@Cap1, you have to appreciate that this is a very discerning forum. Was the chirp like a common House Sparrow? Or more like a Red Breasted Nuthatch?

 

Lol annoying House Sparrow

 

2018 Macan S, 8000 miles. Hesitation on low speed acceleration, getting worse. Explained to dealer by phone. Scheduled me in next week after insuring a "new" transfer case is in stock for my appointment. I have the replacement PN to check. Any additional suggestions for my visit?

 

What month was your car built?

 

Spend time with your SA. Get to know him if you don’t already. Follow up with your SA by email. Mine responds the same day if I ping him. And if any changes come up, mine pings me. Thursday he emailed me saying they found a broken alternator bracket piece and there would be a delay till Monday or Tuesday. I didn’t have to call and find out.

 

Is there a comprehensive guide to the various symptoms at this point? When I was buying my Macan I was told to listen for specific issues when going in tight circles but it seems that the symptom list has expanded since then, but I can't go through 460 posts looking for a comprehensive guide. It would be good if the first post could link to a wiki or something so there is a single place to look on the current state.

 

OK

So, you've volunteered to do that? Thank you!


You may have to do a bit of legwork. You know, searching various threads. Possibly searching the internet? Surely someone
has written something about it.

How about taking it to your Porsche dealer or local Porsche independent?

It's pretty tough to diagnose things over the internet in text format...


Good luck!

 

Just adding to the intel body of knowledge.

I have a 2018 Macan S. Built in the fall of 2017. I just took it in for an oil change at 34,000 miles a week ago.

I had noticed a slight hesitation from stop but nothing too significant. Because of the known issue, I asked them to check the transfer case while they had it. And, it was bad. Fixed at no cost.

 

How long was your car out of service, being fixed?

 

Due to snow interrupting shipments, it took them a few days to get the part. But once they had the part, it took one day.

 

How significant is the hesitation - can it be confused with turbo lag?
I have a Sept. 2018 build - seem to just have turbo lag in comfort mode. had the car for about 6 months ago with around 9k miles and now just over 10k.

 

For me, it couldn’t be mistaken for turbo lag. The hesitation was from a dead stop to forward movement. Just a tenth to half a second before the car seemed to engage. Almost like the lag you would feel from placing it into Drive from Neutral.

 

Well, it started off very slowly and didn't pay much attention until today, looks like i'm a victim of a transfer case issue...now i have a question ..I just purchased this car about a month ago from porsche dealer..it is cpo...before taking possession of the car, i had read about transfer case recalls...I had mentioned it to my sales rep, as i wanted to have them take care of it if needed...he responded that in order for a car to be cpo'd, it would have to have all things corrected....so are they at fault for not correcting the issue in order to get the cpo certification, if in fact it is a transfer case issue..will be taking to dealer tomorrow...this is not the dealer from which i purchased the car...I did purchase out of state...and i will say it was a very good experience...but ****, in looking back since i started to drive the car, there were little signs that started pretty much immediately....

 

Well, it started off very slowly and didn't pay much attention until today, looks like i'm a victim of a transfer case issue...now i have a question ..I just purchased this car about a month ago from porsche dealer..it is cpo...before taking possession of the car, i had read about transfer case recalls...I had mentioned it to my sales rep, as i wanted to have them take care of it if needed...he responded that in order for a car to be cpo'd, it would have to have all things corrected....so are they at fault for not correcting the issue in order to get the cpo certification, if in fact it is a transfer case issue..will be taking to dealer tomorrow...this is not the dealer from which i purchased the car...I did purchase out of state...and i will say it was a very good experience...but ****, in looking back since i started to drive the car, there were little signs that started pretty much immediately....

Same happened to me. That's why you got CPO - to figure out the issues which dealers decided not to disclose. I would also suggest to jump down under the car and see if there are any leaks - maybe you need TCC leak fix as well.

 

Yeah, i know it wont be a big deal and things will get resolved...thank you for the responses

 

Anyone else have their replacement case go right back out? Mine was replaced in August, put maybe 3K miles on it. Hopped in yesterday and while I was backing up and turning out of the garage I had a lovely grinding noise, and my steering is tight like the TC is bound up again... Warranty expires Saturday (although TC extended to next fall), I love the Macan, but its feeling inevitable that I will throw in the towel sooner than later.

