T1 V6 - Problems after VB replacement

bryanmcdan · Mar 27, 2022

Hey, so thanks to everybody here for the help already through posts and responses. I just bought an ‘06 Tiguan V6, during the test drive it was shifting very rough and hesitating to shift at all (short test drive around the apartment complex). Replaced the VB with a random one off of eBay because it was the only one I could find on a somewhat shorter timeframe…it will drive around now and doesn’t slam gears anymore, but the RPMs are all over the place between shifts. Revving way up, then barely responding to throttle at all, then back up again, back to normal and then a nice smooth shift. Intermittent shifts are rough but mainly seems like it’s due to RPMs not matching vehicle speed- more shift shock/catch-up with an occasional rough shift still.

Long story short, it’a better than it was but certainly not “fixed.” Reading through a couple of other threads it sounds like it could just be another bad VB from the seller, any chance it could be something to do with a sensor/controller giving bad info to the tranny instead? I don’t have a problem taking it over to a shop at this point and letting them do some analysis but if it sounds like it’s still the VB, then I can return this one and buy from a better source, just gotta wait it out.

Micheld7 · Mar 27, 2022

I can't say much to what your issue is, but I would not trust any random parts on ebay, especially something critical like the VB. If you have no idea where that VB came from, where its made and which manufacturer, if I were you, I would return it and get it from a reputable company like Revmax.

bryanmcdan · Mar 27, 2022

Micheld7 said:
I can't say much to what your issue is, but I would not trust any random parts on ebay, especially something critical like the VB. If you have no idea where that VB came from, where its made and which manufacturer, if I were you, I would return it and get it from a reputable company like Revmax.

Yeah I realized how foolish it sounded while I was typing it….looking into 1 or 2 other possibilities simply because it did take away the slamming shifts, but that’s a good place to start for sure.

TommiT · Mar 27, 2022

Are you sure the level is correct?

And see the latest post here #282:

T3 Transmission flush idea, with wonderful drawings.

Excuse my crude MS paint artwork, but this is an idea I had to flush the transmission fluid in my T3 8 speed tranny. It comes from the same method I used to use to change the tranny fluid in my R50 Nissan Pathfinder. However with the Pathfinder you would just allow the cooler line to dump 2...

www.clubtouareg.com

bryanmcdan · Mar 28, 2022

Thanks for the responses, I did go back and drain from the drain plug then re-fill through the standpipe. Cranked it up and let it run, went through gears/reverse until it was warm, then checked with it running and filled to level. It took a total of just under 2.5 gallons to get it full.

It went from 1-6 twice from a dead stop, no problems apart from being rough in/out of reverse. Huge improvement from the previous valve body (stalling out and banging gears) but still have the following issues after it warms up: rough shifts/slipping after shifts from 2-3 and 4-5, and in/out of reverse is always rough. Downshifts are smooth, 1-2, 3-4 and 5-6 are consistenly smooth at temperature. The other thing I’ve notice is what almost sounds like a chime or steady beep for about 2 seconds before each shift, sounds like a very muffled version of the language censoring sound used on TV…no codes or lights after a mile or 2 of driving up to about 40mph.

The shifts listed above are rougher when more throttle is applied and it doesn’t slip out of gear unless it’s uphill or abouthalf throttle or more. Thankfully I’ve got a half mile flat road and a hill right next to the house, so I can do some light testing without going far.

*edit
Found a good link with info on the control valves, seems like it could be the K3 control valve? So perhaps the old valve body was shot and this replacement is better but still has a bad K3 valve…gonna run this by a guy who does trans rebuilds/swaps and get his $.02 on it, anybody here tried just swapping a single valve to solve specific shift problems? I’m reaching out to the seller of the VB I got to see if they’ll cover it, they claim a 6 month warranty on it.

Micheld7 · Mar 28, 2022

1) About 2.5 gallons/10 quarts is the right amount. I got in that same amount when I did mine. So it is not low on fluid.
2) I have done the pedal reset thing and it kinda works, but you can reset the gear box using VCDS and it works. it undeniable, the difference. Easy to do. If you have VCDS, I can post the instructions..
3) Going deeper into the transmission would require money and time and it my not even be the transmission, but again, I would start by putting a VB from a reputable company, just to rule that out of the way.

Is the VB you installed, a remanufactured one or just unbranded aftermarket?

bryanmcdan · Mar 28, 2022

I do not have VCDS, thinking about getting it but honestly I bought the for Toureg for $2k on a gamble hoping that the VB would fix it (which again, could still be me getting a bad refurb) so if it’s going to require much more than what I’ve already got into it then I’ll hold off until later on and go through it more in-depth. I know the shop right by me has a VW specialist, I used to take my Jetta to him before I sold it a while back, so he should be able to provide a lot of guidance once they open tomorrow. They should be able to try the more thorough reset in house there.

The VB was from the only one I could find for less than $500 shipping from the US instead of China or Russia, but was advertised as refurbished and warrantied. I’m hoping it’ll end up either being something like a TCM or simple programming, hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. I really thought I’d just put whatever amount needed into it and sell it to make a few hundred $$$ but it’s such a smooth ride when it’s still cold and has everything we’d need as a family vehicle…pretty hard not to want to hold on to it and just save up a little more to do a deeper dive. I see why you guys have a community around these things now!

Micheld7 · Mar 28, 2022

Let us know what he say

T1 V6 - Problems after VB replacement

bryanmcdan

Micheld7

bryanmcdan

TommiT

T3 Transmission flush idea, with wonderful drawings.

bryanmcdan

Micheld7

bryanmcdan

Micheld7

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