You can try changing the oil filter in it. Sometimes they get clogged with
clutch and band debris. Otherwise, it is coming out. Either the direct
clutch has failed or there is a major internal hydraulic leak. Although you
can use a pressure gauge to do some troubleshooting as per the Bentley, I
don't bother. The problem will be obvious when it is disassembled.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Finn Runyon
Sent: Saturday, September 09, 2000 10:16 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: 87 Westfalia automatic transmission problem

The automatic on my 87 Westfalia suddenly and without any prior problem
stopped engaging.  If I accelerate hard, the van will red line remaining in
1st, and a slow build up to speed will cause an upshift to 3rd @ about
3000rpms.  I have changed the fluid faithfully every 20,000 miles for the
last 50K I have owned it.  The trans has 160K on it with no known rebuild.
Is is time for a rebuild, or is there an easy fix given the sudden nature of
the problem?
Thanks for your help, Finn Runyon