Re: Rough auto shifting question:'93 90S

[Elliott Potter <epotter@abraxis.com>]

Daniel Adams wrote:
> 
> >Here's the original question, slightly edited for context:
> >
> >I'm checking out a '93 90S to buy.  It's got 138K miles, but feels
> >good to drive.  One thing concerns me; I think I feel a slight roughness
> >in the auto-trans during up and downshifts, and maybe a slight delay
> >after power is applied, but I'm more sure of the roughness than
> >the delay.  I'm an ex-mechanic so I'm attuned to this stuff.
> [...]
> If the car
> you are looking at is an early 93 like mine (built 9/92) it may have  the
> early version of the transmission, which has a different computer (more
> expensive) and few other distinctions.

Sorry about the late reply, but I thought I'd toss in a few useless
facts:
The 90 series started out with a 4 speed automatic transmission code
097, but Audi modified the transmission early in 1993 (if your 90 has a
1993 build date, it probably has this) that was referred to as the Phase
I 097 transmission (CFV).  Some changes:
-Modified 2 of 3 clutch assemblies for quicker application and release
-New planetary gear assembly with revised gear ratios
-Revised valve body for improved shifting during low engine load
-New shift points programmed in transmission software
The original 097 transmission was designed to shift from 3rd to 4th gear
in several steps, but the phase I transmission performs the shift in one
step; mostly due to the new clutch assemblies.  Also, the 3rd and 4th
gear ratios are closer together, and 1st and 2nd gear ratios are farther
apart.  These two steps were taken to give the transmission smoother
shifting characteristics.

The two transmissions use many of the same components, including the
outside case assembly, so the only way to tell by looking at the
transmission is to look for the transmission code CFV, which is on the
transmission case near the engine, on a little piece of metal that
sticks out towards the dipstick tube.  The code is with the date of
manufacture, so:

ARC01071 = ARC (code) 01 (day) 07 (month) 1 (year...'91)
or
CFV30013 = CFV (code) 30 (day) 01 (month) 3 (year...'93)
.

I've got this new transmission, and while I wouldn't say it's smooth as
glass, I wouldn't call it "rough"...just "noticeable."  Definitely a
sportier feel than most automatic transmissions you see.
--
Elliott