[Digby]

I would also point out you chose not to buy an extended warranty that would have covered this. Most who buy extended warranties will never recover their cost, but here you lost the bet.

 

[akisf226]

It is certainly unfortunate that the transmission failed but as we all know, nothing lasts forever. It happened to one of my BMWs (1999 528i) at about the same mileage. I decided to bite the bullet and trade it in for a new one (2011 528i). You might want to figure out a trade in value towards another Macan (new or CPO) and take it from there.

 

[Korilyn]

Transparent? You sound like one of our politicians whose name I will not mention. Trying to hide the fact your car has 90,000 miles is not exactly being transparent.

Unfortunately with pretty much any car you will see a few transmission failures at this mileage level, and there are plenty of cars where the cost of a complete transmission replacement at 90,000 miles would come close to the value of the car.

You need to find a transmission shop that rebuilds these. At 90,000 miles, the price will make more sense, plus you can expect to get a warranty.

This is not only the wrong thread for politics, but also the wrong forum. About the transmission discussion, I completely respect your opinion about my intent, even though it differs from mine. And I agree, if I can find an independent transmission mechanic to rebuild, that would certainly be the way to go. Believe me, I've been trying. The best I can find at the moment is a shop that will install a used one from a wreck for $13,000 with no warranty. They said they can try to rebuild but won't know until they diagnose, and if they find that they can't rebuild I will be on the hook for $2000-$6000 for the attempt to fix it it and put it back together. Or, I will need to go forward once they have the car apart with the $13,000 to install the one from the wreck and take my chances on no warranty. And as we all know, I've definitely learned my lesson about a warranty, so that's not an option.

If anyone knows of a shop in the MA or NH area, please let me know. Much appreciated.

 

[Shark]

If anyone knows of a shop in the MA or NH area, please let me know. Much appreciated.

I believe Reflex Tuning in Hooksett rebuilds Audi dual clutch transmissions.

 

[Korilyn]

I believe Reflex Tuning in Hooksett rebuilds Audi dual clutch transmissions.

Awesome, I will call today, thanks so much!!!

 

[Digby]

Fairly certain Russell Transmission in Manchester rebuilds these

 

[Korilyn]

Fairly certain Russell Transmission in Manchester rebuilds these

Great, thank you — I will call them as well.

 

[Digby]

Also, suggest you call certified Automotive solutions in Nashua. Not sure if they do this type of work, but they are Audi specialists, and I bet at the very least they will know who in the area does.

 

[Korilyn]

Also, suggest you call certified Automotive solutions in Nashua. Not sure if they do this type of work, but they are Audi specialists, and I bet at the very least they will know who in the area does.

They are now on my list as well! Appreciate your help.

 

[c3uo]

I just want to add, that I really feel bad that you're having transmission issues. I agree, that 90k is too soon for a $20K repair bill. That said, I have been on this forum and have not read many PDK issues. I believe most were related to the mechatronic / transmission valve body / solenoid replacement. Sometimes they replaced the whole PDK as it was easier. I recommend trying to push Porsche a little harder, and if that fails go the independent mechatronic / valve body / solenoid replacement (I think they're all terms for the same thing).

I'm sorry you had this happen, and if this thread is to raise a stink so Porsche give support - great!! I hope they do (and think they should) step up. They are marketed as a premier autu company and should provide customer support like one. The profit margin on a Macan is much higher then a VW.

Question for those familiar with PDK - does flushing the PDK fluid help? Does anyone know the root cause of the mechatronic issue is (maybe someone from an Audi forum)?

 

[jzwu]

Let's stop personal attacks. We are here to help each other.

 

[Digby]

Let's stop personal attacks. We are here to help each other.

Sorry, but when someone intentionally posts a misleading message they deserve to be called out on it.

 

[jzwu]

I saw that but let's be nice still.

I believe it was not an ill-minded omission.

BTW, even at 90k miles without any abuse a high quality modern car should not have a catastrophic transmission failure.

 

[DanNYC]

I believe it was not an ill-minded omission.

Oh please. We are not fools here. The OP repeatedly ignored questions on how many miles were on the vehicle, and instead tried to focus on the fact that it’s only five years old. The OP admitted to the mileage only after being confronted with it. It is called “spin”.

