Huncowboy

Today I was playing with the PDK and just as I was making a U turn and accelerating out of it trying to shift from 1 to 2, the gearbox display went blank for a sec, the car lost power, and the gearbox went into "emergency mode". Every 2nd gear was missing. I also got Engine Control Failure and a third associated failure, something like "Sport mode not available".

Glad I was within a mile from home. First I pulled over and switched the car off, then on again see if it helps. It did not. It did not say shut it down so I limped home with only the odd gears, and called the dealer. It was too late to bring it in. He told me to turn the engine on/off then open/close the door three times. I did that and the gearbox recovered but the Engine Control Fault remains. He said I can drive it and I did a few miles. I took it out and went through all the gears, and all seems fine, except the fault is still there.

I guess I will bring it by Monday. Anyone else has experienced this? It was almost like the gears did not like the side load out of the turn. Also, I thought I have heard some clunks coming from the rear a day or two ago. But this being our first Porsche, there are lots of noises that I am not familiar with. I am expecting a simple computer reset, and them clearing the fault. But it sure was odd.

Huncowboy

Just an update. Monday morning when I started the car, to drive it to the dealer, all the faults cleared. Murphy's law. I drove it to the dealer anyways. After some testing they decided to keep it and call Porsche Germany. As it turns out the car will get a new transmission and the original one will be sent back to the Motherland. According to the dealer they don't take the PDK transmissions apart in the USA. I have to say although I hate that I can't drive it, I am happy that they will replace it completely.

hff

Good outcome that they replacing!

kosmo

yup, they do not repaire PDKs.

MarcusG

Good to hear they are going to take care of it 100%.

I overheard the same conversation about sending the PDK gearbox back to Stuttgart. There were a couple of "Enigma machine" jokes and whatnot. The techs appeared happy they didn't have to open it up.

AMNJ

I bought 2013 4S a month ago. Three days ago I saw a similar message. The car would start but could not move. I have not gotten back yet. I am pissed though. It has less than 1500 miles. O

Huncowboy

Mine has just over 1500 miles. Reading around here (especially the post about the owner who has to replace his soft top), I am starting to wonder if Porsche is keeping any inventory at all in the USA. They are sending my PDK from Germany, that guys' tools to repair his top are being sent from Germany. Somewhere else I have read another PDK had to come from Germany as well. Why don't they have PDKs on inventory at a central location here on this continent? Most 911s are sold with PDK and the car has been out for almost two years or so.

I realize cutting edge stuff breaks all the time. Heck, Sebastian Vettel's F1 car breaks too. I never expect a perfect car anymore. But four days later my PDK is still not here, so I know this will not be done over the weekend. Do they know about FEDEX? I am not paying for a 911 to drive a beaten up first generation Cayenne for weeks because they have no parts.

chuck911

I keep saying Porsche is much more sophisticated than we think. Most people probably read that and think yeah they're pretty advanced, but he's just being complimentary, other cars are pretty advanced too. Yeah. Right. As if.

Lets get real. These are the guys who took a rubber motor mount and turned it into a computer-controlled magnetorheological fluid-filled dynamic suspension component. Of course the soft top thats as quiet as a coupe needs special tools. Of course the PDK transmission that shifts in milliseconds and has a dual-clutch that lasts forever can only be fixed by the brilliant guys who made it. Be happy. Instead of the best, you could have bought a car anyone can fix.

Huncowboy

Chuck,
Not sure how that has anything to do with parts not being available.

draxa

....bit it's a terrific rant nonetheless!

chuck911

Right, that's a different part, er aspect, of the problem. Porsche makes extensive use of just-in-time manufacturing. Back in the day there were parts lying around everywhere. Now the part is manufactured just in time to be packed, shipped, and arrive at the work station moments before assembly. There are no stockpiles of spare PDK transmissions just sitting around waiting for one to go bad. I bet even race teams have times when they have to wait on production.

chuck911

Thanks. There was one word, I knew the term I wanted but had to look it up just to be sure. Now I know it was worth the effort! Its in here somewhere: "These are the guys who took a rubber motor mount and turned it into a computer-controlled magnetorheological fluid-filled dynamic suspension component."

Huncowboy

I learned about JIT some 20+ years ago when I finished my degree. Some old memories. However this would be a case of JNIT. I am sure you can figure it out.

I guess forums are about loving and ranting. All good. I was told the part has been released. Perhaps someone was emotionally attached to it.

robbieracer

Sorry to hear about your PDK problems too! This also happened to me last week. We're some of the early failures and there will be plenty more in the future. At a cost of $18K MSRP and this doesn't include labor, shipping, etc. this is costing Porsche a lot of money. I heard the new Macan will have the PDK also. I have a loaner Cayenne and my wife really likes it and we're considering the Macan as a possible replacement for her car. This failure will be part of our decision making and sounds like an extended warranty is a must.

Here's the link to pricing:
http://sonnenporscheoemparts.com/par...IC%20TRANSAXLE

gt3fantasy

I'm waiting for my 911 coming in this December, I'm getting the manual, so should I worry? It seems like the 991 already have a few problems, stop start problem, now pdk. I just came off of the GTR platform, and into a 911, and I hear this similiar issue as the GTR.

Nissan also doesn't want the dealer to touch their transmission either, they also have their own specialist sent here to diagnose the problem. So I don't blame porsche for not trusting anyone to handle their pdk, especially the dealer.

This is one of the reason I go back to a manual, and throw the gears myself.