Audi Repair: 1996 audi a4 quattro, audi a4 quattro, 1996 audi a4 quattro

Question
Hi Jan,

My transmission is shifting hard from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd about 90% of the time the other 10% it is smooth.  It is very sporadic with no real pattern.  It will shift hard then I turn off the engine and when I start it again it will be smooth.  Vag Code I pulled with a cheap cord I bought is:  

00545 - Engine-Transmission Electrical Connection
  28-00 - Short to B+

Do you think something is simple as a wiring issue could cause this?  Also if I wouldn't to look into clearing this code how could I access the ecm to check the wiring.  Will I have to disassemble the dash and would you do have any advice on the best way to get to the ecm?  Thanks a lot!

~Tom

Answer
Yep you do have an electrical problem, these transmissions use solenoids to switch gear.  The ecm should be under the hood, but what I would do is find the electrical plugs from the transmission and follow that to connectors.  Check each connector for corrosion.  There is a ribbon wire into the transmission which often fails, and this is a more involved repair.  You don't need to get into the dash...  Let me know,  Jan