 

Wonderful! You are the first I have heard of that this has occurred to. I hate to be the harbinger of more bad news, but maybe what you have here might be worse. Look under your car tomorrow to see if the PDF fell out on the ground (kidding). How tight is that turn?

 

Just got the car back...tc fixed...also had to get the blind spot module replaced as it went it out....same thing happened on my previous s.....

 

Second Transfer Case

I had my transfer case replaced on August 2019. Last week I noticed the car had the same jerkiness that I was experiencing when the transfer case was replaced. This morning I took my Macan to the dealer and mentioned to my SA. He shared with me that he had other Macans replacing transfer case more than once. He asked his senior technician to take my car for a ride and within 2 minutes (he probably only drove in the parking lot) he came back and said the transfer case was bad. I already have an appointment with a loaner for mid next week to get it replaced again. I asked him how many times I should expect to that to happen and he said since there is a recall I should not worry and it will be replaced as many times as needed. He said that in the Northern states where there is more moisture that is pretty common to happen. Anyway, I will get a new transfer case again next week. Car has 52k miles.

 

Second Transfer Case

I had my transfer case replaced on August 2019. Last week I noticed the car had the same jerkiness that I was experiencing when the transfer case was replaced. This morning I took my Macan to the dealer and mentioned to my SA. He shared with me that he had other Macans replacing transfer case more than once. He asked his senior technician to take my car for a ride and within 2 minutes (he probably only drove in the parking lot) he came back and said the transfer case was bad. I already have an appointment with a loaner for mid next week to get it replaced again. I asked him how many times I should expect to that to happen and he said since there is a recall I should not worry and it will be replaced as many times as needed. He said that in the Northern states where there is more moisture that is pretty common to happen. Anyway, I will get a new transfer case again next week. Car has 52k miles.

I wasn't going to "Like" your problem post, but thanks for the report.

 

Maybe time to start vent mods....to stop the moisture, see @ttmacan mod.

 

Well, as long as Porsche keeps replacing it under the recall I am OK.

 

Add me to the list:
2017 Macan GTS
55202 KM / 34300 miles

Please be aware: Mechanic tried to disallow my warranty claim because of wheel spacers on the car. He showed me a Porsche bulletin which stated spacers qualified as a drivetrain modification and therefore no warranty. Yeah I know, ridiculous!

Fortunately the Service Manager was listening and approved the warranty claim without a battle. So to be safe, consider taking your spacers off if you are going in for a diagnosis.

Crazy thing is this dealer has a tuner department that installs springs, shocks, exhaust, downpipes, bigger wheels/tires and ....... spacers

 

Add me to the list:
2017 Macan GTS
55202 KM / 34300 miles

Please be aware: Mechanic tried to disallow my warranty claim because of wheel spacers on the car. He showed me a Porsche bulletin which stated spacers qualified as a drivetrain modification and therefore no warranty. Yeah I know, ridiculous!

Fortunately the Service Manager was listening and approved the warranty claim without a battle. So to be safe, consider taking your spacers off if you are going in for a diagnosis.

Crazy thing is this dealer has a tuner department that installs springs, shocks, exhaust, downpipes, bigger wheels/tires and ....... spacers

Good tip. Thanks.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Hi guys, appreciate all your input. I have definitely noticed my '15 Turbo have problem "sometimes" when I'm backing out the garage door into driveway, and then when I go from R to D there is a big lurch....like it's searching for gear...no real noise other than a clunky feel......but it only does it sometime......maybe depending on how far I've turned steering wheel? But I have noticed in sport plus when I'm coasting, the downshift is very revvy and shudders....

Appreciate your thoughts, but I brought this to my dealer last year, and they said TC is fine......however, my CPO expiring next month and after re-reading your posts, I think I will spell it out for them this time.

Thanks again for any thoughts you may have.

 

"sometimes" when I'm backing out the garage door into driveway, and then when I go from R to D there is a big lurch....like it's searching for gear...no real noise other than a clunky feel......but it only does it sometime......maybe depending on how far I've turned steering wheel?

Mine does the same thing. I reverse, complete stop, quick shift to D, depress accelerator modestly ..... the engine revs, but nothing happens for ~1 second then seems to grab and move forward. Like you no noise. It's bit of a shock when it happens. I mentioned this to the Service Advisor when I brought it in for the transfer case evaluation, but he suggested it might be transmission fluid related. I've read that when the fluid is low or old, the transmission feels like it is slipping. Fluid level was fine. When the transfer case is replaced in 3 weeks, I will ask to have the transmission fluid and filter replaced at that time.

