Transmission trouble in VW passat

We have a 2001 VW Passat and the gear numbers on the dash all light up after the car has been moving for a short time. it has a wee bang when it happens, kinda like a gear slip. it wont go into tiptronic mode either. any help please as to what may be the cause.

Fairly common issue--take it to a VW garage for repair.

and can you tell me what the issue can be so hubby knows where to start. he has basic mechanical knowledge. cheers

Lol sorry but going to the VW specialist IS the start, basic mechanical knowledge and auto trans disassembly don't go in the same sentence. If its the problem I'm thinking of it also affects Audi A4 of the era and involves trans removal and partial strip to fix. The repairer needs to know what they are doing simple as that.

Agreed. To try and do it yourself is inviting mechanical disaster.
No offense on your husband's abilities, but modern auto transmissions are now so complicated electronically, that they really do need a trained VW transmission specialist looking at them.

2001. How many km's?

where is the guru

Op, I see you're in Blenheim so don't really have anyone to take it too. I strongly suggest bring it over to nelson to see Audi doctor. He knows these things very well and wrecks them. If gearbox is stuffed it might not be worth fixing as can cost few thousand easily (one cost 6000 at nelson auto transmissions). Audi dr can get fault codes and diagnose and advise, he might know better way to fix it, or chuck in second hand box.
It's a hassle but worth doing, drive over, leave it with him and get bus home. I'll give you lift to bus station as I live close to Audi dr.

That's really nice of you tamarillo!

BTW, I agree too. There are several possible distinct causes and not all are overly expensive, but you really need to start with scanning it to get some direction.

One thing I would check first though, since it is a bit of a trip for you. That is whether the carpet feels damp in the passenger foot well and whether the front under the bonnet where the battery is located are clear.

Sorry for being over short with the reply.
The possible options fault wise will cost hundreds into worst case thousands to fix.But it needs to go to as a minimum a workshop with Audi/VW experience so a diagnosis can be made.
Its not something a home mechanic could contemplate working on.

At the risk of sounding contrary to my previous statement. I don't entirely agree with that.

A home mechanic if suitably motivated can actually do a reasonable amount of diagnosis and potentially even repairs in this situation.

Whether it's going to be efficient/economical is more my concern.

If the OP's husband wants to take a look at it, I would work along the lines of:

1. Check to see that the transmission control module isn't damp. As I alluded to above this is a fairly common cause of issues. If it's obviously damp and likely the cause, then yes this is definitely something that could be a DIY replacement procedure, achievable with basic knowledge and tools (so long as you can follow instructions). It's also potentially a LOT cheaper doing it this way.

2. If it's not possible or economical to get it to a VW repair specialist or at least someone with an appropriate scanner. You could consider buying VCDS, something that is potentially a good investment for any long term VW owner anyway. You need not necessarily buy a new setup either. I haven't looked to see what the applicable version will cost but micro can which is the version I have and use on the later stuff can be picked up from a couple of hundred dollars.

For that money, it may be worth it to get an idea as to whether it's going to be an economical repair.

3. I would suggest the OP visits the likes of the "Passat world" online forum and the nz forum vask.org. The international forums in particular have some fantastic DIY transmission articles and even videos. They will cover what I have already mentioned and even go in to mechatronic diagnosis and repair.

It all just comes down to how basic the persons skills are and most importantly how prepared they are to do some research and learning. Everyone has to start somewhere, I did, I do replacement and repairs of VW transmissions at home, and I am only a lowly sandwich maker apparently. The OP's husband will soon be able to gauge for himself whether these procedures are over his head or uneconomical. Deliberately cutting him off from making is own decision is potentially a bit short sighted in my opinion.