CVT hesitation, A4, 2004
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Newcomer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
CVT hesitation, A4, 2004
Hi Audi Fans!
Im having problem with my CVT.
Some 10 months ago it started to hesitate (jerking) while accelerating and at around 1800 RPMs only. It feels very much like trying to accelerate rapidly with traditional gear transmission in high gear and very low rpms - it feels for a couple of seconds like and engine is about to stall.
Rapid acceleration shortens duration of symptoms. Also initially the problem did not appear on cold transmission. Gradually it took less and less driving time for this problem to show. Several months ago I had transmission oil replaced and that helped a lot (not quite 100%) and for a couple of months only. Now problem is there with cold engine too, unless outside temperature is very low.
I started to use manual shift which helps if I change "gears" at higher then 1800 rpms.
Audi service told me there are no fault codes stored in the transmission control computer so they cant help.
I hope someone has some insights into this unfortunate Audi transmission.
Im having problem with my CVT.
Some 10 months ago it started to hesitate (jerking) while accelerating and at around 1800 RPMs only. It feels very much like trying to accelerate rapidly with traditional gear transmission in high gear and very low rpms - it feels for a couple of seconds like and engine is about to stall.
Rapid acceleration shortens duration of symptoms. Also initially the problem did not appear on cold transmission. Gradually it took less and less driving time for this problem to show. Several months ago I had transmission oil replaced and that helped a lot (not quite 100%) and for a couple of months only. Now problem is there with cold engine too, unless outside temperature is very low.
I started to use manual shift which helps if I change "gears" at higher then 1800 rpms.
Audi service told me there are no fault codes stored in the transmission control computer so they cant help.
I hope someone has some insights into this unfortunate Audi transmission.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,066
Likes: 37
From: Fort Worth, Tx
Interesting that the dealer said there was nothing to do if there were no codes. From what I have read, codes don't reflect any mechanical issues with the CVTs. Anyway, from what I have read, you are looking at a new tranny, but I have no direct experience with the CVT. the CVT has a very bad reputation for failing in the 75K range.
As an obtw, it slays me that Audi chose to make the CVT feel like a standard automatic by "shifting" and also allowing the driver the option to slap shift it. It does nothing but cut the gas momentarily giving the driver the sense that it is shifting. My theory is this is why the CVTs fail becuase they are not designed to take these albeit mild load changes, but that's my engineering mind musing and I have no proof of it
As an obtw, it slays me that Audi chose to make the CVT feel like a standard automatic by "shifting" and also allowing the driver the option to slap shift it. It does nothing but cut the gas momentarily giving the driver the sense that it is shifting. My theory is this is why the CVTs fail becuase they are not designed to take these albeit mild load changes, but that's my engineering mind musing and I have no proof of it
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Newcomer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I appreciate your reply. My gut feeling tells me transmission will eventually give up. And second feeling - Audi knows more than they are willing to admit. And that is disappointing with a make that seems to be proud of their engineering progress. As usual - bottom line first.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
