Tiptronic Issues/Concerns

[SN95Audi87]

Hey Guys!

I need some peace of mind because my transmission scared the crap out of me yesterday on RT.22 NJ. A little back story to help understand the issue. Last year I was in minor fender bender, I bought all oem parts including new pressure lines because the old ones were corroded. My friend put them in and brought the car too his trusted mechanic to replace fluid that was lost when lines were replaced. They ruptured my tail shaft seal so it was leaking at one point and stopped. Since it stopped I didn't think nothing of it.

Fast forward to now, as some of you know I got my 034 HFC and Milltek sport resonated exhaust put on, excellent mods by way. I really picked up some midrange and top end. Anyways, I was pulling out of chic-fila and since route 22 is dangerous I tried to go WOT and the car accelerated sluggishly. It was still moving fast enough but what really concerned me was the loud bang it made from 2nd to 3rd. It felt like someone punched underneath the floorboard where the trans and motor meet. It's hard to explain almost like torque converter wasn't engaged. I don't know if anyone else had a similar issue but it scared the crap out of me.

I made it to gym, had a great workout but it was racking my brain all night and this morning. Do you think that since im making more power that the transmission didn't know what to do. I also cleared a code for SAI system in morning so I don't know if the car was relearning my driving habits. IDK? I have more questions then answers I suppose.

Nate

Note: Tiptronic has 170k, never had a issue with it at all till now. It had rough 3rd to 2nd but after the fluid change it went away.


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[SN95Audi87]

Anyone? I guess everyone is here 5spd equipped lol.

[down_n_dapper]

might be a stupid question but must be asked, when the "trusted mechanic" replaced the fluid and ruptured the tailshaft seal, was the fluid level maintained? Sounds to me like its running low on ATF causing the torque converter not to fully engage. Being an auto tranny from an audi, it could be a number of things really, this is why I converted to 5 speed lol

[nemick]

When you had this scare, were you in full auto or using tip controls?

[SN95Audi87]

might be a stupid question but must be asked, when the "trusted mechanic" replaced the fluid and ruptured the tailshaft seal, was the fluid level maintained? Sounds to me like its running low on ATF causing the torque converter not to fully engage. Being an auto tranny from an audi, it could be a number of things really, this is why I converted to 5 speed lol

They overfilled the transmission with new OEM Audi fluid which then ruptured the tail seal, but it wasn't pouring just a little damp near tail shaft of the trans.

When you had this scare, were you in full auto or using tip controls?

Yes, I was in full auto. Felt like the car was accelerating but kind of sluggishly. I do not know if it was because I reset the CEL and it was relearning my habits but it hasn't done it since. It shifted from 1st to 2nd, then from 2nd to 3rd. It was huge bang so I think it was the torque converter not fully engaged. Almost similar to when you reverse out of your driveway and put it in drive to fast without the car locking in gear then hitting the gas to aggressively at the same time. You get a nice thud underneath the floor board. This has happened in another vehicle I own every once in a blue moon.

[ben2401]

this is going to sound weird but I had the exact same same issue when I had a failing MAF on a tip 1.8t. Went KABOOM into 3rd. Happened only when cold. Didn't happen when failing MAF left unplugged. Replaced MAF and hasn't happened ever again. I think the tranny computer uses MAF data to adjust throttle while shifting to shift smoothly. Log max g/s at WOT in VCDS to see if it is failing.

[SN95Audi87]

this is going to sound weird but I had the exact same same issue when I had a failing MAF on a tip 1.8t. Went KABOOM into 3rd. Happened only when cold. Didn't happen when failing MAF left unplugged. Replaced MAF and hasn't happened ever again. I think the tranny computer uses MAF data to adjust throttle while shifting to shift smoothly. Log max g/s at WOT in VCDS to see if it is failing.

That's interesting. I actually replaced the MAF two years ago with OEM unit. I do not have VCDS, where can I get one?

