She's Back!!! with issues :(

[S6XTC]

So after 5 weeks of owning and 4 weeks in the shop she is back!! Now after spending $6000 US on the gearbox I would expect it to drive like a new one... Without having VAGCOM I cant scan her for codes and its driving me nuts... So ill post the issues here and any light that can be shed on any of these issues would be greatly appreciated....

1. Still gets the low rpm fluctuation.... so cruising at low speeds (50kp/h) it surging a few hundred rpm... we also call it "hunting" Now a lot of what i read says that this is the torque converter which in my parts list says was "reconditioned" the other thing is it just doesn't feel right while driving, the revs seem to jump up in between gear shifts then settle again but really quickly, it actually feels like it has less power now than before they rebuilt the trans...

2. If I go full lock on the car (say to make a U turn) there is a noticeable shuddering, almost like the rear or center diff is locked???

3. Just got back from a short drive(20km) and i have a warning light on the dash... It's the triangle with the circle around it which I've looked up in the owners manual and says its the electronic stability program -

This is my first Audi and I know they require a lot of maintenance and I'm pretty handy on the tools just thought I'd get a bit of time to learn about all the systems and weak points before having to deal with all these issues this early on in the game

Thanks guys
Adam

[AudiTechS4]

what did you replace ?

[studioRS]

He had his tip transmission rebuilt.

Glad you got it back!

One thing I noticed with mine when I first got it. I let my daughter drive it in a student street survival auto cross school and she hammered on the S6 for the day. The instructor made her put it in sport mode on the tiptronic,I swear it ran better after she thoroughly drove it hard for the day. She took all glazing off the brakes and the S6 actually ran and shifted smoother.

1. I get a sight rpm fluctuation at just under 2k rpms as well, more like a really mild occilation, while holding the peddle steady. But if I let off the accelerator and then slightly depress again, it goes back steady? I think it might be the drive by wire throttle...

2. Possibly the Torsen center diff. These have a tendency to do this. I wish this S6 had the old school lockable quattro diffs I had on my two ur-quattros! Man I miss those.

3. If the light is on the dash, the ESC somehow got toggled off, which is a good thing for where I live in the snow:-). Or possibly it went non-functioning because of a sensor, not sure. I know mine works when the switch isn't depressed and then toggles off when I hit the switch and the light comes on the dash. Then it drifts great in the snow because the ESC isn't kicking in.

I'm still learning my S6 too, so the more knowledgable and experienced tech gurus will have to chime in and set us straight.

[S6XTC]

what did you replace ?

pretty much everything inside the trans.... including "A" clutch drum, all new clutch plates, 1 new solenoid (all others tested), "repair" lock up converter.....

Need some of these 4 ring guru's in on this as I'm not sure what to do next...

[S6XTC]

I'm also thinking I need to find another C5 with the hp24 trans to "test" drive so I can compare.....

[suth31]

6000$ for a tranny rebuild... damn. I hope it comes with a warranty? I can't help you with your problem, so i am sorry. But i wish you would have invested 6000$ into a manual tranny swap, damn... good luck

[rollerton]

ESP light on the cluster can also be bad / maladjusted brake light switch. If you have just that and no other symptoms that would be my first guess.
But, you'll have to scan it to see.

[S6XTC]

ESP light on the cluster can also be bad / maladjusted brake light switch. If you have just that and no other symptoms that would be my first guess.
But, you'll have to scan it to see.

Thanks Rollerton... I've been waiting to post in here for me :)
I gave it back to the shop yesterday as like i said it just doesn't feel right
Rollerton what are your thoughts on the low rpm surge? - Everything I've read points at the torque converter but was wondering if you had come across any other issues that can/have cause this... I'm working on getting a cable and some software here in nz any tips? would love to get the rosstech stuff but the nz -usd is shocking and I think I've spent enough on this old girl this week...

[S6XTC]

6000$ for a tranny rebuild... damn. I hope it comes with a warranty? I can't help you with your problem, so i am sorry. But i wish you would have invested 6000$ into a manual tranny swap, damn... good luck

Comes with a 1 year or 30'000 km warranty... The way it all happened it was going to cost 10'000 (NZD) to convert it to manual and getting parts here is really hard....

[rollerton]

If your low RPM surging happens under power, very light load, just cruising down the road ...then...yeah....it really does sound like torque converter. Typically...I think...engine related things that can cause uneven idle and surging would affect idle too and throw error codes- at least the USA cars have REALLY sensitive emissions monitors.
If it idles really nice and runs great and the engine isn't giving any efficency errors then that's a tough one.
I'll say that it sounds exactly how my old B5 S4 was when it had a bad torque converter. Very very slight RPM fluctuation under only very light throttle. Pretty much not noticeable 99% of the time- but once you DO notice it, then it's noticeable.
With that price tag I'd push pretty hard to have them fix it- at MINIMUM you need to know what "repair lock up converter" means. Torque converter is a welded-together-assembly. It's NOT something you just take apart and fix in an average shop- every torque converter from every different model would require a seperate jig and parts are kind of obscure I think.
Find you what they did to the TC for sure. If they didn't replace it..not sure what you can do. If it were me and they did NOT, I'd consider buying a replacement TC and telling them to pull the trans back out to swap it.

