Used Transmission Installed in car, it shifts aggressively?

2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLI
118,000 MILES • 1.8L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
DANXTREM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I just bought this car for a friend; previous owner got a lower mileage used transmission from the exact same model and installed it into the car. the car shifts into drive and reverse very harsh and punches the car forward, shifting through gears 1-4 is very harsh and is pretty un-driveable, top gear number 5 shifts pretty smooth while on the highway and runs fantastic, down shifting is almost just as bad.
Jun 18, 2023 at 4:29 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
STRAILER
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 53,854 POSTS
Is the speedometer working or do you have a check engine light on? If the speedo is not working, I would make sure the sensor is connected and if so, replace the sensor here is location so you can check it out, if it is working, we should run the codes.

This guide can help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

I have also seen the wrong transmission fluid cause this issue as well. You may want to change out the fluid, this is how.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-service-an-automatic-transmission

I have also seen the transmission fluid temperature sensor short out which a code should show. I have left the locations for the sensor in the images below. This guide may help as well.

Planetary gearbox
Lubricant .................... VW ATF
Part number .................... G 052 162

Check out the images (below). Please let us know how it goes

Jun 19, 2023 at 6:22 PM
Avatar
DANXTREM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The speedometer does seem to be working, check engine light is on. I also have a few other lights on because the previous owner cut 1 ABS wire, “ABS, TCS, Brake, Brake Pad Wear. There is 1 code that I’m unavailable to look for at the moment, but it does have a 7 in it. thank you for replying to my message.
Jun 19, 2023 at 7:24 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
STRAILER
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 53,854 POSTS
No problem, happy to help. Please let me know what codes come up. Also, I would try the fluid change because the incorrect fluid can cause this issue.
Jun 20, 2023 at 3:38 PM