Transmission and electrical Help

First time poster. Not sure what to include, so here is everything. 1994 Passat GLS Automatic. Has had a sluggish transmission (2-5 seconds to engage from park) and never was a real issue but, about 10 miles into a trip the car died at a stop light. After a few minutes it started but all the forward gears were insanely weak. Reverse is fine. I am hesitant to think that it is merely a bad transmission. I am leaning toward sensor or relay or something electrical or computer.

There is also an electrical issue. The dimmer dial overloads, gets hot, and smokes when it is on the dimmest setting. It is fine when on high. I cannot find the short that is causing the overload. But the car has been garaged for several months and the battery which was only a month old when the car was parked, is now completely flat. There is an electrical draw somewhere and I cannot find it. I re-connected all the lights and there is no change. The only thing that was different which could have caused this is I put a box in the normally empty trunk so I thought I had knocked something loose.

The two issues occurred about 4 months apart, the dimmer thing first then the transmission.

Any input would be a help. I really like driving the car and hate to give it up.

Thanks!!!!

When you said you put a box in did you do ant wiring to the car?
as for you dimmer sitch just replace it it is bad the reistore is failing that is what is causeing the high smoke do to high resitance through the dimmer switch.
as for you battery. it will go dead if not in use. just have it checked it may need to be given a good charge that will helpp alot.
as for the Trans you may have a some codes in the TCM. Have the car scanned to see if there is any conerns that may have happened do to low Battery.

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When I put a box in the trunk, it was just that. I put a cardboard box in the trunk. I thought I may have knocked something loose.

I replaced the dimmer with a brand new one and it overloaded just the same.

There was not an electrical draw that caused any battery drain that I noticed until it was parked (for 7 months now) due to the transmission problem. So just sitting will cause the battery to go completely dead? I even tried jumping it with one of my other cars to no avail.

I will have it towed to the local Volks Mechanic and have the codes checked.

Thanks for your input. It is very much appreciated.

Hey let us know what you find out. Smile

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http://www.vortexautomotive.com