I was at the track today and had a problem develop. I made 2 runs and everything was fine. Went to make my 3rd run and here is where it started. Pulled into the water box and did my burnout. Crept up to the line and waited for the light. Light goes green and I take off and its moving slow as hell. Thought to myself, ok the car must have left in 2nd gear. I got on the return lane and came to a complete stop, gave it a good amount of gas and had the same problem, seemed like the car was starting in 2nd gear. I have a 95 so i couldnt try and manually downshift into 1st. I let the car sit for a little while before I attempted to drive it home. Car sat for about 30 minutes and then my first gear came back, and had no problems the whole way home. I know its starting in second gear and not just slipping in first bc once I get up to 2nd gear MPH the car starts to pick up like it should. Anyone have any idea whats goin on inside this thing?? I am getting pretty tired of this A4 poopin out on me. Thanks, Dustin.

 

It could be a possible bad 1-2 shift solenoid.

 

If it also loses 4TH, it COULD be a bad "A" shift solenoid. Are you sure it's not a 3RD gear start. This would be "fail safe", or "limp mode". The computer could be picking up a slip. There are many reasons for it to go into fail safe. Did your "SES" light ever come on? You might want to have the car scanned.

As far as the "A4 poopin' out on you". That's an easy one. Send it to us, and you'll never have to worry about it again.

Frank
CPT