James, thanks for the heads up on who can service these beasts.

I'm still learning what is and what is not on this thing.

John

On 6/27/2014 9:57 PM, James wrote:
> Our '91 auto Weekender does 30 MPH at 2800-3000 rpm in second gear on uphill grades (whether by using the kickdown, manually downshifting, or just accelerating uphill from a stop).  5000 rpm at 30 MPH sounds to me like your torque converter is in serious trouble, or perhaps you have the wrong fluid in the transmission.  (Frank Condelli just changed our fluid and serviced our transmission, and reminded me to stick with Dexron III, not other fluids (not even Mobil 1 synthetic ATF) in the transmission.
>
> In terms of getting the transmission serviced, remember that it was not just used in Vanagons - transmissions shops that are familiar with Audi 4000 and 5000s can also work on it, as it was used in those cars in the 1980s and early 1990s as well.
>
> James
> Ottawa, ON
>
>> Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2014 19:48:28 -0500
>> From: jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM
>> Subject: 91 Carat w/auto tranny - weird shifting
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>
>> My newly somewhat restored Carat behaves strangely - to me, anyway -
>> when shifting. Drove up a pretty good grade with it and all I could do
>> was 30 mph. If I put the pedal to the metal to get on up the hill - the
>> engine would kick down into 2nd gear and simultaneously over rev to 5000
>> rpm. My 88GL will pull that hill handily at 45mph in 4th.
>>
>> I think this is about getting some tranny and engine adjustments so it
>> simply runs smooth when shifting gears. But how to sort it out is beyond
>> me for the moment. It's my first Vanagon with auto tranny and the
>> learning curve is pretty steep.
>>
>> Any input would be appreciated.
>>
>> John
>
>