Guide to Repairing a PDK Transmission
11-23-2020 | 11:06 PM
#361
Thread Starter
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,808
Likes: 1,539
From: Southern California
Hi,
I'm sorry to hear and I hope to hear good news..
Regarding fault code P1731
See the following link:
https://www.2carpros.com/questions/pdk-gearbox
"I found solution for this case,
Porsche Panamera Uses ZF Transmission, for P1731, P1732, P1733, P1734 fault codes not required to replace gearbox (PDK) or transmission control unit, Just simply replace following part:
- Sensor Pack (Position Sensor with Speed and Temperature Sensors)
- Part #: 97031708500, Estimated Price is 500 USD.
But before any replacement, make sure your battery life is good, because Porsche is one of the most sensitive cars to over / under voltage situations. So much technology is packed into them, that bad or going battery can and does make funny things with totally unrelated systems.
Everything in the car is controlled by microprocessors and when the voltages get low you get weird signals that can be misinterpreted by the other processors.
If not worked, then try to replace with above sensor pack."
I'm sorry to hear and I hope to hear good news..
Regarding fault code P1731
See the following link:
https://www.2carpros.com/questions/pdk-gearbox
"I found solution for this case,
Porsche Panamera Uses ZF Transmission, for P1731, P1732, P1733, P1734 fault codes not required to replace gearbox (PDK) or transmission control unit, Just simply replace following part:
- Sensor Pack (Position Sensor with Speed and Temperature Sensors)
- Part #: 97031708500, Estimated Price is 500 USD.
But before any replacement, make sure your battery life is good, because Porsche is one of the most sensitive cars to over / under voltage situations. So much technology is packed into them, that bad or going battery can and does make funny things with totally unrelated systems.
Everything in the car is controlled by microprocessors and when the voltages get low you get weird signals that can be misinterpreted by the other processors.
If not worked, then try to replace with above sensor pack."
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GTSpure (11-24-2020)
11-25-2020 | 05:32 PM
#362
Thread Starter
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,808
Likes: 1,539
From: Southern California
Christmas came early here in Southern California as I just received a distance/displacement sensor from a great guy on the other side of the world (I'll identify him if he says it's ok. Edit - Got the ok it's from Ruperto who commented above. Check out his photos in comment #330 where he cracked open a PDK case).
Pretty sure this sensor has one failed channel out of four based on the failure description, the the first step will be to put it on a bench and characterize the channels. Next step will be to soften up the hard epoxy potting sealing the back of the unit. I've got some experience with this from my aerospace background, but if anyone has specialized expertise please post or PM me.
Pretty exciting, will be posting pictures and documentation as we make progress.
Pretty sure this sensor has one failed channel out of four based on the failure description, the the first step will be to put it on a bench and characterize the channels. Next step will be to soften up the hard epoxy potting sealing the back of the unit. I've got some experience with this from my aerospace background, but if anyone has specialized expertise please post or PM me.
Pretty exciting, will be posting pictures and documentation as we make progress.
Last edited by PV997; 11-27-2020 at 01:07 PM.
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Goldenappple (12-12-2020)
12-03-2020 | 05:12 PM
#366
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Joined: Apr 2013
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Likes: 2
A P173x code means the distance sensor is providing a signal outside the normal 10% to 90% pulse width range. Usually this would mean there is an open or a short circuit so instead of there being a pulse, the signal will be 0% (open) or 100% (shorted). As has been discussed, the distance sensor is inside the gearbox section of the transmission and Porsche will not provide a replacement.
The part number quoted is for the transmission control unit (TCU), a computer inside the car that reads signals from the distance sensor and others. Why does the Porsche dealer think the TCU is bad and not the distance sensor itself? What exactly have they done to diagnose it? A new TCU from a dealer will cost you a minimum of $1000. It's possible the problem is in the TCU but much more likely the problem is the distance sensor itself in my opinion. Did they take measurements on the distance sensor and the TCU to isolate the issue?
It would be great if the TCU was the issue as it's much less expensive to fix. But unless they have solid evidence the TCU is the problem it sounds to me like they want to throw parts at the problem. It's your call if you want to go along with this. Personally, this is exactly why I never take my car to a Porsche dealership. I expect a detailed methodical diagnosis using some critical thinking, not some guy following a flow chart and throwing parts at the problem (at my expense) in the hopes it fixes it.
Please ask them exactly why they think it's the TCU and post their response here so the rest of us can learn from it. Thanks!
The part number quoted is for the transmission control unit (TCU), a computer inside the car that reads signals from the distance sensor and others. Why does the Porsche dealer think the TCU is bad and not the distance sensor itself? What exactly have they done to diagnose it? A new TCU from a dealer will cost you a minimum of $1000. It's possible the problem is in the TCU but much more likely the problem is the distance sensor itself in my opinion. Did they take measurements on the distance sensor and the TCU to isolate the issue?