I'll let you know if any of these changes improves things.

But I have noticed in sport plus when I'm coasting, the downshift is very revvy and shudders....

Mine does the same thing. Lately the S+ seems to rev at even higher revs than previously, even when I'm just coasting down to a stop.

I was able to speak to both the mechanic and service advisor at length:
0) Normal: No shudder when in normal or lowered height when turning hard right/left or any height when driving straight under light acceleration
1) Normal: Small shudder while in off-road mode with the steering wheel turned hard left/right. It would feel/sound like gently tapping your knuckle on a hard surface in .5 second intervals <-- when the Macan is in off-road mode, more power is transmitted to the front wheels
2) NOT Normal: Big shudder while in off-road mode with the steering wheel turned hard left/right It would feel like someone is pushing you firmly in the small of your back in .25-.5 second intervals
3) NOT Normal: Shudder/vibration/slippage while gently accelerating straight or again at ~50-60 km/hrs in any height mode <--it may be barely perceivable.
4) The low speed straight line shudder is mostly felt in the steering wheel. It's like driving on a pebbled surface or road cracks.
5) The hard right/left turn shudder is felt like it's coming from below your seat affecting the whole car.

The diagnostic steps were:
1) Transmission reset
2) Road test (normal and offroad mode)
3) Visual inspection on the hoist
4) Checked for related SY / TI <-- I don't know what this means
5) Disconnected transfer case electrical connectors and re-road tested <-- all shuddering stopped

After the evaluation, the shuddering seemed to be twice as bad.

 

@FAST, thanks for describing all symptoms in detail. One reads about all the Transfer Case issues, and thinking how the heck do I know if mine is bad? Your post is really good at clarifying this question.

 

Thanks for the kind words. I slightly reworded the original post to make it a little clearer.

Dealer also told me:
1) They average 5 replacements per week and did 9 transfer case replacements last week. They typically keep 5-6 in stock. It's a common problem.
2) Older Cayennes and Macans (2014 and older) tend to have greater probability of failure and sooner (30K-40K km) and are often replaced 2+ times in the first 5 years
3) Symptoms can be mild for a while and very suddenly get worse. Mechanic thinks often-use of off-road mode accelerates the problem.
4) Mechanic says the problem rarely results in the car becoming undriveable, just various degrees of degraded.
5) Older SUVs (Cayenne 2011-14) have a 10 year extended warranty (from date of manufacturer), newer SUVs (Cayenne 15-18 and Macan 14-18) is 7 year. However they believe the 7 year is now also 10 (I couldn't verify that via Google)
6) Problem is believed to be solved starting with the 2019 model.
7) The problem is fixed by modding returned transfer cases (in China I believe?). Transfer case is fully rebuilt and modded, send back to Porsche who (apparently) thoroughly tests it.
8) I was told the cost of the part retail is $4500 and the labour another $1600 dollars. ~$6K CDN and ~$4K US. Internally, they get paid ~$900 labour.
9) Evaluation charge is $200 CDN. If no problem found, you pay $200, otherwise it's covered under the recall
10) Take your wheel spacers off. I'm guessing that oversized rims and tires may also create hassles

 

Fantastic. These two posts from @FAST should be pinned to the top of this thread. And I hope you are right, about the 7 years being extended to 10. My 7 years are due this November.

 

So, second transfer case was replaced 3 weeks ago. Car started jerking again and it is worse than before replacing the transfer case. Even my kids mentioned that it feels like the car has hiccups. It is most prominent when car shifts from 1st to 2nd and 3rd gears. Spoke with my SA and he wants the car for a day so they can do some deeper search. He said it would be a record for a transfer case to go bad but it can be possible. Any other things that could be causing the car to jerk/hiccup in low speeds and low gears?

 

...... Any other things that could be causing the car to jerk/hiccup in low speeds and low gears?

Is the jerking amplified when in off-road mode and slowly turning hard left or right? Or just when turning hard left/right if you don't have AS? If yes, sounds like a defective replacement Transfer case. It's possible they didn't follow the exact procedure for set-up of the case. I understand there is a sequence of unplugging/plugging/resetting that has to be followed and they may also choose to reset the transmission.

