924Board.org

[john h]

I have a 924 auto that I'm putting back together for my daughter to use and when we took it for a drive in the weekend, it was even more gutless than I remember.

Firstly you had to really rev it to get it to move off but once on the move it sort of went ok, but going up hills, it seemed to be acting like a manual car with a slipping clutch. When we got home and drove round the yard it went really well in reverse didn't have to rev the crap out of it to go.

I'm not familiar with auto's so is there some adjustment that can be made to make it go better (forwards) or is it rebuild auto time?
_________________
Remember a Porsche is not just for Christmas,

if you take it to pieces slowly it can provide anguish all year long!

[Smoothie]

I'm no auto trans expert, but did manage to disassemble, rebuild, reassemble, and have work properly on reinstallation, the auto trans in my Jeep Cherokee.
There are clutch parts (collectively known as a clutch pack), as well as "bands" that have a thin friction material bonded to them. Either of these can slip due to wear, lack of auto transmission fluid, or needing adjustment (the bands).
First to check obviously is the fluid level and condition (if it smells burnt, that would be not good).

Mal-adjusted limkages and/or a disconnected linkage can cause this type of problem as well.
_________________
"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."


'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox

[gohim]

Not worth taking apart to repair if it broken.

I don't know anything about adjustments on the 924 auto tranny. But if you can't get it to work, look for a used one. Lots available for less than even a 4-speed manual tranny goes for.

[968rz]

I'm no expert either but have a question. Are you sure it's the trans and not the parking brake, they can act like that when stuck part on (drag going forward and lose going back). I also wonder what happens if you put it in first/second on the shifter.
_________________
Rick
79 924 coupe Petrol Blue 3spd auto (wife's DD)
93 968 coupe Amazon Green 4spd Tip (my DD)

[john h]

[Smoothie]

I don't know if the 924 auto has an equivalent linkage, but take a quick look before driving again - near the throttle for any linkage that might be for the transmission.
Because -
My moms' Ford had a small linkage come loose at the throttle which resulted in serious damage to the transmission and a >$2000 repair. That cars' symptoms were like yours - it drove fine level and downhill, but struggled and slipped going uphill.
_________________
"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."


'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox

[poorsha924]

Hi John.
Not to be a gloomy Gus. but two words you do not want to use togther is Porsche & automatic . These transmissions even when operating perfectly are still preform poorly. If you must fix it I would recommend you to have someone well versed in automatic trans repair perferably Porsche rebuild it..There are to many components that can be bad to you could miss. a transmission tech knows what to look for. Maybe you should teach your daughter to drive a stick I taught both my daughters You wont lose to much hair
Poorsha 924
_________________
79 924S snailshell
audi big bore t-body
16" turbo wheels

[RC]

Yes theres a lever at the trans, same shaft as selector, that is the kick down control. Porsche call it throttle pressure (or similar) that leads via cable direct to the accelerator pedal. Theres a little link part and retaining clips to check there. Also the adjustment of both this cable, at the trans, and the selector cable, according to specs in the book.

Naturally check the fluid level, warmed up, idling in P and on level ground. What colour is the fluid? Stick your finger or white rag in the filler reservoir. You know how it looks new. If it is dark red its due for a change, brown indicates burnt friction plates or bands, while dark brown, a burnt smell and a not smooth feel is bad news.

My guess is that the forward clutch has gone. Most likely worn friction plates but could be as simple as a damaged seal on the actuating piston. Either way it involves dismantling to diagnose and a rebuild. Or the easier and probably cheaper option of just replacing it with another used second hand unit. They may go for scrap in the US and perhaps not much more in NZ if someone changed to manual or had one rusting in a paddock. However if you have to buy one from a Porsche dismantler it may well cost as much as a rebuild at a shop. Definitely more than the parts if you can supply the labour. Personally would prefer a known good rebuilt unit that will last to a 30 yo one with a 30 day guarantee if you`re lucky.

Not an AT expert either but have rebuilt a few including one of these. Its just a common VW type 087 box. A rebuild kit containing new frictions, steels, O rings, shims, circlips gaskets and possibly bearings too was around $250 IIRC. Have since seen them for less than US$100. May also need some other parts that can be got new through AT suppliers (not Porsche) or even SH from AT dismantlers or repair shops that often have a heap of old ones out back.

If the problem doesnt rectify itself get some advice from local shops. Walk or drive away as fast as possible from any that say ooh Porsche ones are expensive to fix and trust the guy that says its a VW box and will depend on whats wrong with it. Either way you will save money removing/ replacing it yourself. Easier than a manual IMO.

[DOCO]

Hi john being a transmission expert allow me to offer you some advice. to all that rc has told you +1.this trans is a volkswagan 087 transmision. the trans bolts on and off the differretial housing.being a porsche its probly a little diferent than a front wheel drive vw.this trans. is more than likly smoked due to a low fluid level caused by a leak,or just a lack of mantainance.not having played with a auto porsche before im sure that the trans.can be removed by leaving the diff intack in he car.there is no big secret in this transmision and are quite easy to rebuild.ive done a 1/2 dozen of them in vw before.if your in need of building parts i can probly help you out there.dave
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Doco "where am i going and why am i in this handbasket"author unknown
79 924 N/A "Webster"
_______
/______\
[+]___[+]
\0 924 0/
[__]..[__]
"WEBB STR"

[Ozzie]

There is also a lever on the side of the box which is connected to the throttle cam on the inlet manifold.
This cam needs to be set up properly at rest and with the foot flat to the floor.
After that with the foot flat, the lever on the box should have about 1mm left to go to reach its stop (UP) position.
This sets up the box for gear changes, kickdown etc.

Fluid checks ^ definite must.
_________________
Porsche 924 1984 (UK import) NA
Its AUTO and its BLACK
Montego Black on black/red
Engineer of Electro/Mechanical Systems Maintenance

[john h]

Checked all the usual stuff like linkages etc - so I think that RC's diagnois might be correct - fluid was all nice and clean. I have just spoken to previous owner and he mentioned that he had just carried out a full service on the car (inclusing auto fluid change) befor the car "seized" on him. What he also just mentioned was he had the car towed for about 30 miles in Drive at about 50 mph as he forrgot to tell the towie it was an auto, guess this could have contributed to problems
_________________
Remember a Porsche is not just for Christmas,

if you take it to pieces slowly it can provide anguish all year long!

[Ozzie]

In that case I would say the bands are stuffed.
_________________
Porsche 924 1984 (UK import) NA
Its AUTO and its BLACK
Montego Black on black/red
Engineer of Electro/Mechanical Systems Maintenance

[DOCO]

good day again theres only one band in that transmission and it ONLY controls 2nd gear.forward frictions are burnt.dave
_________________
Doco "where am i going and why am i in this handbasket"author unknown
79 924 N/A "Webster"
_______
/______\
[+]___[+]
\0 924 0/
[__]..[__]
"WEBB STR"

[ideola]

Probably not an option for you in NZ, but FYI, here is a relatively freshly rebuild auto trans in Georgia:
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/pts/1042578956.html
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

[john h]