Launch control stopped working

[paul]

Interesting that they put a limit to it, I've only used it 2 or 3 times.

TBH as a consumer I am getting a bit sick of a car manufacturer telling me what I can and can't do to a car that I own. Infiniti didn't give me hassle on mods, BMW never gave me any second looks, but Audi is willing to bite the hand that feeds them and screw over their enthusiast crowd. While I love my S4 this will be at the back of my mind when it comes time to replace it. I've heard Porsche is more lenient..

It's a tough problem for manufacturers though. They put in the functionality but want to protect the transmission/drivetrain. If they leave no limit and try to void warranties then people will inevitably argue that it should be warrantied... Audi would contest that it's abuse (no different than dropping the clutch on a manual). Owners would then counter with the "if it's unsafe or bad for the car, why is it a built in capability." At the end of the day it would be nice to have the capability to override the limit but have it kill your clutch pack/transmission warranty and perhaps axles as well.

[NeedQuattro]

Damn, I would be happy to do 200 launches and not have a broken tranny. I've done maybe a dozen launches and I'm still not too confident doing them... lol

Be fortunate that these cars are not like the early year GTRs breaking after only a handful of launches and Nissan not replacing them under warranty

[ChrisM]

I've probably done about 40-50 launches in the 13 months that I've owned the car. Kinda wish they would tell us about the limit for 2 reasons: 1) It would make less automotively educated people like myself more aware of how harmful it is to the cars and 2) I wouldn't be "spending" them so freely…

I agree, the fact that this function is listed in the owner's manual made me think it was ok to use all the time, whoops.

[MrFunk]

Not sure why anyone finds it so hard to believe there is a 200 launch limit. It may be ridiculous, but VAG is not in business to replace high $$$ trannies, clutches and engines that have been bombed while under warranty. 200 LC starts is once per day for almost 7 months. The fact that you can doesn't mean that it is a good idea, or at least that must be how VAG views it. It was ran it up the flagpole to the Mothership with the TAC review - just looking perhaps to TD1 it based upon the hard driving/200 LC, knowing that such a car is likely modded?

As was said earlier, the best 0-60 times are mashed and not LC anyway.

Exactly...
200 times?!?! LOL... this thread was actually pretty funny to read through...

[dparm]

I agree, the fact that this function is listed in the owner's manual made me think it was ok to use all the time, whoops.

I don't remember what the S4 manual says, but in my M3 it does say something to the effect of, "use this sparingly as it causes high levels of wear to the transmission components and tires".

Admittedly I tried it a few times on my S4 and said "meh". The fact that the drag race guys didn't see faster times led me to believe it isn't helping much. The LC is fairly mild compared to some cars'.

[MrFunk]

I've probably done about 40-50 launches in the 13 months that I've owned the car. Kinda wish they would tell us about the limit for 2 reasons: 1) It would make less automotively educated people like myself more aware of how harmful it is to the cars and 2) I wouldn't be "spending" them so freely…

I agree, the fact that this function is listed in the owner's manual made me think it was ok to use all the time, whoops.

They probably didn't expect anyone to actually exceed the limit. They probably figured most people would do it once a month or so... Where are you guys launching your cars so frequently?!?! Every light?

[ZheHbKa]

ouch! there goes the fun factor :)

[ChrisM]

They probably didn't expect anyone to actually exceed the limit. They probably figured most people would do it once a month or so... Where are you guys launching your cars so frequently?!?! Every light?

We launch it out of the garage :) But really, I did it more frequently when I first had the car and passengers with me, now it is probably 1-2 per month.

[drew4392]

Who is that guy?

LMAO

[drob23]

They probably didn't expect anyone to actually exceed the limit. They probably figured most people would do it once a month or so... Where are you guys launching your cars so frequently?!?! Every light?

Guessing the opposite, that they expect people to do it and that's why they put in the limiter LOL. I remember back in the day when CA put speed limiters on cars, I think 95 MPH was the max circa Grey Davis ~2001

[Skidrowe]

So, can it be reset?

On a separate note and from the posted work order picture in the limit link above.



Look at the wording for the TD1 detection. It has been discussed that the TD1 detection is done "automatically" by the scan tool when they plug in the cars at the dealership. But the wording on the work order makes you believe that the tech actually has to initiate the TD1 scan before it will detect it. Who here works for Audi and can spill the beans? Is it automatic or are you guys just bullshitting us all about it?

The wording on the the work order leads me to believe that the tech is capable of initiating a check. That doesn't mean that it can't also be or isn't done automatically.

I'm curious if any of the tuners would like to find the 200 limit in the code and rev their tunes to include an increased limit.

-Skid

[Riu]

I have done it maybe 10 times since early 2011. I know its bad for the car so I dont do it. I did it two times in the last month to show a friend who was visiting. Before those two I dont think I had done one in probably 8-10 months.

