Tiptronic woes

Hello again, you may have seen my thread about my tiptronic gearbox being rebuilt after it failed slipping gears etc its now playing up again its been back to jt transmission but they can't find anything wrong, no fault codes stored or anything, so new symptoms this time... flashing D and no gears showing on dash it drives then sorts it self out and shows the gears, but then it may be in 3rd moving along slowly the decides to drop into first. Or in manual mode coming to a halt it selects 1 itself even if ive put it in 2nd, also struggles with changing up and down sometimes almost missing a gear or pauses for a second then changes any guidance would be great 👍, hopefully I can get it resolved easily and then get shot of it! Thanks in advance Mike T

That sounds to me like an electrical issue and the multi function switch bolted to the side of the box is where i would start . Usual to get a fault code though . Stiff gear linkage is another check .. should be a message on the dash though .. is the linkage easy to move ? Tip control units on these rarely give issues .. only ones i've ever seen have been due to jump staring .. mainly incorrect lead connection ! Multi function switch is my first check .. if a gearbox rebuild though .. bearing in mind a lot of electrics in it then i can't say .. no fault codes at all is a bit strange .. there are codes for every part of this so a bit unusual .

Thank you Demort for the above I'm using a foxwell nt530 porsche mode for the codes I'll try it in the generic obd11 mode later to see if anything shows up there and will report back, just read up how to remove the switch I understand that it's behind the hydraulic lines is there enough movement in them to pull the switch assembly out with out damage? Thanks again Demort for the expert advice

Just to add gear linkage is really smooth, I was just wondering if there was any adjustment in the linkage causing the issue?

I'd get it read for codes using an up-to-date PIWIS or Durametric. The other codes readers are not so good for car specific errors.

Yes but the cable would have needed to have been removed and refitted incorrectly which is a bit hard on a Tip . center console removed to get access to the gear lever linkage .. disconnect .. ( outer spring clip pushed forward then twist to lock ) .. Put the gear lever in park .. push the cable all the way back then refit . I Very much doubt this is incorrect though and it would make no difference hot or cold . Start with a fault code readout and fingers crossed there is a fault code .. The possible items atm are .. Gearbox .. even though it's been checked until something else is found .. Control unit .. Cable issue .. Multifunction switch .. Wiring for the above .. Oil level in the box . Hence a code would point us in a direction .

So quick update cleaned the multi function unit up , replaced and its all good to an extent, an intermittent flashing D and 1 for a few seconds it had a slow change from 2nd to 3rd but apart from that all good but!!! Central locking gone awol!! Ahhhhhhhh Thanks again for all the input everyone especially demort and your expertise... give me a hammer and I can fix almost anything in metal ...cars !!!! Living the dream

So quick update cleaned the multi function unit up , replaced and its all good to an extent, an intermittent flashing D and 1 for a few seconds it had a slow change from 2nd to 3rd but apart from that all good but!!! Central locking gone awol!! Ahhhhhhhh Thanks again for all the input everyone especially demort and your expertise... give me a hammer and I can fix almost anything in metal ...cars !!!! Living the dream

A little confused .. cleaning a multi switch is pretty difficult so did you replace it ? It's the one bolted to the gearbox on the n/s/r . If you have replaced it and things are different then that's one issue .. you still have an occasional limp home mode from your description and that means there is something else at fault .. Fault code readout is required as im guessing at this point .. N2 or N3 can indicate the solenoid pack .. can't remember the name off hand but a code readout tells us a lot so is essential . I need more info on the central locking fault .. it happened after the switch was replaced ? I don't like coincidence .

Thanks again demort, Sorry wasn't to clear on my last post, may have been all the wine id consumed! Cleaned up the plug on the loom to the switching unit and replaced with a new switching unit! So on starting from cold it flashes D and 1 ... 2 flashes, then settles to a solid d1 it seems to drive on the warm up map (I'm saying that as I assumie that's what it is) hanging onto the gear's and higher revs for a minute or two, it then pulls away in 2nd as per usual. The 2 to 3 slow change was on the cold map, hoping to get the codes read this Saturday at a friend's garage. The lock on the passenger side has been playing up for a while central locking activates 3 or 4 times then a double beep from the alarm, slamming the door makes it behave, a replacement lock is on its way, ive had to replace the drivers side 2 months ago so hopefully that'll solve the double beep issue. Thanks again Demort I'll report back when I get the codes..

Ok .. see what codes you have then let me know .. offhand it sounds like a cold issue but not maps .. more gearbox warming up .. the car self tests various items .. its failing on one of these when cold ( i assume a hot start and it's fine ? ) so i'm hoping there is a code . Door lock .. yup .. with you now .

My 1999 996 C2 TipS had similar box problems about 5 years ago and I consulted a couple of different independents and a 'gearbox expert'. The best advice I got was to conact Porsche and ask them to diagnose the issue. I think I paid £90 for an hour but is was the best advice I'd been given. They said the problem was the Tiptronic control unit. They then cleared and reset the faults and it then ran for about 18 months without a problem. Then when it happened again, I paid Porsche to replace the unit (£485) and my car has driven perfectly for the last couple of years. Lesson learned - don't discount the official centres - they come up trump on occasion.

Hi guys just an update, as I've been really busy recently, Tiptronic gear box appeared low on fluid 1.5 litres added no fault codes stored...all good but!!! Just did a 500 mile round trip the car was faultless apart from a slight loss of power and jerking on the motor way. So today, flashing d and 4 again so fault codes this time there's loads! Gearbox 35 and 149 refer to manual I can't find any reference to these DME p1128 p1130 and p0102 ABS 5529 and 5525 If anyone could point me in the right direction I'd be really greatful, as I really want to get rid of the car now, just one long unreliable headache!!! Aahhhhhh! Cheers Mike

The tiptronic codes don't show on my list im afraid .. the dme ones refer to lambda sensor faults and interestingly the maf sensor . Maf sensor provides the loading info for the tip .. it needs this info . providing you have a fault code reader that can delete dme fault codes then unplug the maf sensor , engine off .. it will run like crap at first .. and give it a drive .. , if no tick over which can happen then dont bother continuing .. if not see if you have similar issues with the tip going into limp home mode . Its an outside chance it's a maf sensor issue .. my feeling though is its tip related and you are pretty much into getting a garage to have a look i'm afraid . As per .. steve535 comment .. a garage really needs to have a look .

Thanks as always for your professional input Demort, I'll get it to a garage when I've got more time, cheers