[HardcoreHenry11]

’04 GLS TDI B5.5 Sedan

Help! Any suggestions welcome!

I am having an issue where, every once in a while as I'm driving mildly uphill, at around 3000RPMs, I will have a severe loss of engine power. It brings the power down to the point where I can only hit around 2300RPMs and it just becomes quite sluggish. However, this has only happened a few times, and the car will drive correctly after being restarted.
I am inclined to believe this issue is connected with other problems I am having. I would link to my previous post if I knew how.

My other problem with this car is that 50% of the time when I start it, it starts in "transmission limp mode" with all drive modes selected. (PRND432 all illuminated in the dash) When I restart the car a few times it will start correctly not in "limp mode" with only one drive mode selected at a time.

I have replaced the TCM and I have a neutral safety switch/transmission range sensor on hand to be installed by my mechanic. I haven't had it installed yet though, (with holiday time off delays).

The neutral safety switch that I have I bought on amazon for around $50, I think its from a brand called SURIEEN. It wasn't my first choice but after digging around the internet I found this one had good reviews, also I couldn't afford another $400 part after having just bought the TCM.

Do you think this cheap part will work?
Should I buy another more reputable part just in case?
Do you think these issues are related?
Any comments or suggestions are welcome!

Thank you all for welcoming me to PassatWorld on my previous post!
Happy New Year to all of you!

 

[Arthur Camargo]

friend, notice if the moment he becomes weak, he changes gears, it may be that your gearbox is entering an emergency

when going into emergency, it engages a high gear

try switching to manual mode and see if you can change gears normally

 

[Tobias]

See if LQK has a u pull it yard near you with the part you need.

 

[Tomvw]

The neutral safety switch (multi function switch) is likely the cause of your problems.

 

[passat03wagon]

If I were you I'd try a different MFS. I went through two of the Surieen MFS where my reverse lights wouldn't always come on. See my review on amazon. Here's what I wrote the company:

"During investigation I checked the car's wiring. Also I used a multimeter on the switch (pins 7 and 8) and was able to isolate the problem to the switch. With either switch when the car is in reverse, the signals to the transmission are correct but the back up lights do not always come on. Sometimes the independent circuit for the back up lights has high resistance and sometimes it is open. What is even stranger is that I cannot reproduce unless the switch is tightened to the transmission. I have an old Intermotor ZFS switch and I put it in and tightened it and cannot reproduce the problem at all. "

I ended up buying the Standard Motor NS-349 (not OEM any longer, AFAICT) for a lot more money but at least I don't have to worry about my backup lights sporadically not working.