If no, perhaps:
1. Transmission fluid fully topped up?
2. Transmission fluid due for a change
3. Drive shafts not properly torqued to the transfer case and you are getting a little slap on the connectors?
^^-- Educated guesses.

Please let us know the root cause when you find out.

 

mechatronic valve body?

What are the symptoms for the MVB?


Where's @Her95B?

 

Deleted post

 

Hi All: I bought a 2017 Macan S last year. Has 23.000 miles on it. Just had routine maintenance for $950 at dealer! Yikes! I received a notice from Porsce that the transfer case warranty was extended for 7years. Great. But the mechanic said I don't have a transfer case. i have a center diff.!? Which is it and do I need to change the fluid in whatever it is? I saw nothing in manual about changing it. The PDK needs routine servicing but they quote $300 to change diff fluid and $990 for PDK service. If I have a local garage do this is my warranty void? Thanks for any help.This is my first Porsche so I'm not familiar with whats really needed. Cheers Tom

 

Methinks you need a different mechanic....

 

Merging with an EXISTING transfer case thread


@schnell: Achtung! Take note!

 

Learned a bit more about transfer case (TC) failure from a Porsche service manager (SM) today. As mentioned elsewhere the root problem is a breather/filter tube on the bottom of the TC that allows moisture to get into the TC which damages the fluid and degrades the TC's performance.

To resolve this, the returned TC case is modified to remove the breather on the bottom and replace it with a top breather that is designed to prevent moisture from getting in. The guts are rebuilt, Porsche tests it and sends it back for the next replacement.

According to the SM the TC's mechanicals aren't damaged by this problem most of the time, but the rebuilt and replacement is a NA solution "encouraged" by American regulators. In Europe the first solution tried is to replace the TC fluid with a different fluid (he told me the name, but I lost my notes), add a friction modifier and reflash the TC with the lastest code. This solves the problem ~80% of the time. Maintenance is required every 4 years. Only if the problem persists is the TC replaced.

So, if your TC case is out of warranty there is potentially a few hundred dollar solution vs a $4K+ solution worth a try.

Lastly, the SM said his dealership adds the friction modifier to all their TC rebuilds and suggested I do the same. Available from Porsche parts.

 

Learned a bit more about transfer case (TC) failure from a Porsche service manager (SM) today. As mentioned elsewhere the root problem is a breather/filter tube on the bottom of the TC that allows moisture to get into the TC which damages the fluid and degrades the TC's performance.

To resolve this, the returned TC case is modified to remove the breather on the bottom and replace it with a top breather that is designed to prevent moisture from getting in. The guts are rebuilt, Porsche tests it and sends it back for the next replacement.

According to the SM the TC's mechanicals aren't damaged by this problem most of the time, but the rebuilt and replacement is a NA solution "encouraged" by American regulators. In Europe the first solution tried is to replace the TC fluid with a different fluid (he told me the name, but I lost my notes), add a friction modifier and reflash the TC with the lastest code. This solves the problem ~80% of the time. Maintenance is required every 4 years. Only if the problem persists is the TC replaced.

So, if your TC case is out of warranty there is potentially a few hundred dollar solution vs a $4K+ solution worth a try.

Lastly, the SM said his dealership adds the friction modifier to all their TC rebuilds and suggested I do the same. Available from Porsche parts.

Thanks. Very good information to have... do you have a link for that friction modifier? Not that I need it, but would be good to have the reference.

 

Hi all,
2017 GTS with 49,000kms and the Transfer Case has just gone!! All covered under the extended warranty I paid for a couple of years ago. This was the only time I have ever taken this up and now so glad that I did....

Anyway, the dealer tells me that Porsche has "updated some parts in the new replacement Transfer Case to address the issue". Can anyone else confirm this?

 

Hi all,
2017 GTS with 49,000kms and the Transfer Case has just gone!! All covered under the extended warranty I paid for a couple of years ago. This was the only time I have ever taken this up and now so glad that I did....

Anyway, the dealer tells me that Porsche has "updated some parts in the new replacement Transfer Case to address the issue". Can anyone else confirm this?

Hi BNF. I also just had my transfer case replaced in my 2017 GTS. Everything is explained in the last 2 pages of this thread (see post 511): Transfer Cases The answer is: Yes

The TC would have been covered by Porsche's 7 year (from date of manufacturer) extended warranty specific to the TC.