It would be great if the TCU was the issue as it's much less expensive to fix. But unless they have solid evidence the TCU is the problem it sounds to me like they want to throw parts at the problem. It's your call if you want to go along with this. Personally, this is exactly why I never take my car to a Porsche dealership. I expect a detailed methodical diagnosis using some critical thinking, not some guy following a flow chart and throwing parts at the problem (at my expense) in the hopes it fixes it.
Please ask them exactly why they think it's the TCU and post their response here so the rest of us can learn from it. Thanks!
I have a 2013 911 carrera ran fine then next day several fault messages and can't put in reverse or any forward gear. Flatbed to dealer. Here is their response:
P1737 Distance Sensor F. Shift Rod F. gears 1/3-short term fault
P1733 Displ sensor shift rod gears 1/3, implausible signal
From my reading of this thread am I right in thinking I'm screwed and need a new transmission..obviously not from Porsche.
12-04-2020 | 11:02 AM
#367
Thread Starter
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,808
Likes: 1,539
From: Southern California
PV997 unbelievable amount of information here. I'm looking for help for my situation and the above post (#254) sounds like I have bad distance sensors.
I have a 2013 911 carrera ran fine then next day several fault messages and can't put in reverse or any forward gear. Flatbed to dealer. Here is their response:
P1737 Distance Sensor F. Shift Rod F. gears 1/3-short term fault
P1733 Displ sensor shift rod gears 1/3, implausible signal
From my reading of this thread am I right in thinking I'm screwed and need a new transmission..obviously not from Porsche.
I have a 2013 911 carrera ran fine then next day several fault messages and can't put in reverse or any forward gear. Flatbed to dealer. Here is their response:
P1737 Distance Sensor F. Shift Rod F. gears 1/3-short term fault
P1733 Displ sensor shift rod gears 1/3, implausible signal
From my reading of this thread am I right in thinking I'm screwed and need a new transmission..obviously not from Porsche.
Good news is that there a lot more 991.1 PDKs available from junkyards than there are 997.2 PDKs so you probably have some options there.
I did get some measurements made on the sensor that was sent to me (1 bad channel) and it behaves just as expected. I'll post a video showing the results soon. Unfortunately it will probably be too late for you but it's encouraging that we on the right track as to how this thing works and possible repair solutions.
12-04-2020 | 01:24 PM
#368
Thread Starter
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,808
Likes: 1,539
From: Southern California
I've uploaded a short video showing benchtop measurements made on the PDK distance sensor I received from Ruperto. No surprises, it behaves exactly as I thought it would.
Please excuse my filming and narration skills as it's pretty amateurish.
Next step is to open it up but I need to soften up the epoxy potting. I did try boiling it but it wasn't hot enough as the epoxy barely softened. Next try will be localized heat via a heat gun. More to come.
Please excuse my filming and narration skills as it's pretty amateurish.
Next step is to open it up but I need to soften up the epoxy potting. I did try boiling it but it wasn't hot enough as the epoxy barely softened. Next try will be localized heat via a heat gun. More to come.
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12-05-2020 | 11:25 AM
#369
RL Community Team
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: San Jose, California
Best of luck.
Karl.
12-09-2020 | 05:26 AM
#370
Racer
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 461
Likes: 109
I've uploaded a short video showing benchtop measurements made on the PDK distance sensor I received from Ruperto. No surprises, it behaves exactly as I thought it would.
Please excuse my filming and narration skills as it's pretty amateurish.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-pKZTlBbAw
Next step is to open it up but I need to soften up the epoxy potting. I did try boiling it but it wasn't hot enough as the epoxy barely softened. Next try will be localized heat via a heat gun. More to come.
Please excuse my filming and narration skills as it's pretty amateurish.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-pKZTlBbAw
Next step is to open it up but I need to soften up the epoxy potting. I did try boiling it but it wasn't hot enough as the epoxy barely softened. Next try will be localized heat via a heat gun. More to come.
Do you think that after you remove the epoxy it will be possible to fix the bad sensor?
Is it a ZF sensor or does it have a stamp from another manufacturer?
12-09-2020 | 11:38 AM
#371
Thread Starter
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,808
Likes: 1,539
From: Southern California
Another option is to just gut the metal case, layout and fab a new wiring board from scratch with new chips. Another Rennlister with PWB experience thinks it could be done pretty cheap and I think he's right. One way or another we'll get a solution. Seriously, the Porsche executive who made the decision to screw over owners can go F himself.
Yeah, it's a ZF part, the logo is stamped right on it along with the PN. I mentioned this several times upthread but I contacted ZF and they confirmed the PN but stated their contract with Porsche does not allow them to sell it to the public.
12-11-2020 | 11:08 AM
#375
Thread Starter
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,808
Likes: 1,539
From: Southern California
That's great Fraaz, please post details in this thread as your guy makes progress. Feel free to send me a PM if you'd like to compare notes.