[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.

 

[P0rsch3]

Don't you have junkyard somewhere where you could just grab a unit from a wrecked macan?

Not sure which specific VW has the same mechatronic unit. Did he specify the model? I know audis are somewhat similar but never heard about VW.

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.

This guy is either a genius or he's full of chit.

 

[VAGfan]

There is no VW model which uses this DL501 transmission. It is used in some Audi models, S4, S5, RS5.

 

[YorkshireDan]

Apologies all, it's from Audi, not VW. He did say that it was the circuit board that is causing the issue, and that when he reads the Macan codes there isn't the sensor for the clutch, even though there is on the Audis with the same unit.

Anyway, I've bit the bullet, Audi mechatronics unit is on it's way, and I'll soon know if this fixes the issue or not!

Again, thank you all for the help and advice, really do appreciate it!

 

[SaulV]

Apologies all, it's from Audi, not VW. He did say that it was the circuit board that is causing the issue, and that when he reads the Macan codes there isn't the sensor for the clutch, even though there is on the Audis with the same unit. Anyway, I've bit the bullet, Audi mechatronics unit is on it's way, and I'll soon know if this fixes the issue or not! Again, thank you all for the help and advice, really do appreciate it!

Let me know the Audi part so I can order it myself. I too I’m having the same issues and would love to get it fixed without having to pay 20k to the dealer

 

[YorkshireDan]

Hello all, little bit of an update!

So after waiting 3 weeks for the new mechatronics to arrive from Europe, the part was fitted, and all seems (fairly) fine.

All faults have gone, the car flicks through the gears much quicker and smoother, and it feels like it has more "get-up-and-go".

However... I'm noticing the car clunks when I come to a stop, going from 2nd to 1st, and then almost seems hesitant to pull away, again clunking and juddering a bit as it goes through 1st and into 2nd.

As this mechatronics is from an audi, I'm not sure if it's an issue with the unit and it not being happy that it isn't a Porsche part. But the mechanic did also mention that the dual mass flywheel is on its way out, and will need replacing in the near future. From what I've heard this isn't an overly expensive part as such, but there's a lot of work to actually get to it, and replace it. He's said that whilst the transmission is out, I might as well look at putting a new clutch in, and gear position sensor.

Car will be going back to the garage and plugged in to see what may be causing it, but I'm interested to know if anyone else has had this issue (regardless of mechatronics being replaced), and what it might be. At this rate, Christmas is cancelled in our household!

 

[VAGfan]

The entire transmission is an Audi part....if you buy any of its parts from a Porsche dealer, it is the same part in a box with a Porsche label, and a higher price.

Concerning the clunking behavior, sounds like they need to run the numerous transmission adaptation/calibration routines with a scan-tool (PIWIS, Autel, X431, iCarSoft.....). These calibration routines need to be run whenever the Mechatronic (or some of its components) are replaced.

Why do they think the DMF needs to be replaced? I don't that has anything to-do with your clunk issue.

 

[VAGfan]

Let me know the Audi part so I can order it myself. I too I’m having the same issues and would love to get it fixed without having to pay 20k to the dealer

Audi B8/B8.5 S4 Quattro 3.0T Drivetrain DSG Transmission - 0B5398009F - Mechatronics Repair Kit 0B5398009F (0B5 398 009 F) (ecstuning.com)

 

[AvidTurboPP]

@YorkshireDan respectfully, I would get a second opinion. Having to replace these units is highly unnecessary unless you're speaking with the dealer. Consult a mechatronic expert with experience working on these Audi units. Most deficiencies can be fixed for $1,500 to $3k with labor. Good luck.

 

[YorkshireDan]

Thanks all, the guy I've taken it to is regarded as the best in the region, even the Porsche specialists take cars to them if its anything gearbox related. I'm booking the car in with the main dealer for the transfer case recall, in the hope that this might help with the clunking from 2-1-2.

The mechanic said that the clutch usually needs replacing around 160k km - which sounds about right to me?...

With the DMF - he mentioned a clicking/clunking noise which could be a sign of the bearings on their way out in the DMF.

He's offered to plug the car back in and see what the computer says, it may be that it just needs to be calibrated properly.

All of this is way way over my head, so apologies if I'm sounding stupid or naive with all of this.

 

[AvidTurboPP]

Sounds like you're in good hands. Hopefully things get sorted out quickly. Keep us posted.

 

[YorkshireDan]

So... A further update to what seems like a never ending saga!... Mechatronics has been replaced as mentioned.

We noticed a slight judder when the car goes from 2nd - 1st, and 1st -2nd, especially at low speed.

Took the car into Porsche, who recon it needs a new transmission [sic] transfer case. I'm hoping this is covered under the extended warranty, but I don't know if this was a world-wide warranty, or region specific? Porsche have said they need to contact the head office in the Middle East to get approval, and then it's a case of if they have the parts, or need to order from Germany.

Seems like it's never ending at the moment!

This thread has shifted more from me looking for advice, to keeping you guys updated. I didn't know anything about the extended warranty for the transmission [sic] transfer case, where Porsche should replace this free of charge, and if you've paid to have this done, they will refund you the money - just in case anyone may be interested. HERE is a link to one of the articles about the warranty for anyone who wants to look.

 

[VAGfan]

Do you mean that Porsche said you need a new TRANSFER case?

 

[YorkshireDan]

Do you mean that Porsche said you need a new TRANSFER case?

Apologies, yes it's the transfer case. They've just called this morning to say Porsche have approved the replacement of the transfer case, and the car will be ready to be collected later today.

Will let you know how we get on!

 

[Teddis]

Good luck !!

 

[YorkshireDan]

New year, new update!

So the car had its transfer case replaced by Porsche under the extended warranty. They didn't pick up on the fact that the mechatronics unit in the car is actually from an Audi, as I was a bit worried this might flag up, and void any warranty with them, but thankfully nothing was said.

One thing I had noticed since the new mechatronics was fitted, is that it is a little clunky shifting from 1st to 2nd when pulling away, and there had been a couple incidents where I'd come to a stop at the lights, still in drive, press the accelerator and the car would just rev, but not actually move.

I did some digging around on the forum, which is a treasure chest of knowledge, and font a post from almost 10 years ago with a similar issue, and it was resolved by updating the PDK software.

So I took the car back to the gear specialist, who plugged it in, made sure it was on the latest software, and since then I've had no issues with it at all, I finally feel like I can start to enjoy the car!

Just wanted to give a huge thanks to everyone who chipped in with suggestions, seems like I got there in the end!