Also helped that I did not know my car had this until a year after I bought it lol.

[iBleedOrange]

How does this play into the 2010 models that never had launch control and receive the GIAC TCU treatment? Is there a limited number of launches for those as well since it was never a standard from the factory?

[S!Lver_S4]

How does this play into the 2010 models that never had launch control and receive the GIAC TCU treatment? Is there a limited number of launches for those as well since it was never a standard from the factory?

+1

[Austin@GIAC]

How does this play into the 2010 models that never had launch control and receive the GIAC TCU treatment? Is there a limited number of launches for those as well since it was never a standard from the factory?

I'm having our engineers look into that.

[raudiace4]

LOL you launched your car "hundred times"? I've launched it a few times, maybe 5-6 in the 8 months of ownership.... You seriously didn't expect it to not give you problems did you?

[SwankPeRFection]

I'm having our engineers look into that.

While you're at it, ask your engineers to find a way to disable the counter altogether so the TCM doesn't keep a log of the launches. I would think that would benefit people more.

[sciblades]

I ran into this today with my s6 at the track, no more launch control I hit my 200 count.

[SwankPeRFection]

I ran into this today with my s6 at the track, no more launch control I hit my 200 count.

You've launched an S6 200 times?

Anyway, more important... What wheels are those in your Avatar pic?


Nevermind, I found your pics.

[LakeShow]

I launch mine at every red light I hit.

[sciblades]

I launch mine at every red light I hit.

Has any one come up with a fix or know of one please PM me I don't mind paying for whatever needs to be done buy no lc really sucks

Sent from my Z10 using Tapatalk 2

[mmmkam]

Is it possible to reset the counter via VAG COM?

[apexit1]

Maybe something a tuner can do similar to the flash count on the software.

[sciblades]

Is it possible to reset the counter via VAG COM?

Yes but you need the security code

Sent from my Z10 using Tapatalk 2

[SwankPeRFection]

Yes but you need the security code

Sent from my Z10 using Tapatalk 2

Can that be cracked the same way you crack the security code on the MMI to enable VIM? Show me the adaptation screen where this counter resides in VAGCOM...

[riegeraudi]

Even if a Tuner can reset the question is would you? Obviously Audi put that 200 limit there for a reason. There are clutches in there and these trannies are expensive to fix unlike a manual car.
I guess this is one reason not to buy a used S4 with DSG.

[levigarrett]

Even if a Tuner can reset the question is would you? Obviously Audi put that 200 limit there for a reason. There are clutches in there and these trannies are expensive to fix unlike a manual car.
I guess this is one reason not to buy a used S4 with DSG.

I've stopped asking these questions here.

Fuck it, this is a great forum, sit back and watch the show. Frankly, I wanna see the "rebuilt my tranny for launch control" thread...

[sciblades]

Can that be cracked the same way you crack the security code on the MMI to enable VIM? Show me the adaptation screen where this counter resides in VAGCOM...

[AKPS4]

There is a post on the C7 S6 forum about this. One of the guys there had is LC stop because he used it too much without knowing there was a counter... yes, it was Sciblades... lol so, its as easy fix with VCDS i guess? It is a real thing.

[sciblades]

well it is not an easy fix as no one knows the security access codes...

[AKPS4]

ah true. I would think customers have the right now know about this limitation before using the product no?

[sirsycott]

we need to find someone who works at a dealer with the mechanics, that way they can spill us the beans
or let vcds eventually have some documentation for it

[turbochips]

Posting here..... Mine is a 2013 A4 B8.5 2.0T s-tronic which also just hit the 200 launches limit!! didn´t know about it.

And just hit it just after I upgraded the exhaust to AWE and bigger FMIC. I was about to go for the 1/4 mile track and found it was not working anymore :(

[sciblades]

my audi dealer is going to attempt to reset on Friday, I will keep you updated on how it goes..

[tilmonr]

my audi dealer is going to attempt to reset on Friday, I will keep you updated on how it goes..

Did they say how much it would cost?

[schirm]

If you buy a used DSG, bring it to the dealer first to see how many launches the previous owner(s) has done. You can get an idea of how beat on the car was.

[raudiace4]

If you buy a used DSG, bring it to the dealer first to see how many launches the previous owner(s) has done. You can get an idea of how beat on the car was.

I should have done this.... Although my car only had 10K miles on it. I hope the previous guy didn't launch it at every stop light....

[IGOFAST]

It gets old after doing it 3 or 4 times


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sciblades]

Did they say how much it would cost?

New mechatronic unit runs 3k

Sent from my Z10 using Tapatalk 2

[SwankPeRFection]

New mechatronic unit runs 3k

Sent from my Z10 using Tapatalk 2

Are you telling us the flash count is in the mechatronic unit and they can't reset it without changing that out? If so, the launch limit isn't on the gearbox itself, but the brains in it that control fluid flow and shifting characteristics. Goofy...