 

[Don16]

My guess is valve body is going. Quick search finds a good handful of results, so although not common as TC it is a known issue and others have had it and varying mileages.

I think mileage of a vehicle is irrelevant no transmission or engine should suffer sever failure if maintained correctly unless its manufactured fault.

Maybe as more cars approx 100,000 we will start to see more trans issues.

Look at cayenne forums, few years ahead and they were reporting TC failures long before macan owners were.

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

 

[Korilyn]

I just want to add, that I really feel bad that you're having transmission issues. I agree, that 90k is too soon for a $20K repair bill. That said, I have been on this forum and have not read many PDK issues. I believe most were related to the mechatronic / transmission valve body / solenoid replacement. Sometimes they replaced the whole PDK as it was easier. I recommend trying to push Porsche a little harder, and if that fails go the independent mechatronic / valve body / solenoid replacement (I think they're all terms for the same thing).

I'm sorry you had this happen, and if this thread is to raise a stink so Porsche give support - great!! I hope they do (and think they should) step up. They are marketed as a premier autu company and should provide customer support like one. The profit margin on a Macan is much higher then a VW.

Question for those familiar with PDK - does flushing the PDK fluid help? Does anyone know the root cause of the mechatronic issue is (maybe someone from an Audi forum)?

Thank you so very much for your response and support. I had this discussion with the dealership and they acknowledge that it might not require a transmission replacement, and it could be another component. If they fix another component and it turns out to need a new transmission, then this would be double the labor. So, they are only willing to replace the transmission. Which is exactly what you said: they're replacing the PDK because it's easier/most cost-effective, which jacks up the price of repair for me.

 

[1oldf]

Symptoms: PDK Failure Light, Rough Gear Changes, Transmission Faults, Emergency Transmission Run Warning on Dash

The Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe – which translates to Porsche double-clutch transmission or PDK – now that’s when you really need an acronym! A number of Porsche Macan owners have experienced failure of the PDK transmission.
The PDK is an automated manual transmission. Two units matched together – a manual transmission rear section and automated dual clutch front section. The manual transmission rear section is very solid and reliable. Most issues occur with the electronic and hydraulically controlled clutch section at the front of the transmission. Physically, the PDK is a ZF transmission unit that has been around for a number of years. VAG took multiple versions of the transmission and personalized them for their various car ranges. Porsche adapted the software and labeled their version PDK.
There are a number of ways in which the PDK in the Macan can fail. Most show up as a collection of warning lights on the dash and an eventual refusal to do anything. The only viable solution for most people is the replace the PDK – this is very expensive. However, much of the need for replacement of the PDK comes from a lack of understanding, unavailable parts and an unwillingness to dig deep.
Components and Failures
Transmission Control Module – TCM

The connection to the car and communication of instructions to the transmission, come from an external module called a transmission Control Module (TCM). While this rarely has issues, it can become confused and has been the subject of a number of software revisions. Re-flashing the TCM doesn’t usually solve problems, but ensuring you have the latest software revision can’t hurt. This is where diagnostic faults are stored.
Mechatronic Unit – Valve Body
The TCM sends instruction to the Mechatronic unit or valve body inside the transmission. The Mechatronic unit is a complex series of electronics, hydraulic valves and sensors. These devices are managed by a control module attached to the Mechatronic unit. This is the system which enables gear changes and controls the transmission functionality.
The Mechatronic unit is a common failure point for this type of transmission. In 2009, VW recalled 53000 of them – so there have been many issues in the past. Problems with the Mechatronic unit vary, but commonly include failure to select gears, rough gears changes, etc. The physical components of the transmission are robust, so this unit is often the most economical place to start for most issues.
Sensors

Connected to the Mechatronic unit are a number of sensors throughout the transmission. These determine the operating conditions within the transmission. For example, the temperature of the fluid, the rotational output speed, hydraulic clutch pressure and movement of gears selectors. Failure of these sensors is very common. Early on, Porsche routinely replaced the wiring and trans temp sensor in most of the PDKs.
However, the problem did not go away and has re-occurred on the same transmissions further down the road. The temp sensor problem can show up on almost any model with a PDK.
Clutch

