2011 Cayenne Transmission Failure? Plz Advise
11-17-2018, 10:47 AM
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
2011 Cayenne Transmission Failure? Plz Advise
Hello Gang,
Quick Background; 2011 Cayenne S, owned it since the spring with 63k miles, now has about 69k, she’s my sole daily driver, mostly short trips to the office and then occasionally a 200 or so mile trip home to see the family, (adding miles very slowly and not too much hot roding).
About 3-4K miles ago I started experiencing typical transfer case problems. I brought the car into my Indy shop and I had them change all fluids (Transfer, Transmission, Drive Shaft, Coolant, Battery itself, Oil, you name it, total flush and refill). Car was much happier afterwards, but now I’ve got two very odd problems and I can’t tell if they’re transfer case related or transmission related....
1) (More Minor) - when starting out from a stop, the car sometimes likes to use 2nd gear. I’ve noticed an almost stutter step on the Tach when doing so. The car itself does not shutter or get bumpy, but as I’m accelerating, I notice the tach rising in 2nd gear and then it drops a good 500rpm or so and then builds back up and shifts to 3rd. For my manual drivers out there, it’s reminiscent of starting your car in 2nd and letting the clutch out slowly while giving it more gas than need be, and then having the RPM’s settle down and begin ascension once more after the clutch is fully released. Not a problem but def a quirk I noticed and I can hear from the exhaust note that it’s not just a jumpy tach.
2) (Seemingly Major) - this one just started happening this week. From a stop, I go to hit the gas, RPM’s rise but nothing happens.... sometimes the car feels like it’s in neutral, even actually starts rolling backwards at this time. Keep on the gas and RPM’s rise, car slowlyyyy inches forward and then all the sudden clutch seemingly disengages and it feels like doing a 1800rpm clutch drop as I’m randomly and violently jolted forward. Very uncomfortable and dangerous in traffic on my way to work. This only happens in the morning and when the car is pretty cold. Once the car is warmed up this problem goes away entirely.
Could anyone tell me if this is a transmission problem or a transfer case problem? This is my first automatic car and I’m unfamiliar with what a spent trans feels like. Could this be another symptom of the transfer case, maybe suggesting the need for replacement as opposed to just a fluid swap?
Thanks in advance,
The Kid
Quick Background; 2011 Cayenne S, owned it since the spring with 63k miles, now has about 69k, she’s my sole daily driver, mostly short trips to the office and then occasionally a 200 or so mile trip home to see the family, (adding miles very slowly and not too much hot roding).
About 3-4K miles ago I started experiencing typical transfer case problems. I brought the car into my Indy shop and I had them change all fluids (Transfer, Transmission, Drive Shaft, Coolant, Battery itself, Oil, you name it, total flush and refill). Car was much happier afterwards, but now I’ve got two very odd problems and I can’t tell if they’re transfer case related or transmission related....
1) (More Minor) - when starting out from a stop, the car sometimes likes to use 2nd gear. I’ve noticed an almost stutter step on the Tach when doing so. The car itself does not shutter or get bumpy, but as I’m accelerating, I notice the tach rising in 2nd gear and then it drops a good 500rpm or so and then builds back up and shifts to 3rd. For my manual drivers out there, it’s reminiscent of starting your car in 2nd and letting the clutch out slowly while giving it more gas than need be, and then having the RPM’s settle down and begin ascension once more after the clutch is fully released. Not a problem but def a quirk I noticed and I can hear from the exhaust note that it’s not just a jumpy tach.
2) (Seemingly Major) - this one just started happening this week. From a stop, I go to hit the gas, RPM’s rise but nothing happens.... sometimes the car feels like it’s in neutral, even actually starts rolling backwards at this time. Keep on the gas and RPM’s rise, car slowlyyyy inches forward and then all the sudden clutch seemingly disengages and it feels like doing a 1800rpm clutch drop as I’m randomly and violently jolted forward. Very uncomfortable and dangerous in traffic on my way to work. This only happens in the morning and when the car is pretty cold. Once the car is warmed up this problem goes away entirely.
Could anyone tell me if this is a transmission problem or a transfer case problem? This is my first automatic car and I’m unfamiliar with what a spent trans feels like. Could this be another symptom of the transfer case, maybe suggesting the need for replacement as opposed to just a fluid swap?
