TPMS + Gearbox Malfunction (No Reverse, Continue Driving) Error: Mechatronic Unit
02-15-2019, 11:58 PM
#21
AudiWorld Junior Member
Class Action on the Mechatronics
My sister had this happen on her S5, and I'm worried about my new E6 even though it only has 700 miles. It seems inevitable and there is a group doing a class action suit. I believe if you simply just Google class action lawsuits and the transmission. Uts a combination of metal shavings not being able to be filtered out, along with electrical failure, along with the location of the unit being heated based on the location on the trans. I have spoken with multiple mastertechs and all of them keep saying Audi should recall it. A local Audi service and high performance shop in Los Angeles has a 2017 R8 V10 and with only 7K on it, will now only go in reverse! They have joined a lawsuit. They can of course fix it but feel 7K is way too soon, and of course it is. I hoped the DDG's would have been improved since my sisters 2012 S5 But it appears they are still doing this, and it's very sad because otherwise the 2018 S6 is a great car all around. Fingers crossed this doesn't happen.
04-10-2019, 04:45 PM
#22
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2014 Audi s5
I know the mechatronic unit has been an issue and cause lots of people pain. Just two days ago i got the dreaded message. Heres the story/cost of repair.
Audi 2010 Prestige
Meteor Gray Pearl
62000 miles
Drove home from work no problem - i have just recently replaced the spark plugs with Denso IK16 Iridium Spark plugs and put on some new Continential Extreme Contact DWS XL tires on - the car had been driving fantastic. Better than its ever ran since i got the car a little over a year ago with 38k miles.
So i went outside to move the car to the street so i could mow the grass and had no problem. Two hours later i get in to go to the store and as soon as i shift into D, the TPMS and Gearbox Malfunction light flash up telling me i have no reverse and im still good to drive. So i decide to drive down the streen and see what the issue is. As soon as the car went to shift from 1st to 2nd it skipped, revved in Nuetral for about 2 seconds then dropped hard into 3rd gear. This scared the crap out of me so needless to say i went right back home and started researching what the hell this error meant. After reaseaching i found a lot of answers and a lot of pissed people saying the mechatronic unit was bad. So after a night of sweating bullets researching i came to the conclusion that 3 things could have happened.
1. The error threw for some weird electrical reason and would reset and not be a problem the next day
2. The mechatronic unit was shot and i could expect to spend 3-4k to fix it (no longer under warrenty)
3. The transmission is bad - im toast
The next morning i went to drive the car and test option 1. Got in and drove around the neighborhood with no problem - no error message, no faulty shifting, no jerking or anything. So i decided to run to the stor about 4 miles away and see how it help up. I made it to the store and halfway back before BOOM - it happened again. I will say i was taking it extremely easy all the way until the second i punched it (just to test how it was really working). As soon as i went for a hard acceleration, the gear just slipped out and revved in nuetral. Pulled into a parking lot to turn around and didnt give myself enough room - went for reverse - NONE. Had to get out of my car, put it in Nuetral and push it backwards. I was able to limp my way but as i did i noticed a trend on the way the car performed
1. Car will start in 1st gear fine
2. went shifting into 2nd it slips into nuetral for about 2-3sec then drops abruptly into 3rd
3. When you have enough speed it does the same thing trying to shift into 4th - skips and drops into 5th
4. Same thing into 6th - slips out of 5th and drops hard into 7th.
5. Slowing down was not a hige problem as long as you have plenty of room to take it easy. If you slowed to fast the gears wouldnt keep up and it would jerk very hard.
Called my local audi dealership and scheduled the first available service which was in 2 days at 8am. At this point i was thinking i could either tow the car or try to wait a day and see if i could get it there driving very slow and easy. I went with option 2. The next night i got in the car to test and see if had gone back to working order - it had. So i got about 3/4 of the way there before BAM slipped right out again. Managed to limp it the last 3 miles or so.