[S6XTC]

Its exactly as you describe it (very light load etc) and yes idle is perfect not hunting or fluctuating at all... A new TC is about $3000 ($2266 USD) here :( I will push to find out what "repair lock up converter" means as they have charged me $650 for this... Im so gutted my introduction to audi has been this bad....and this expensive....

Just spoke to the my local mech, He has put the car in the air and found it leaking tranny fluid where the loom goes into the trans and also in another spot... a trans code is there (didnt tell me which one) but said it was "trans load fault" which im thinking is torque converter??
....Get this... the trans place tried to charge me $120 for a tow truck to get the car to them!!!! After i paid $8k NZD to them for the work.... RAGE!!!!!

Thanks for your knowledge and input Rollerton, these boards are lucky to have you floating around my man...

[rollerton]

I have a the TC from my old trans that I think has about 5k miles on it-. It was perfect when I swapped the trans out. It's yours if you want it.
Also, try Scotty for a upgraded TC- they're nowhere near that much money. That price is almost what the ENTIRE transmission cost straight from Audi, new in a crate WITH a TC- per the work order on my wife's S6.
Shipping is tough for you- but it shouldn't be that ridiculous.
If the error is "load calculation cross check error" then it's more like the MAF or N80 valve or something. I have NO idea what they could have done to the torque converter short of outright replacing it- I'm going to guess nothing. Send me a shipping label and I'll send you a Torque converter.

Something about one version of the load error
------> http://www.justanswer.com/audi/1kdl4...a6-4-2-c5.html

[S6XTC]

I have a the TC from my old trans that I think has about 5k miles on it-. It was perfect when I swapped the trans out. It's yours if you want it.
Also, try Scotty for a upgraded TC- they're nowhere near that much money. That price is almost what the ENTIRE transmission cost straight from Audi, new in a crate WITH a TC- per the work order on my wife's S6.
Shipping is tough for you- but it shouldn't be that ridiculous.
If the error is "load calculation cross check error" then it's more like the MAF or N80 valve or something. I have NO idea what they could have done to the torque converter short of outright replacing it- I'm going to guess nothing. Send me a shipping label and I'll send you a Torque converter.

Something about one version of the load error
------> http://www.justanswer.com/audi/1kdl4...a6-4-2-c5.html

You my friend are a superstar!!! I questioned the mechanic about what the trans guys could do to a torque converter as they are a welded up and balanced item... He is under the impression they cut them open replace seals weld them back up and rebalance them....

Haha you may need to elaborate on "shipping label" you guys and your crazy lingo.... It was probably me that triggered the fault then as i pulled the MAF (AFM) out to look where its dropping fluid from and had to fire the car and move it while it was out... I would of thought once fired again with the sensor plugged back in that it would clear the code...

[rollerton]

.. It was probably me that triggered the fault then as i pulled the MAF (AFM) out to look where its dropping fluid from and had to fire the car and move it while it was out... I would of thought once fired again with the sensor plugged back in that it would clear the code...

That could easily cause an engine load error...and it's the type of fault that will STAY logged, but probably have an 'intermittent' tag next to it.
By shipping label I meant it's yours if you want to pay for shipping. Maybe they DID rebuild it? But didn't do a great job? Have no idea, but the symptom sounds alot like TC lockup not working.

[S6XTC]

That could easily cause an engine load error...and it's the type of fault that will STAY logged, but probably have an 'intermittent' tag next to it.
By shipping label I meant it's yours if you want to pay for shipping. Maybe they DID rebuild it? But didn't do a great job? Have no idea, but the symptom sounds alot like TC lockup not working.

I told the mech about the offer of a new (ish) TC (very generous of you, Thanks) and also questioned about the "rebuild" of the existing one... so will be interesting to see what I hear back... I am very keen on your offer Rollerton I'm just not sure how to price the freight... have you guys got a online way of pricing? it would be coming to Christchurch New Zealand post code 7400...

Also found this which is kinda interesting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nk6YqloTNWw

[rollerton]

Nice. I watched that video, I have no idea really how a torque converter works. But now you see why when the average shop says they rebuilt it I'd ..question it.
Freight for this thing would depend on how fast you want to get it I think. I'll guess there are two choices; Affordable and "no hurry" and "ridiculous" and two weeks delivery. But either way you'll be more than $2k ahead of the price they gave you.
US postal service says 24lb box, 3-5 business days, will be something not much over $200 (U.S.).....could be worse?

[S6XTC]

Haha Neither did I but this is quite a cool video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5G2zQ_3xTc
That sounds like a deal my man 3-5 days sounds ideal... let me know an account number to put some funds in for freight and budweiser :D
feel free to some vcds software and a cable in the package too lol impossible to get it here unless I download a cracked version and a "knock off cable" looking at the rosstech site I have no idea which version I need etc...
I truley believe in "Karma" or "Paying it foward" and am one of those type of people that will do anything I can to help someone out... so meeting someone like yourself on a forum I've only been part of for a month is pretty bloody cool...

[S6XTC]

Well I got her back.....again.... and WOW
I have no idea what they ended up doing after I took it back....But she drives like a completely different car now!!!! Funny thing is as they wont tell me their findings or tell me what they did, I have a funny feeling they dropped the trans again and replaced/rebuilt the TC.... So I figure they never did it to start with even though they charged me $650 + tax to do it... Anyway the car has been in my name for 7 weeks now and only been in my garage for 7 days of those weeks, pretty happy camper to have it back home now... Thanks to everyone that contributed to my thread for advice etc...