Thanks in advance,
The Kid
11-17-2018, 11:02 AM
#2
Rennlist Member
Sound like you're low on transmission fluid
Was the indy who did the work on the car a Porsche indy or just a european car mechanic. Hopefully they put in the correct fluid, but I'm thinking your issue sounds like low fluid.
doesn't sound like anything wrong with your offs, it's in the transmission.
Keep us posted.
Was the indy who did the work on the car a Porsche indy or just a european car mechanic. Hopefully they put in the correct fluid, but I'm thinking your issue sounds like low fluid.
doesn't sound like anything wrong with your offs, it's in the transmission.
Keep us posted.
Last edited by RAudi Driver; 12-12-2018 at 12:18 PM.
11-17-2018, 12:16 PM
#3
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Have to agree with RAudi Driver - does sound like transmission fluid is low.. pretty much common symptoms if it. Did the indy who did it know about filling at a certain temperature and working it through the gears to make sure the system level is correct?
11-17-2018, 01:05 PM
#4
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Thanks guys for the input, I’ll have to bring it back and see if they can check on the levels. I’m glad no one seems to be telling me the entire transmission is shot.
the Indy is a Porsche Specialist, although he does seem to specialize in 911’s mostly. He explained the process for the tranny fluid swap and mentioned getting it up to temp and working through the gears, (sounded like a PITA) perhaps they just didn’t add enough fluid. I’ll have to bring it back and request a top off. Haven’t noticed or seen any fluid under the car so I know it’s not leaking anything.
Cars pretty stationary for the next few days so I’ll have to give him a ring sometime next week. I will keep this thread updated with the results of the top off.
Thanks again fellas
the Indy is a Porsche Specialist, although he does seem to specialize in 911’s mostly. He explained the process for the tranny fluid swap and mentioned getting it up to temp and working through the gears, (sounded like a PITA) perhaps they just didn’t add enough fluid. I’ll have to bring it back and request a top off. Haven’t noticed or seen any fluid under the car so I know it’s not leaking anything.
Cars pretty stationary for the next few days so I’ll have to give him a ring sometime next week. I will keep this thread updated with the results of the top off.
Thanks again fellas
12-10-2018, 10:40 AM
#5
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Hey guys, bringing this thread back up as the problem has arguably gotten worse unfortunately.
Just this past Wednesday, I had my trans fluid added to (they said if it was off, it was by very little). While I was in there I had the TC fluid swapped once more (last done about 5k miles ago) and did the oil as well on the same interval.
The car drives a teeny bit smoother, but now it has a new quirk... On cold mornings and when the car is still pretty cold, It likes to try and start in 6th gear and bog all the way down the road. It didn’t respond to my paddle shifters or center console shifter, and it didn’t do anything when I tried pressing ‘Sport’ as well. It stayed in 6th gear regardless of throttle input until I came to a complete stop (I was trying to drive down a 30mph road at this time). As you can imagine, this is quite dangerous and embarrassing when trying to navigate a busy down town area.
This problem doesn’t really surface when it is warmer outside and/or the car itself is more warmed up.
What is my next course of action here? Should I contact Porsche and ask for reflash of the ECU? When the car is warmed up it drives perfectly fine which leads me to believe it’s not a mechanical problem. Any thoughts?
Just this past Wednesday, I had my trans fluid added to (they said if it was off, it was by very little). While I was in there I had the TC fluid swapped once more (last done about 5k miles ago) and did the oil as well on the same interval.
The car drives a teeny bit smoother, but now it has a new quirk... On cold mornings and when the car is still pretty cold, It likes to try and start in 6th gear and bog all the way down the road. It didn’t respond to my paddle shifters or center console shifter, and it didn’t do anything when I tried pressing ‘Sport’ as well. It stayed in 6th gear regardless of throttle input until I came to a complete stop (I was trying to drive down a 30mph road at this time). As you can imagine, this is quite dangerous and embarrassing when trying to navigate a busy down town area.
This problem doesn’t really surface when it is warmer outside and/or the car itself is more warmed up.
What is my next course of action here? Should I contact Porsche and ask for reflash of the ECU? When the car is warmed up it drives perfectly fine which leads me to believe it’s not a mechanical problem. Any thoughts?
12-10-2018, 11:26 AM
#6
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I doubt "Porsche" will care about what work your independent mechanic performed, other than happily pointing you to a dealer to have them diagnose and fix whatever is wrong.
