auto Golf drops out of gear ?

[jackal]

my folks have an old AUTO mk4 golf as a spare car

sometimes when it changes gear it seems to come out of gear but then not go into the next gear and all drive is of course lost, somtimes it hesitates but more recently its taken to staying out of gear completely

i think by modulating the throttle or putting it into N then back into D the correct gear is then engaged but obviously its pretty dangerous to drive

any ideas ? would this be a software issue ?

[megane225]

first check the oil if you didnt,any electronic prob should show on the dash ...like check trans... oh , the oil you should check with running warm engine.