This relates to my 5.3 Trailblazer but I figure I can get the right answer here since the A4 is pretty much the same used in the 4th gens.

Yesterday I developed bad transmission problems while driving. First noticed it when the truck dropped out of 4th gear around 60 mph under a normal load. The rpm's went up about 1k and the tranny would not shift back into 4th. Stopped within a mile and parked it. Had a look under the hood and at the tranny fluid. It has gone brown and had a slight burnt smell. Hopped back in after a couple of minutes and the tranny shifted into 2nd, 3rd, and 4th but you can hear the and see (tac) the engine revving higher than normal before it goes into the next gear. I also noticed when applying the brake that when downshifting I can also hear a sligth over rev or louder than normal revving noise coming from under the car.

Have I lost the TQ? Is it just not locking up properly anymore which is why it's having trouble locking into each gear as I accelerate?

Any idea? I can provide more info if asked something specific to help diagnose. If it's the TQ I have a TQ from a 95 Firebird that I can throw in right?

 

This is not a torque converter problem. Which shift is starting to go away? The 2-3 shift is the most common.

 

hey my 95 z28 is having this exact problem but mine is 3rd an 4th so it takes excessive amounts of gas to keep it going even 40mph.
any tips on a quick solutin to just get me by for a few mor months until I can aford to get my tranny rebuilt?