Questions and Answers

Volkswagen Golf Hard Shift Q. Dear Vince, I recently bought a 1996 Volkswagen Golf GLS automatic. It is fuel injected, has power steering, A/C, P/S and ABS. I have noticed recently that, after it has been sitting for awhile without being driven, the first time it is put into drive, the automatic clutch does not engage right away. It only does so after revving the engine slightly at which point it jumps forward.

Feels very much like popping the clutch in a car with a manual transmission. It does not do this when put into reverse. It is also not a problem if it has been driven, put into park, and then back into drive. Can you please give me some advice as to what the problem might be and what I should be aware of if I need to take it in to get repaired?

Thanks in advance.
Chris

A. The first thing I would recommend is a transmission service. It may just be a partially clogged transmission filter. I don't recommend a flush, just replace the filter and whatever fluid comes out. Look on the torque converter. If it has a drain plug, drain the fluid from it as well. Hopefully this will take care of it.