The clutch pack has proven to be very robust and generally does not fail with normal use. Over extended mileage this will become a wear component that will need to be replaced. The failures of the clutch that have occurred, are usually on performance enhanced engines delivering too much torque for the clutch plates. At higher torques, the clutches slip resulting in highly accelerated wear and early failure.
Why do I need to replace the PDK?
The PDK transmissions in the later cars are very complex and the technology involved is a closely guarded secret. Technicians at Porsche are not trained to dissect the transmission and make repairs. They will replace the Mechatronic unit, but often they just replace the transmission as a whole. The components such as the Transmission Control Module (TCM) and the Mechatronic Unit or valve body inside the transmission are often unavailable as parts outside of the Porsche workshop.
The manufacturers do not want it taken apart and it’s often described as a “sealed PDK”. The result from faults is often a new PDK, when in reality, an internal component swap would likely save the whole unit from being replaced. While there is a lot of complex “stuff” in there, the physical components typically don’t break. So, being forced to lash out $12K to $15K for a new PDK, in our mind, is often caused by an unwillingness of people to take the thing apart!
Can You Get Creative?

Creative can often translate to money saving. Removal and disassembly of the PDK is not complex. However, access to parts and the need for a PIWIS to re-initialize the PDK are barriers for the DIY enthusiast. There is an excellent article here that provides good background, examples of the work and videos of the internals of the transmission.
Having experienced a PDK problem on a vehicle we owned, we got creative. Based on issues with other transmissions, such as the Mercedes Benz, commonly known for valve body failure, we were convinced our issues lay in the physical part of the Mechatronic unit. Short version – we got a new Mechatronic unit from Audi, replaced the electronics with the original unit from the Porsche, flashed the TCM to match new software levels and hey presto, a perfectly working PDK!
If you have PDK problems and want to try something creative before shelling out for a new unit, you’ll need the help of an expert independent Porsche repair shop.

 

[Wolverine]

I think mileage of a vehicle is irrelevant no transmission or engine should suffer sever failure if maintained correctly unless its manufactured fault.

To think that engines and transmissions will last forever is ridiculous.

Gtanted the average transmission today lasts longer than 90,000 miles, but a few of them start to fail before 100,000 miles. Happens with every vehicle manufacturer. Thinking that somehow Porsche’s state of the art transmission is exempt from this is foolishness. No two transmissions have the same usage history.

Did anyone happen to notice the warranty expired at 50,000 miles? We had a seven year old X5 and the transmission failed at 69,000 miles, despite the ZF sourced 8 Speed rear wheel drive transmission has a stellar reputation. The dealer wanted $16,000 to replace the transmission, but like here, that made no sense given the remaining value of the car. We appealed to BMW USA, and their response was sorry but your vehicle is well out of warranty. We were able to have it rebuilt for less than $5000.

 

[Susie’s Macan]

Porsche has long been known for having high priced service and replacement parts. Not sure why anybody is really surprised by this story

There is a substantial risk to owning a Porsche outside of warranty. The vast majority of owners will not get burned, because fortunately other than for normal maintenance, replacement parts are not often required, especially the more expensive ones.

But things like this occasionally happen. If you want to take the risk of going without a warranty, most likely you will win, but you need to recognize that this situation is within the realm of possibility.

 

[Don16]

To think that engines and transmissions will last forever is ridiculous.

Gtanted the average transmission today lasts longer than 90,000 miles, but a few of them start to fail before 100,000 miles. Happens with every vehicle manufacturer. Thinking that somehow Porsche’s state of the art transmission is exempt from this is foolishness. No two transmissions have the same usage history.

Did anyone happen to notice the warranty expired at 50,000 miles? We had a seven year old X5 and the transmission failed at 69,000 miles, despite the ZF sourced 8 Speed rear wheel drive transmission has a stellar reputation. The dealer wanted $16,000 to replace the transmission, but like here, that made no sense given the remaining value of the car. We appealed to BMW USA, and their response was sorry but your vehicle is well out of warranty. We were able to have it rebuilt for less than $5000.

I never said forever but I would expect 200,000 + more miles at least.



Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk