Trany won't engage in either drive or reverse for 1999 Volkswagen Passat with 1.8L engine: No codes

Question:

How do you check if the trany is OK or not quickly without going to a garage?

ATS Advisor:

You can actually do this by measuring your oil level at the trany dipstick tube. All you do is compare the level when engine is off and after it has started. If the trany is OK, the level should go down at least 1/4 of an inch when engine is started. This shows that the trany pump is working inside, otherwise if no movement, trany is probably damaged and needs further testing by a trany garage.

ATS Quick Tips:

If trany has no dipstick, you can also feel the hose connection of the trany oil cooler. If oil is circulating after starting, the hose will harden as soon as the engine is started (or hook up your own oil pressure gage teed to the oil coller hose).

Be careful when going underneath your trany or contact ATS for proper procedure.