Auto Gearbox Heater...??

[BridgeyBoy]

I have previously posted about my 2002 1.9TDi auto which will not move out of first gear from cold. Idle it for 10 minutes if its not been used (such as first thing in the morning or if its been parked up for several hours) and it changes up and down fine.

I have changed the gearbox oil twice and checked the current level so I don't think it is oil related as such. That said, it seems very odd that as soon as the oil is up to temp, the gearbox works perfectly.

This happens every time the car is used so I don't think its an electrical/wiring issue as surely this would happen on and off if it was (correct me if I'm wrong!).

Anyway, I have also noticed that the heater seems to take a very long time getting warm and its usually 15 minutesor so before the engine temp gauge creeps off the 50 degrees start point. I'm guessing therefore that the aux heater is perhaps on the blink. My question is, is there anyway these two could be connected? Does the aux heater assist in warming up auto gearbox oil?

Long shot I know and I think I already know the answer but seems very odd that this gearbox problem only happens when cold, once temp rises its perfect and this happens every single time the car is used without exception...

Any thoughts?

[BridgeyBoy]

...By the way, although I have VCDS and a lead, I haven't managed to run diagnostics due to my laptop being a works laptop and having restrictions on ports etc.

I will be getting a mates laptop in the next couple of days and trying it on that...

[Chrispb]

There are a lot of electrical parts inside the box which can go faulty, any of which could be affected by temperature change.
VCDS should reveal if electrical.

[SilverBeast]

Slow to warm up could also be a faulty engine temperature sensor (mine was and this shows on VCDS-LITE) or a Thermostat stuck open (which I thought mine was, but it wasn't).

Could also be the brushes worn out on your "Run-On" pump.  This would cause the booster heater (assuming it's working!) to overheat and shut down as the water wouldn't be moving round the system fast enough to get the heated water away from the booster heater.

[Mirez]

Unfortunately no, they won't be related.

Have you tried experimenting with different box oil? It might be worth seeing if you can get a thinner oil?