Another PDK failure
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 216
Likes: 5
Another PDK failure
There are a few other PDK failures for our car posted, but I thought I'd add to the list to keep everyone informed of another failure. My car is a early 2012 model with 37k miles.
Driving home on Tuesday the car lost power like it was in neutral then jumped in and out of gear a couple times. I had a "yellow" drivetrain failure on the dash. Pulled over the tried to back into a parking space but reverse didn't work, so coasted backwards. Called Porsche USA and they said I should be able to drive it if it's a yellow warning, not red. Started the car and wouldn't go into drive or reverse. The drivetrain fault turned into a check engine fault. When flatbed arrived I was able to drive in forward and in reverse, but engine fault was still there. At Porsche dealer, they could drive it too.
They downloaded the error codes and sent them to Atlanta, which sounded like there were many. Cleared them and drove it, same thing happened to them as I described. They needed to send another tech with computer to download and clear the codes again in order to drive it back to the dealer. They sent those codes to Atlanta too. Next step is replace valve body on transmission, should know more today. The step after that would be to replace transmission which another member here experienced. More to come...
Driving home on Tuesday the car lost power like it was in neutral then jumped in and out of gear a couple times. I had a "yellow" drivetrain failure on the dash. Pulled over the tried to back into a parking space but reverse didn't work, so coasted backwards. Called Porsche USA and they said I should be able to drive it if it's a yellow warning, not red. Started the car and wouldn't go into drive or reverse. The drivetrain fault turned into a check engine fault. When flatbed arrived I was able to drive in forward and in reverse, but engine fault was still there. At Porsche dealer, they could drive it too.
They downloaded the error codes and sent them to Atlanta, which sounded like there were many. Cleared them and drove it, same thing happened to them as I described. They needed to send another tech with computer to download and clear the codes again in order to drive it back to the dealer. They sent those codes to Atlanta too. Next step is replace valve body on transmission, should know more today. The step after that would be to replace transmission which another member here experienced. More to come...
Last edited by robbieracer; Oct 28, 2013 at 10:57 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 10,594
Likes: 8
From: THE Republic
IMO PDK failures are still relatively low so dealers dont see it to often. FUrthermore, Porsche does not allow the dealer to service the PDK, w/ the exception of the valve body and other accessory items.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 546
From: Pennsylvania
This sound remarkably similar to an incident I had with a Panamera. I was on 95N north of Washington headed back to the dealer in Delware. I saw the warning light, figured that it would be best for me not to stop, so I kept going. Shifting was clunky as i accelerated from slowing at the ez pass tolls. The yellow eventually turned into a red when I stopped for gas to top up the loaner a few miles from the dealer. When I restarted it, the light was gone.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 122
Likes: 2
I had a similar issue with a 2010 Panamera 4S. The car was nearly new with 1K-2K. After a lot of back and forth between the dealer and Atlanta (over the course of a whole week) they ended up replacing the transmission and I never had anymore problems.
Trending Topics
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Long Island
I just had a somewhat similar experience. Started for work on a cold morning. I noticed some transmission "jump" in my recently acquired 2010 Cayman PDK with 30,000 miles. Then about 5 miles out, transmission warning message came on and transmission was jumpy. Pulled off the parkway, stopped and called dealer who sold me the car and spoke to service rep. She said there have been similar reports on Caymans and Panameras in cold weather. Said to turn it off, let it sit for a few minutes and then restart. I did and the message and jumpy transmission disappeared. I'll see what happens tomorrow morning as it will be even colder.
Rennlist Stories
The Best Porsche Posts for Porsche Enthusiasts
Talos Takes Your 991 Porsche 911 GT3 to the Next Level for a Cool $1.13 Million
Verdad Gallardo
9 Vehicles Porsche Helped Engineer that Aren't Porsches
Verdad Gallardo
9 Features and Characteristics That Only Porsche People Understand
Verdad Gallardo
I've Written 500 Rennlist Articles: Here's How Porsche Has Changed Along the Way
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Unnecessary Porsches Ever Built (And Why We Love Them)
Verdad Gallardo
Porsche 911 GT3 S/C vs 718 Spyder RS: 10 Categories, One Winner
Joe Kucinski
This Builder Is Turning Heads With Its Slantnose 911 Creation
Verdad Gallardo
Porsche 911 GT3 Artisan Edition Pays Homage to Japanese Culture
Verdad Gallardo
Porsche Reveals Coupe Variant of the Electric Cayenne With a Fresh Look
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,121
Likes: 488
From: Ny
Sorry to hear about this...
I'm sure they are isolated incidents...
Still,it remains a pretty complicated transmission...it goes to show you that Porsche prefers replacing it rather than letting the dealer try to repair it...
What's going to happen when these things go out of warranty? Some folks like to keep their cars for a long time...
Please ignore my signature,I am not trying to turn this thread into a Manual vs PDK,but I'll take a 6 speed any day...
I'm sure they are isolated incidents...
Still,it remains a pretty complicated transmission...it goes to show you that Porsche prefers replacing it rather than letting the dealer try to repair it...
What's going to happen when these things go out of warranty? Some folks like to keep their cars for a long time...
Please ignore my signature,I am not trying to turn this thread into a Manual vs PDK,but I'll take a 6 speed any day...
Last edited by neanicu; Dec 12, 2013 at 01:49 PM.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 26,140
Likes: 5,467
From: Chicagoland Area
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,121
Likes: 488
From: Ny
I'd also like to point out that you are the most " involved " out of all of us driving a 79 SC,so it's easy for you to talk...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 216
Likes: 5
Sorry to hear about other people having PDK issues. Mine was in the shop for a little over 2 weeks and they put in a new transmission. Everything has been good since, but it makes me a little nervous if it wasn't under warranty to due the expense fixing/replacing it. Also, interested in the Macan for my wife, but having second thoughts...
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
I have to say your signature made me laugh - and not in a good way. Of course you have the right to believe whatever you'd like to, no matter how fact-free it might be - and I'm not referring to the pledge of allegiance part.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,121
Likes: 488
From: Ny
Chill dude...