PDK Failure?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 244
Likes: 6
PDK Failure?
Last weekend I was driving my 2013 C2, all of a sudden I get an alert message on the display that says "sport mode not available". The car is in 5th, and won't up shift or downshift. I decide to pull over and put it in neutral. I turn off the car and restart, hoping it's just an electronic fluke. Now I get three messages, one being something like " transmission failure, possible to drive on". Well, it wasn't possible to drive n, it just blinked "2" on the gear display.
Luckily, I was only a few miles from the dealership. Porsche roadside got me a tow, and even got me an Uber home! The must have called me 4 times during the whole process to make sure everything was going ok. Stellar service.
So, the car has been at the dealer for the entire week, and still no clear diagnosis. They said they have been back and forth with the engineering team at Porsche, but I don't have specifics on what they have tried.
I have never had a major issue like this on any of my cars, does it usually take this long to figure out what is wrong? This whole thing is a bit concerning because my warranty is up in a few months and I was planning on keeping the car for a few more years. I know the 991's are generally solid but this has me second guess keeping it past warranty.
Edit: there are approx 26k miles on the car.
Luckily, I was only a few miles from the dealership. Porsche roadside got me a tow, and even got me an Uber home! The must have called me 4 times during the whole process to make sure everything was going ok. Stellar service.
So, the car has been at the dealer for the entire week, and still no clear diagnosis. They said they have been back and forth with the engineering team at Porsche, but I don't have specifics on what they have tried.
I have never had a major issue like this on any of my cars, does it usually take this long to figure out what is wrong? This whole thing is a bit concerning because my warranty is up in a few months and I was planning on keeping the car for a few more years. I know the 991's are generally solid but this has me second guess keeping it past warranty.
Edit: there are approx 26k miles on the car.
Last edited by Justin N; Jun 5, 2016 at 02:25 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,104
Likes: 485
From: Ny
Sorry to hear. But on the bright side,it's good it happened before your warranty expired. Even though I am very sure Porsche would've taken care of you anyway in this case...
As a side note,please consider a manual transmission in your next Porsche.
As a side note,please consider a manual transmission in your next Porsche.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 56
From: los angeles
i'm betting that it will be a $11k ticket to fix (a new tranny/module), and one that PNA will pay for. if it's not, you might hope that it was. been there, done that.
do a search on the topic.
best,
do a search on the topic.
best,
Pro
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 615
Likes: 125
From: SF Bay Area
My last 5 cars were MT,s and wanted my new Porsche to also be a MT. But now that I'm down to just his and hers, no extras, my decision was clear. PDK or having to hear " I don't like shifting" Married life is all about compromises. Happy wife- happy life. Do I miss rowing the gears,Yes, do I like PDK Yes.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: CA, SF Bay Area
My 4 yrs expire in Jan'17...I know I'm getting an extended warranty !
Btw, I learned on manual when I was 16 and driven 991S with manual...the shifts are long ...didn't quite enjoy it ...but it's just me I guess..
Btw, I learned on manual when I was 16 and driven 991S with manual...the shifts are long ...didn't quite enjoy it ...but it's just me I guess..
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 244
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I have actually never owned an automatic vehicle before this, but the PDK is a really great tranny from a driving perspective( electronic gremlins not withstanding). Besides, it has two clutches, and what is more "manly" than having more of something!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
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Just got an update from the dealer - transmission is getting replaced. They swapped out the whole PDK unit but still need to do some software updates and testing tomorrow. Service advisor said the cost would have been 10k in parts alone, although I swear I read the PDK on this car costs more. They said they have never replaced a trans on a 991, I find the service techs at this dealer very capable but we'll see....
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 899
Likes: 60
From: Chalfont, PA
Just got an update from the dealer - transmission is getting replaced. They swapped out the whole PDK unit but still need to do some software updates and testing tomorrow. Service advisor said the cost would have been 10k in parts alone, although I swear I read the PDK on this car costs more. They said they have never replaced a trans on a 991, I find the service techs at this dealer very capable but we'll see....
Here's a couple of pics:
991 PDK
991 PDK