Date:         Sat, 23 Oct 1999 11:05:32 -0500
Reply-To:     Robert A Pal <PALCLUB@PRODIGY.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert A Pal <PALCLUB@PRODIGY.NET>
Subject:      Auto Trans/Towing
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Bentley p. 6....."if care with automatic
transmission must be towed with front
wheels lifted because of extensive
damage.....if towing speed will exceed
30 mph or distance over 30 miles.
Exceeding these limits will damage
transmission."


Our 84 GL stopped dead on the highway back in July.  The only way the garage
was able to tow it was with the front wheels lifted.  I know that he was
going at least 50 mph, but only drove for about 10 miles at this speed (to
get it off the highway) and then about another 5 miles at 30 mph (to get it
to the garage).  They ended up replacing the alternator and we never had any
trouble.  Until about September.  It would shift fine from 1st into 2nd but
never get out of 2nd.  I could see external leaking so I drained ATF,
thoroughly cleaned the pan, screen and replaced the gasket with new.  It
cearly doesn't seem to be leaking from there anymore, but still from
somewhere else.

I was in the process of moving and had to drive it and by the time I got to
the new place it would no longer drive in reverse.  After sitting for two
weeks it will go in reverse, but unbelievably show, like 1-2 mph.

Question #1:  Do you think the tow back in July with the front wheels lifted
damaged the automatic transmission?  Bentley clearly states that exceeding
the limits will damage it.  But, it doesn't go into "what/how" it will be
damaged.  Does anyone have any ideas?  What am I up against?  Anything I can
tackle on my own (with the help of the Bentley)???

Question #2:  All throughout the Bentley there are little notations in the
illustrations.  What are these?  For example, on 38.20 in Fig. 2 there are
the following:
        --VW408a
        --VW401
        --VW402
        --US 1099

My first guess would be the VW part number?  But, what about the US numbers?
Sometimes it looks like the numbers are pointing to a tool, maybe?