Tranny slip can be caused by a number of things. Worn or glazed clutches or
a pressure problem is the usual culprits. A bad torque converter can also be
a possibility but that is rare.

Usually a pressure problem will show up when the tranny is hot unless a
clogged screen or bad pump is restricting flow when the fluid is cold.

A tranny shop can do a pressure test for you. Either a pressure problem or
worn clutches most likely will require an overhaul. This is a fairly simple
tranny. Any competent shop should be able to handle it for you.

Dennis

>From: Troy <colorworks@GCI.NET>
>Reply-To: Troy <colorworks@GCI.NET>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: automatic transmission slippage
>Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2007 00:25:09 -0800
>
>Hi folks:
>
>Just did a search in the archives for transmission slippage, and came up
>with a minimal amount of information mostly relating to warn clutch. I have
>an 89 westy with an automatic transmission, so that wasn't much help.
>
>Just got done having a Subaru conversion done, so needless to say I was not
>pleased when the automatic transmission started to slip first thing in the
>morning while heading up a pretty steep hill. Don't know if slippage is
>normal when the transmission is not warm and pushed suddenly. After the
>tranny warmed up, I drove for 300 plus miles with absolutely no problem.
>
>The fluid and filters are brand new. Need to doublecheck the levels, which
>I have not done yet, but since this vehicle just came from the shop, I'm
>assuming (perhaps incorrectly) the correct amount of fluid was added. The
>transmission has about 108,000 miles on it. I'm told the vanagon
>transmissions are quite robust, able to do 200K+ miles, assuming properly
>maintenance. I just dropped close to $1000 on preventative maintenance for
>this thing back in September.
>
>I know next to nothing about transmissions, so any help would be
>appreciated. Is Darryl from AAA transmissions on the list or does someone
>know how I can contact him?
>
>Thx,
>
>Troy --whose sail has been deflated after spending nearly $9,000 on an
>engine upgrade, only to find out he has transmission problems now.