Svegg

I got a problem with the tiptronic transmission on my year 2000 A8, 45 000 km.

Description:

1.
Every time when the lock-up coupling "locks up", it is doing it very tough and uncomfortably. I have to release the pressure on the throttle pedal to avoid a jerk. When shifting from 3rd to 4th, the rpm also increases slightly compared to the 3rd before it locks up into the 4th gear with a jerk. The same happens from 4th to 5th.
All applies also when using manual shifting.

2.
Driving downhill with no pressure on the throttle pedal, i.e. say the rpm is 2000, the rpm drops every 5 seconds by approx 150 rpm, before it returns to 2000.

3.
With brakes on, and with full trottle, the rpm is higher than recommended. There is also a special sound during this test. I guess this because of one of the clutches is slipping? Could the slipping clutch also cause the jerk when the TC locks-up?

How is the clutches in the automatic transmission working, and how can I solve the problem?

I have been discussing this with the car workshop, but they are not much experience with transmissions, so it is like talking to my dog.

I have also checked with the VAG-COM tool and there are no error codes. The transmission is not slipping during normal driving. There is no noise from the transmission. The shifting up to it locks up seems normal, but maybe a litle to high rpm. Battery is strong.

Could this problem be caused by bad/wrong oil quality in the transmission? Or could this be caused because a solenoid valve is stuck (open or partly open)? Or could the lock-up coupling be worn out? Or??

I got a "relaxed" driving style.

If anyone got experience on this problem, or know how to troubleshooting to find the cause, please give some input to me.

Best regards,
Svein Eggesbo
Norway

PaulW

There has been numerous reports of the transmission "falling in and out of lock out" during coasting. I have the vag software, but haven't got my serial port to work on my new computer. Last time I checked my car, it didn't have any fault codes, but there is one other check, which is also under transmission on the software, it's a check of the relays. You do it with the car off and you can hear the relays clicking as it cycles through them.

I'm thinking it's a relay (or solenoid) that has gone South.....

Please post your testing results, good luck!

If you need to check the transmission oil level, go to the Yahoo group below, you'll find a procedure.

pw

Dommi3

Svein,

I have a 97 A8 and no Tip, unfortunately. However, everything you've described also happens with my cars transmission. I think the problems are exaggerated in hilly or mountainous driving conditions. I don't seem to notice the same symptoms in flat surface driving. Unfortunately, where we both live, are not the flattest places on earth. I live near San Francisco and I am hardly ever in a situation where I'm driving on flat level ground. 99% of my driving is either going up an incline or downhill. I'm assuming where you live in Norway, you may have similar driving conditions in regard to uphill and downhill driving. Needless to say, I'm not referring to winter driving conditions. I'm sure in winter Norway and California have very different driving conditions. LOL I've been to Norway many times and loved it by the way. You are very lucky to live in such a wonderful part of the world. I want to have a place in Trondheim someday. Regardless, please let me know if you find it to be much less of an issue on flat ground, I'm just curious?

Maybe we can figure this out together.

Dommi3/Tiburon, California
1997 Audi A8 4.2 Quattro
Silver/Gray 17" Audi A8 Wheels
All Available Options
--------------------------------------------------
Previous Audi

1990 V8 Quattro

Svegg

Dommi3,
Thanks for the reply. I notice the "jerk" mainly during shifting when acceleration either it,s on flat ground or going up an incline. Driving in a steady speed in an incline there is no problem, unless the tranny downshifts, then with the "jerk".
Driving steady of flat ground (flat ground in Norway is not 100% flat), the "jerk" is comming up every time the lock-up coupling locks up. This I have logged with the VAG-COM software. However I'm not familiar on how the tranny operates, but I munt find the cause of the problem. I will now try a relay/solenoid check.

Svegg

I did the VAG-COM transmission output test. On the 5 first tests (N88-N89-N90-N110-N215)I heard the clicking sound, but on the 4 last tests (N216-N217-N218 and TRANSMISSION SOLENOID POWER RELAY)I could not hear any clicking. If there is a failure in these valves, shouldn't it appear with a fault code?

Dommi3

One thing I forgot to mention is what I've done do get rid of a great deal of the jerking in my transmission, increase performance, and it's quite a simple solution. When driving around town, I simply get the most consistent transmission performance and smoothness by leaving the trans in 3rd gear any time I'm in a situation of stop and go with speeds not exceeding approximately 80KM. I will only use the main drive gear only when I am traveling at consistent speeds of usually more than 105KM. I will drop to 4th when I'm going up obvious inclines, no matter fast I may be traveling. I also use 4th gear when I'm accelerating onto the freeways. For some people, my system may be a pain in the ***, but I really prefer the performance of my transmission when gearing the car the way I have described above. My transmission fluid has not leaked ever and is filled to capacity, so, I've ruled that out as being the problem. I used my car while working in the Chicago area for a couple of months. Chicago is an extremely flat area. Interestingly enough, I noticed no transmission issues at all during that entire two months I was there no matter what gear I was in. That's why I think the transmission responds differently on flat surfaces versus inclines and declined surfaces. This way of using your transmission will definitely have an adverse effect on fuel economy.

Keep me posted.

Dommi3/Tiburon California
1997 A8 4.2 Quattro
Silver/Gray 17" Audi A8 Weels
All Available Options
----------------------------
Previous Audi

1990 V8 Quattro

Svegg

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36706/pa130016-min.jpg"></center><p>Have you ever changed the transmission oil, if so did you notice any difference?

Dommi3

No, I have not but I will do that in my next service to see if I notice any changes. I did talk to my mechanic about it and he knows how long my transmission fluid has been in there and he didn't seem think I'd notice any difference.

Dommi3/Tiburon California
1997 A8 4.2 Quattro
Silver/Gray 17" Audi A8 Weels
All Available Options
----------------------------
Previous Audi

1990 V8 Quattro

Svegg

With brakes on, and with full trottle, the rpm is higher than recommended. There is also a special sound during this test. I guess this because of one of the clutches is slipping? Could the slipping clutch also cause the jerk when the TC locks-up? How is the clutches in the automatic transmission working, and how can I solve the problem?
Can this i.e. be caused by bad/wrong transmission oil? Or can there be a solenoid valve stuck (always open or partly open)?
There are no error codes on the VAG-COM software.

Regards,
Svein Frode Eggesbo
Norway

2000 Audi A8 Tiptronic Quattro<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/10559.phtml">https://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/10559.phtml</a</li></ul>