[Masscan]

While I hope you get this issue sorted ASAP and at a reasonable price, stories like these just give further verification why one should never own a German vehicle out of warranty.

😨

 

[yrralis1]

While I hope you get this issue sorted ASAP and at a reasonable price, stories like these just give further verification why one should never own a German vehicle out of warranty.

😨

I think a lot depends on which generation, the model, and potential known issues. Now granted the newer cars do have more technology which complicates long term use but even stilll the cars are reliable .

I would not feel comfortable owning a first generation Macan 10 years. I wouldn’t feel comfortable owning a 996 either. However I would feel comfortable owning a 996 turbo. So One can split hairs .

I would feel comfortable owning a second generation Macan. I don’t know if I’d want to keep it 10 years but I think a person could squeak out two more years which is where a CPO would carry it beyond the factory warranty. That would make it six years to say I think it would be safe.

 

[AvidTurboPP]

A 20k mi 2015 Turbo I was going to buy threw a code and could only go into reverse. Dealer quoted $20k for a box replacement. Their position is that these boxes can't be opened and you need to replace them when something goes wrong. The owner took it to a mechatronics specialist who fixed it for $1,500. It was just the solenoids IIRC. I didn't buy it because a better option presented itself but I otherwise wouldn't have had an issue with it. These boxes are solid but mechatronics don't like heat and if you drive them in econo mode in stop-and-go traffic, the oil will deteriorate prematurely and put the box at risk.

Never ever take it to the dealer.

 

[AvidTurboPP]

Also, note that while Porsche loves to claim that the PDK in the Macan is a Porsche box, it's not. Macan's PDK is built by Audi at the Kassel plant and licensed/modified/rebranded by Porsche. To what extent still remains a mystery but it seems to be mostly software tweaks. It is not built by ZF like the PDK in 911s.

In other words, the PDK in the Macan has been around for a decade and it's very reliable. There are also enough indie specialists who can fix them.

 

[YorkshireDan]

A 20k mi 2015 Turbo I was going to buy threw a code and could only go into reverse. Dealer quoted $20k for a box replacement. Their position is that these boxes can't be opened and you need to replace them when something goes wrong. The owner took it to a mechatronics specialist who fixed it for $1,500. It was just the solenoids IIRC. I didn't buy it because a better option presented itself but I otherwise wouldn't have had an issue with it. These boxes are solid but mechatronics don't like heat and if you drive them in econo mode in stop-and-go traffic, the oil will deteriorate prematurely and put the box at risk.

Never ever take it to the dealer.

Thanks for this, I'm hoping a specialist can get it sorted without me having to replace the entire thing. If they're not a fan of the heat, I guess that doesn't bode well for me! I'm in Dubai and the summers here can hit the 50s!

 

[AvidTurboPP]

More than likely you will be able to fix it. Once fixed, just drive it in manual or sport and change the oil before the suggested interval. You’ll be fine. In eco mode these transmissions shift gears a lot. Manual or sport reduces shifting and that reduces heat.

 

[Frank Chan]

I would not drive it before fixing the issue. When the unit is running too hot, the clutch plates will get damaged and that repair will get more expensive because the whole tranny will have to be removed to access the clutch pack etc.

 

[P0rsch3]

What are the physical symptoms? Did error come back on restart?

 

[YorkshireDan]

What are the physical symptoms? Did error come back on restart?

An error comes up on the dash every time the engine starts, something along the lines of:

"Engine control fault, consult a workshop, driving permitted"

There is a slight judder when pulling away from a stand still, but only a very slight one, maybe 2-3 quick, soft judders.

I've had it read by two different garages, who have both reset the code, but after around 50km of driving it comes back again on every start-up.

Going to speak with a gearbox specialist tomorrow, and see if anything can be done.

 

[AvidTurboPP]

An error comes up on the dash every time the engine starts, something along the lines of:

"Engine control fault, consult a workshop, driving permitted"

I’ve had that error code from bad gas. Seems like you need a proper diagnosis.

 

[P0rsch3]

"Engine control fault, consult a workshop, driving permitted"

Are you sure it's not POSSIBLE NO R GEAR? Do you have all gears? 1-7/R?

 

[YorkshireDan]

Are you sure it's not POSSIBLE NO R GEAR? Do you have all gears? 1-7/R?

That fault also appears, but Engine Control Fault is the prominent one - no issues with selecting gears

 

[P0rsch3]

That fault also appears, but Engine Control Fault is the prominent one - no issues with selecting gears

I don't thinks it's a mechatronic if you don't have transmission symptoms. I'd take it to Porsche to diagnose.