12-10-2018, 02:54 PM
#7
Intermediate
Thread Starter
I guess my question was more so aimed at what type of diagnosis are they going to do if it’s not a mechanical problem that is consistent (is it even a mechanical problem?). This car is out of warranty so I’m hesitant to drop it off for god knows how many hours of ‘work’ to get to the bottom of this at a stealership. Was trying the forum to see if anyone had any thoughts or ideas.
Has anyone tried an ECU reset / reflash from the Porsche dealership? I thought I had heard of there being some updated flashes that accompanied the TC update and replacement kit.
Has anyone tried an ECU reset / reflash from the Porsche dealership? I thought I had heard of there being some updated flashes that accompanied the TC update and replacement kit.
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12-10-2018, 03:08 PM
#8
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1. Do you have a Porsche diagnostics tool?
2. What transmission fluid was used when it was changed?
3. Was the transmission filter changed at the same time? (Requires dropping the pan on the transmission and filter replacement..)
12-10-2018, 03:21 PM
#9
Race Director
I get a bit of the rev flaring and dropping back as well, but its more like 100-200rpm, not 500. Seems weird to me also, but my transmission has not yet been serviced and from what I've read, issues with these transmissions are very rare.
12-10-2018, 09:08 PM
#12
If the shop changed the transmission filter along with the fluid, I would definitely be asking them to open it back up and check to see if the filter and o-ring are seated properly. Read this thread: https://rennlist.com/forums/cayenne-...ue-help-2.html
Under light acceleration, my rpms will sometimes drop back while in gear as well. Not sure if this is the same thing that you're experiencing but I always figured it was the torque converter lockup engaging. Like a mini shift without changing gears.
12-10-2018, 11:10 PM
#13
Intermediate
Thread Starter
1 - Negative, I do not have one of those. I did have my indy run a diagnostic a little while ago when trying to figure out the transfer case and he came up with the following Fault Codes, all in the transmission category:
U012100 - Lost communication with ABS Control Module Factory Fault Code 12810
U021200 - Lost Communication with Steering Wheel Column Control Module Factory Fault Code 12812
U014600 - Lost Communication with Gateway "A" Factory Fault Code 12813
U015500 - Lost Communication with Instrument Panel Cluster Control Module Factory Code 12814
2 - Yes, Looking at the receipt, it looks like Part # 000 043 306 24 was used. When googling, that appears to be the Porsche Transmission Fluid:
https://www.porscheoftampaparts.com/...043-306-24.htm
3- Yes, Transmission Filter (Part # 958 325 435 00) was replaced, as was the Drain Plug Seal (Part # 958 321 581 00) and the Pan Gasket as well (Part # 958 321 371 00)
12-10-2018, 11:22 PM
#14
Instructor
It sounds like it's time to bite the bullet and take it in to the dealer for a diagnostic. I wouldn't dare drive the car under the conditions you've described. Starting off in 6th gear is a great way to cause all sorts of expensive problems with the transmission itself. I'm willing to bet, and sort of hopeful actually, that it's entirely electrical/programming. Perhaps a readaptation will solve the problem in its entirety. But given the cost of a new transmission, and the headache that comes with installing a used one from a totaled vehicle, the $200 diagnosis from a Porsche trained tech starts looking extremely attractive.
Also, the o-ring comment in an earlier post could cause issues if not installed properly. I've heard of the o-ring being forgotten when replacing the filter or even doubled up because when the old filter was removed, the old o-ring was accidentally left in its seat within the tranny. In this case, two o-rings sitting on top of one another wouldn't allow for a proper seal.
Also, the o-ring comment in an earlier post could cause issues if not installed properly. I've heard of the o-ring being forgotten when replacing the filter or even doubled up because when the old filter was removed, the old o-ring was accidentally left in its seat within the tranny. In this case, two o-rings sitting on top of one another wouldn't allow for a proper seal.
12-10-2018, 11:26 PM
#15
Intermediate
Thread Starter
If the shop changed the transmission filter along with the fluid, I would definitely be asking them to open it back up and check to see if the filter and o-ring are seated properly. Read this thread: https://rennlist.com/forums/cayenne-...ue-help-2.html
Under light acceleration, my rpms will sometimes drop back while in gear as well. Not sure if this is the same thing that you're experiencing but I always figured it was the torque converter lockup engaging. Like a mini shift without changing gears.
Under light acceleration, my rpms will sometimes drop back while in gear as well. Not sure if this is the same thing that you're experiencing but I always figured it was the torque converter lockup engaging. Like a mini shift without changing gears.