06S

I've searched without much luck but here's my problem with my 2006 S. I was driving home last night and went to pass someone. As the transmission downshifted from 6th to 5th, there was a very loud "clunk." It startled me enough that I immediately let off the gas so I don't know if it would have clunked several times. The closest description I can come up with is that it sounded like a gear was missing a tooth somewhere and it clunked when it grabbed the next tooth. The transmission doesn't seem to slip but my wife then said "Yeh, it's made that noise four or five times"......don't know when she was going to tell me about that!

Anyone ever experienced this before or have any suggestions on where to look or start?

Thanks!

Dennis C

It sounds to me like you have a failing transmission valve body. This is a fairly common issue on Gen 1 Cayennes. If you have it replaced, your transmission should be fine.

Slow Guy

Another suggestion would be to check the engine stabilizer bar under the hood, right side of the engine. Check the bushings on both the engine side and the frame/body side for rips and or tears.

Divot

Valve body.

You are welcome.

mikeymike79

I've heard the same thing on my cayenne but it happens more in 3rd or 4th gear. If it is a valve body, any idea how much it would cost?

Feralc

It is the valve body, I believe mine was fixed for around 2000 usd.

endless_corners

Welcome to the valve body clunk club. It's annoying. I can avoid it every time if I let off the gas and manually shift. It's something on my list. You can be scrappy and do it for less money as long as the TCU doesn't have to be replaced as well.

rbaron

Ouch.

I've noticed this recently when manually downshifting from 5th to 4th or 4th to 3rd. How is the definitive diagnosis made? Does it throw a fault code?

--Bob (original owner - '04 CS - 61k miles)

rbaron

And: Is it significant that I don't get the clunk when I quickly downshift from 6th-5th-4th to merge or pass?

endless_corners

It just means it isn't that bad yet IMO.

rbaron

Update: I had the car in to the dealer for the 60,000 mile service last week - as well as replacement of failed coolant pipes - and asked them to check the transmission for clunks.

The complaint: "Occasional transmission has a clunking noise when downshifting. Ck & Adv."

The report: "Technician found engine torque mounts loose, re-torqued mount, no other problems noticed and no faults in system."

Cuba

If it just started then it would be very intermittent and difficult to reproduce so it's possible that it was as simple as retorquing but I wouldn't be surprised if it came back, especially with your description, in which case... Transmission valve body, it'll run you around $2K for parts and labor including the TCU which IS required if using the current parts. There are remanufacturers that sell the old VB's for less but I know nothing about the quality or process. I had mine done right about a year ago and no issues since. Good luck.

rbaron

I am curious about this, wondering if doing the downshifts on closed throttle would be more proper with the tiptronic than keeping the throttle open when using the rocker switches. I looked in the owner's manual for my '04 CS and see no mention one way or the other.

Does anyone have any relevant knowledge on this subject (other than 'it is - or soon will be - the valve body')?

Thanks,

--Bob

mcbit

On my 09 GTS during the first 15k kms of the 70k kms that I owned the transmission clunked (well it actually felt like the transmission was going to join me in the cabin) twice. No resolution and no repetition.