JAGMAJ

I just bought a 2003 A6 and I've been having a problem with the automatic transmission. Occasionally, when I put in in drive and start to go, it doesn't want to shift out of 1st gear. If I stop and shift into neutral and then back to drive, the problem usually clears up right away. Is this a common problem and is it a problem with the transmission itself or with the shifter?

WaggsA6

The tiptronic transmissions on these cars will hold 1st gear longer after first starting the car (especially when cold outside). It is the normal operation of the transmission.

But, if it is not shifting at all then you should probably get it looked at.

JAGMAJ

It wasn't shifting even as the tach started getting into the red zone. I didn't push it any further. How much longer does the transmission normally hold 1st gear when it's cold?

It was cold outside all of the times it happened and the engine was not really warmed up. Maybe the computer is just holding it longer than it should. Do you know if it can be manually shifted around this?

Egil A64.2s - S6

Is it possible the previous owner did a chip mod on the transmission?

JAGMAJ

I don't see any evidence of any mods. I suspect that it is something with the computer program for cold weather since it's only happened on cold days when the engine isn't warmed up fully yet. It goes away when the engine gets warm. Being new to Audis, though, I don't know what normal is. The fact that it won't shift at all when cold, however, doesn't seem normal.

WaggsA6

Normally mine will hold 1st until about 3000-3500 rpm for the first shift into 2nd when cold and then reverts back to normal operation.

You can try using the tip shift gate to make it shift out of first when you want it to, but from the sound of it you most likely have something wrong and should probably take it to be looked at.