Gearbox Malfunction

[Robdukes]

So it finally happened. 110k miles and I just got the error "Torque limited due to clutch temperature". I was driving for 2 hours when it happened. So I had hoped I could still do quick trips until I get it fixed.

I let the car sit overnight in the garage and took it out to see how it did. Made it about 20 to 30 miles total and saw the temp of the trans module according to OBD11 was around 82 celcius and a few seconds later i got the code again.

I called the closest Audi dealer and asked for a quote on mech repair kit. He said they dont offer a mech repair kit for my vin. Only the whole mech at $2900 parts and 6 hours or $950 labor. I said they absolutely do have a repair kit as its a common fail point on this model year S4. He said nope, cant get it for your car. I offered the product code number but he just kept saying he can only do the whole mech. Sounds like BS to me.

So Im now planning to buy the kit and do it myself. Ive always worked on my own cars anyways. Im not super skilled but can get most things done. I hope it fixes it as I love the car and not sure what other car I would even want in like a 30k price range if I had to sell it. Other than another S4. And if thats the case i might as well fix and keep mine.

Anyways. Im starting to ramble. Opinions?

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[XLR8 Craig]

If you really wanted to replace the mech unit separately you can do so. The cables, sensors, and valve block should all be available separately (I believe the SKU for that is 0B5 398 009 F, but can confirm if you want to PM me your VIN). Add a filter and some pan gaskets to the list and you should pretty much be good to go.

The Audi dealer may have been saying they could not do it for liability reasons. If they are more comfortable/experienced with a direct swap rather than replacing pieces, I can not imagine this is something they would want to come out and admit, in which case I would imagine they would fall back to telling you parts are not available. All speculation but not entirely unheard of.

Have you tried to touch base with any other Audi dealers out of curiosity? You may end up needing them for a re-learn in the long run once everything is re-assembled.

Sorry to hear you have been having troubles but hope you can get everything figured out!

[Robdukes]

Thanks Craig.
The code its throwing is P17D800. Torque limitation due to clutch temperature.

I opened OBD11 and had live data of trans control module temperature and trans fluid temperature up. As I sat in stop and go traffic it rose from around 50 celcius to 68. Then I got in line at Starbucks and it rose to 82 celsius by the time we got coffee. As soon as I pulled away from the drive through i got the fault and it was limiting the torque. I could only barely touch the throttle or it would cut off torque.

So I had assumed it was a time limit thing. But it seems that time limit is greatly affected by the stop and go traffic.


So im hoping the mech repair will fix the issue and its not really the clutches.

[Robdukes]

I wanted to give an update to this thread because I did the mech repair kit yesterday. Was able to thoroughly test it today. On a trip to take my wife to ac moore I hit bumper to bumper roadwork traffic for about 25 minutes. Drove to the city about 20 more minutes. Sat in starbucks drivethrough for a bit. Finally, I took the long way home that climbs a steep and winding mountain. I did sport mode on the mountain and carved it up.
So if it was going to error on me..it definitely would have with all the stop and go and then spirited driving but NO GEARBOX MALFUNCTION!! It worked.



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[Robdukes]

One more update for anyone who faces the gearbox malfunction "torque limited due to clutch temperature" fault.

The mechatronics repair kit completely fixed the issue. Not only did it fix the fault. The car shifts smoother than it ever has. I wish I did the mech repair a few years ago.

Ill outline a few notes about doing the repair and include a few pics.

1. Check if you have both the internal and external trans filter. I did have both with a 2011.

2. A pump siphon kit is super helpful for refilling DSG. Make sure you fill till it drips, then hand screw fill cap back on and start the car. Monitor the trans fluid temp (i used obd11) until it hits 40 celcius. Then remove cap and pump more fluid in. Mine took another quart before it was spilling out again. Total of 6.5 bottles of DSG fluid went in.

3. Dont use ramps for your front wheels and jackstands for the back. You'll have to remove the X-brace and having weight on the front wheels can damage the subframe. Use 4 jackstands. Or a lift of course if you have access to one. But be safe. I always put a jack under the car (not holding weight, just snugged up) as well as a failsafe.

4. Ground yourself by touching the frame of the car (below the radiator is an easy spot) before touching the mech unit because static can damage it.

5. They send what seems like 4 extra green rubber insulators with the repair kit. There happens to be 4 solenoids on the back of the 4 plungers on the mech unit. I assumed they were meant for the connectors and it ended up working out.

6. The toughest part can be and was for me hooking all 4 of the gear selectors when putting the mech back up in. I thought I had it on the first attempt but upon closer inspection the second one up didnt connect. I must have slightly moved the plunger with the hook in while taking the unit down. Then since It missed and I had the mech fully seated..it pushed the plunger in even further.
Ended up checking how far out they were and 3 out of 4 were around 32-34mm. So I moved the plunger to there and it worked on that attempt.

7. Have lots of paper towels, rags, and wear clothes you dont care about.

Hopefully it works out for you as well as it did for me. If you have any questions about the process, Hit me up and I'll help If I can.


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[Drharsimran]

Hi
I’ve fault Codes P17d800(torque limitation due to clutch temperature ) and P14000(clutch temperature ) in Audi A6 3.0 Tdi 2011 model done 83000kms . Mec kit was installed at 30000kms
Kindly help .Thanks

[Drharsimran]

Sorry P174000 ( clutch temperature )
So I wanna ask is my mech unit has malfunctioned again or is it something to do with clutch ? Please help thanks

[bfowlzr3534]

Sorry P174000 ( clutch temperature )
So I wanna ask is my mech unit has malfunctioned again or is it something to do with clutch ? Please help thanks

If you haven’t had a DSG service done then your mechatronics probably needs repaired again. Are you slipping gears?


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[juan400hp]

Different transmission code after mech unit harness replacement*

2011 S4
90k miles

after TPMS gearbox malfunction light I got the car scanned TWICE. 2 different shops. BOTH with same conclusion . 1 code. To replace mech unit harness .. it was skipping gears. Only working 1,3,5,7 with or without reverse OR ,2 ,4 ,6 with or without reverse.*

I purchased replacement mechatronic unit harness from Audi, replaced it myself ... immediately most problems went away. Now car only drives on 2,4,6 & reverse. Had car scanned again and ONLY code says " gear 2 selector mechanical malfunction " .....if it was so. Wouldn't that code had also shown before on previous scans?

[fastboatster]

I think you might have installed your mech unit incorrectly. Did all gear selector hooks engaged their shift forks?

[juan400hp]

From as far as I could see, Yes . But now I'm starting to question myself . 😂