Checking main pressure — VW
Checking main pressure on VW: factory workshop procedure. Full factory text, tools and checks.
Workshop procedure for VW — the factory write-up, straight from real workshop data.
📋 Procedure
ℹ️ Torque figures below come verbatim from workshop data — always cross-check against your vehicle's factory manual before final tightening.
Special tools, workshop equipment, test and measuring appliances and auxiliary items required
V.A.G 1306 Drip tray
V.A.G 1331 Torque wrench
V.A.G 1702 Pressure tester
VAS 5051 Vehicle diagnosis, testing and information system
VAS 5051/3 Diagnosis lead
Additional information required
Workshop manual Caddy 1996 ▸, Polo Classic 1996 ▸, Polo estate 1998 ▸, Automatic gearbox 01M, self-diagnosis
Main pressure should be tested on a rolling road whenever possible.
Locations of diagnosis connections => from page
37-10
.
With ignition switched off, connect tester VAS 5051 to diagnosis connection using diagnosis cable VAS 5051/1 or VAS 5051/3.
=> Repair group 01; Performing self-diagnosis
Automatic gearbox 01M
Performing self-diagnosis
Remove bolt -arrow- for main pressure drilling. Always renew bolt.
Connect pressure tester V.A.G 1702 and tighten thumb screw.
Start engine.
Bleed pressure tester V.A.G 1702. To do this, loosen thumb screw and tighten when bleeding is complete.
Allow ATF temperature to rise to 60 °C.
Main pressure specifications at idle
Selector lever positions
D · R
Idle · Idle
Pressure in bar · 3.4 ... 3.8 · 5 ... 6
If there are deviations from the prescribed values, the following could be the cause:
Possible causes · Remedy
Idling speed too high · Adjust engine
ATF pump defective · Check ATF pump and renew if necessary
Sticking valves in valve chest · Renew valve chest
Switch off engine.
Solenoid valve connector
Press fuse together and pull off connector.
Start engine.
Main pressure specifications at 2000 rpm
Selector lever positions and test conditions
D · R
Engine speed ca. 2000 rpm · Engine speed ca. 2000 rpm
Pressure in bar · 12.4 ... 13.2 · 23.0 ... 24.0
If there are deviations from the prescribed values, the following could be the cause:
Possible causes · Remedy
ATF pump defective · Check ATF pump and renew if necessary
Sticking valves in valve chest · Renew valve chest
After test:
Disconnect pressure tester V.A.G 1702.
Install new bolt for main pressure drilling and tighten to 15 Nm.
Fit solenoid valve connector.
Once connector has been fitted, interrogate and erase fault memory.
TorqFix answers live for your specific car — tell it the engine code and it serves the matching sequence, torque figures and wiring for that exact variant.
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Who makes these pages, and how
TorqFix was built by a mechanic — after a 2,700 km drive with five roadside repairs that no diagnostic tool could explain.
The figures on this page come from manufacturer workshop documentation and are shown as they are. The page is assembled automatically from that data — it is not written by an AI. The AI works in the chat, where it answers for your specific car. It writes nothing here.
Variants of the same model differ. Cross-check torque against the factory manual for your engine before final tightening.
Seen a figure that does not match your manual? Write to us — we correct it and note when. support@torqfix.com
The story behind TorqFix →Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.