 

[YorkshireDan]

Ok so an update on all of this, it's the control unit on the mechatronics which has given up. I've been told that I can't purchase this control unit, as it's not sold separately, so my two options are:

1. new mechatronics unit
2. try find a used control unit from another Macan.

I feel happier going down the first route, but the problem I'm facing is that nowhere in Dubai can get hold of a new unit, I've been given lead times of 12 weeks for the part to even become available.

Any advice on how I might be able to get a genuine unit quicker? Will Porsche talk to me? Or would they expect to supply and fit in-house (at a much higher cost)... My wife is actually German, and travels back to Germany with work quite a lot, would she stand a better chance getting one there? If so, can anyone recommend where I start looking?

Thanks all

 

[P0rsch3]

Any advice on how I might be able to get a genuine unit quicker? Will Porsche talk to me? Or would they expect to supply and fit in-house (at a much higher cost)... My wife is actually German, and travels back to Germany with work quite a lot, would she stand a better chance getting one there? If so, can anyone recommend where I start looking?

How about ebay? Or the thread right around the corner where someone is parting his macan?

 

[Caseymacan]

Ok so an update on all of this, it's the control unit on the mechatronics which has given up. I've been told that I can't purchase this control unit, as it's not sold separately, so my two options are:

1. new mechatronics unit
2. try find a used control unit from another Macan.

I feel happier going down the first route, but the problem I'm facing is that nowhere in Dubai can get hold of a new unit, I've been given lead times of 12 weeks for the part to even become available.

Any advice on how I might be able to get a genuine unit quicker? Will Porsche talk to me? Or would they expect to supply and fit in-house (at a much higher cost)... My wife is actually German, and travels back to Germany with work quite a lot, would she stand a better chance getting one there? If so, can anyone recommend where I start looking?

Thanks all

Have you tried design911.com. I buy Porsche parts from them. Good luck

 

[Caseymacan]

Have you tried design911.com. I buy Porsche parts from them. Good luck

 

[YorkshireDan]

Thanks all, so after a bit of back and forth with the garage I'm dealing with here, he's said that there is another solution...

He's said that he can source a mechatronics unit from VW, as it's the same spec as the Macan uses, just different software. He's told me he can fit it to my car, clone my current software, and put it onto the new mechatronics unit from VW.

I guess I have a couple questions on this (apologies, my technical knowledge of this area isn't great):

1. Can this work? Is there a possibility of any issues down the line, or could this stop me from taking out an extended warranty with Porsche at a later date?

2. Is this actually the same unit? The mechanic sent me the quote from his contact in Europe for the mechatronics part, and I can see that he's tried to order one for my Macan, a GTS, and also a Macan S - the quote is in Dutch, but I can see that the item number for both cars is the same, but then the GTS has: DCNA-A5B02, and the S has: CTMA-A5B02.

So my options here are either I fit a VW mechatronics unit, and have my car on the road in 10 days. Or I wait for a unit direct from Porsche, and wait 12+ weeks.

What would you do?..

 

[///Bruce]

Thanks for this, the garage that I took it to has recommended a gearbox specialist, and said he can probably pull it apart and recondition it, and that it could just be the solenoids that need replacing. So I'm hoping if I go down this route I'm not going to have to fork out for a new mechatronic unit.

Am I ok driving the car until I get it looked at, or is this something which is going to get worse / do more damage the longer it's left?

Probably? Unless you’re planning on doing it yourself I’d strongly suggest a specialist. Just my opinion.

 

[VAGfan]

In my extensive research on DL501 repairs, your DTC trouble codes point to the need to replace the vertical PCB2 "Circuit Board", which contains the clutch temperature sensor. These "circuit" boards are a common failure, the internal connections open, or become intermittent, and then the TCU computer can't "see" the clutch temperature (because the sensor is not connected), causing it to trigger these DTCs. There is another board ("PCB1"), for connections between the solenoid valves and the TCU, and this board often fails the same way. Both boards can be easily replaced (a few screws and they unplug), after the entire Mechatronics unit is dropped out of the bottom of the transmission, after the pan is removed. I would try this first, much cheaper than replacing (and reprogramming) the entire Mechatronics unit.
Audi B8/B8.5 S4 Quattro 3.0T Drivetrain DSG Transmission - 0B5398009F - Mechatronics Repair Kit 0B5398009F (0B5 398 009 F) (ecstuning.com)

These board repair kits are available from lots of different vendors, don't know if the cheaper ones are any different.

See "PCB1" and PCB2" in the below pic of the Mechatronics unit. There are YouTube videos of this type of repair.