been down the quarter mile yet?

[Blackboost]

Originally posted by brian bizzell
exactly how do you put the 95 pistons in the 1st gen.

Here's the info: http://hometown.aol.com/rcm1061/myhomepage/auto.html