[slipknot23]

http://www.ross-tech.com/ best thing you can buy for your audi

[SN95Audi87]

http://www.ross-tech.com/ best thing you can buy for your audi

How do you like the software? It's quite expensive.


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[down_n_dapper]

Most useful tool you'll ever purchase for these cars. Being able to pinpoint exactly what's wrong is a lifesaver instead of guessing and replacing things that appear worn

Worth the investment for ant future vag cars too

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[walky_talky20]

If you just want to log the MAF (for now), you can get the free VCDS-Lite and a $10 VAG KKL cable on ebay. Free version has some limits but will log MAF no problem. The TCU does use MAF readings heavily to figure out engine load, hill grade, etc - in order to make important decisions like which gear to choose, what line pressure to use, firmness of shifts, etc.

Now the story about overfill of ATF making the rear output shaft seal leak...that's impossible. The rear output shaft seal will leak Gear Oil, not ATF. They are separate chambers.

The event you describe on RT 22, exiting the Chick-Fil-A (thanks for all the details BTW. I feel like I'm there) was probably the rear differential hitting the floor. This is not really uncommon. That front mount is pretty squishy. It was likely caused by a particularly hard shift. If it were mine, I wouldn't freak out right yet. Give it one mulligan before you worry about it. If the car is chipped, the TCU is dealing with higher amounts of torque than it was ever programmed to. Usually they do ok, but given these demands, I think it's allowed to mess up once in a while and do a hard shift. It could also have been a little bit of grit sticking a solenoid in the valve body or something.

In any case, I wouldn't worry about unless it continues to do weird things. I would, however, recommend that you take care of any active leaks and make sure the fluid level is correct in all fluid chambers. There are 3 fluid chambers on your 01V Tiptronic quattro transmission: Front Differential (gear oil), Auto Trans bits (ATF), and Center Torsen Differential (gear oil). Your transmission is equipped with 3 separate fill plugs and 2 drain plugs (the front diff has no drain, but is meant to be emptied by vacuum pump through the fill hole - ridiculous, I know).

[SN95Audi87]

If you just want to log the MAF (for now), you can get the free VCDS-Lite and a $10 VAG KKL cable on ebay. Free version has some limits but will log MAF no problem. The TCU does use MAF readings heavily to figure out engine load, hill grade, etc - in order to make important decisions like which gear to choose, what line pressure to use, firmness of shifts, etc.

Now the story about overfill of ATF making the rear output shaft seal leak...that's impossible. The rear output shaft seal will leak Gear Oil, not ATF. They are separate chambers.

The event you describe on RT 22, exiting the Chick-Fil-A (thanks for all the details BTW. I feel like I'm there) was probably the rear differential hitting the floor. This is not really uncommon. That front mount is pretty squishy. It was likely caused by a particularly hard shift. If it were mine, I wouldn't freak out right yet. Give it one mulligan before you worry about it. If the car is chipped, the TCU is dealing with higher amounts of torque than it was ever programmed to. Usually they do ok, but given these demands, I think it's allowed to mess up once in a while and do a hard shift. It could also have been a little bit of grit sticking a solenoid in the valve body or something.

In any case, I wouldn't worry about unless it continues to do weird things. I would, however, recommend that you take care of any active leaks and make sure the fluid level is correct in all fluid chambers. There are 3 fluid chambers on your 01V Tiptronic quattro transmission: Front Differential (gear oil), Auto Trans bits (ATF), and Center Torsen Differential (gear oil). Your transmission is equipped with 3 separate fill plugs and 2 drain plugs (the front diff has no drain, but is meant to be emptied by vacuum pump through the fill hole - ridiculous, I know).

Thanks for clearing that up Walky. I am doing a lot of maintenance to this car since I am getting married and going to be on my on. I want the car to be up-to-date on all maintenance items because its going to be my only car at my apartment for now until I get a house in a year or two. Overall, the car hasn't done it since so I am leaning towards your statement.