Diagnosis - Audi called me this morning saying the issue could be an electrical problem, coolant issue, or a software issue and not to worry too much yet (BULL S***). Sure enough, an hour later they called and say... you guessed it, Mechatronic unit is toast. HOWEVER, instead of a brand new unit (3-4k) they informed me a few months back Audi came out with a Mechatronic replacement kit which is much cheaper and easier to install.
End all be all - $1500 for a new Mechatronic Kit and the ~5hours of labor they estimate. Also the repair is only going to take 2-3 days. I had took my car in this morning (Thursday) and they expect to have the new parts in tomorrow (Friday) and completely done and ready to go Monday. All in all this is still bull s*** that a $60k car with 60k miles has a faulty part this promenent and they havent recalled the part. I will say i am WAY WAY more willing to pay the $1500 over 4k. Im hoping to get it back Monday and not have to drop another dime into broken parts for a long, long time.
If anyone wlse has had this problem and knows of a way to save money through AoA or anything else - im open to suggestions. Good luck to all you fellow S4 drivers
Audi 2010 Prestige
Meteor Gray Pearl
62000 miles
Drove home from work no problem - i have just recently replaced the spark plugs with Denso IK16 Iridium Spark plugs and put on some new Continential Extreme Contact DWS XL tires on - the car had been driving fantastic. Better than its ever ran since i got the car a little over a year ago with 38k miles.
So i went outside to move the car to the street so i could mow the grass and had no problem. Two hours later i get in to go to the store and as soon as i shift into D, the TPMS and Gearbox Malfunction light flash up telling me i have no reverse and im still good to drive. So i decide to drive down the streen and see what the issue is. As soon as the car went to shift from 1st to 2nd it skipped, revved in Nuetral for about 2 seconds then dropped hard into 3rd gear. This scared the crap out of me so needless to say i went right back home and started researching what the hell this error meant. After reaseaching i found a lot of answers and a lot of pissed people saying the mechatronic unit was bad. So after a night of sweating bullets researching i came to the conclusion that 3 things could have happened.
1. The error threw for some weird electrical reason and would reset and not be a problem the next day
2. The mechatronic unit was shot and i could expect to spend 3-4k to fix it (no longer under warrenty)
3. The transmission is bad - im toast
The next morning i went to drive the car and test option 1. Got in and drove around the neighborhood with no problem - no error message, no faulty shifting, no jerking or anything. So i decided to run to the stor about 4 miles away and see how it help up. I made it to the store and halfway back before BOOM - it happened again. I will say i was taking it extremely easy all the way until the second i punched it (just to test how it was really working). As soon as i went for a hard acceleration, the gear just slipped out and revved in nuetral. Pulled into a parking lot to turn around and didnt give myself enough room - went for reverse - NONE. Had to get out of my car, put it in Nuetral and push it backwards. I was able to limp my way but as i did i noticed a trend on the way the car performed
1. Car will start in 1st gear fine
2. went shifting into 2nd it slips into nuetral for about 2-3sec then drops abruptly into 3rd
3. When you have enough speed it does the same thing trying to shift into 4th - skips and drops into 5th
4. Same thing into 6th - slips out of 5th and drops hard into 7th.
5. Slowing down was not a hige problem as long as you have plenty of room to take it easy. If you slowed to fast the gears wouldnt keep up and it would jerk very hard.
Called my local audi dealership and scheduled the first available service which was in 2 days at 8am. At this point i was thinking i could either tow the car or try to wait a day and see if i could get it there driving very slow and easy. I went with option 2. The next night i got in the car to test and see if had gone back to working order - it had. So i got about 3/4 of the way there before BAM slipped right out again. Managed to limp it the last 3 miles or so.
Diagnosis - Audi called me this morning saying the issue could be an electrical problem, coolant issue, or a software issue and not to worry too much yet (BULL S***). Sure enough, an hour later they called and say... you guessed it, Mechatronic unit is toast. HOWEVER, instead of a brand new unit (3-4k) they informed me a few months back Audi came out with a Mechatronic replacement kit which is much cheaper and easier to install.
End all be all - $1500 for a new Mechatronic Kit and the ~5hours of labor they estimate. Also the repair is only going to take 2-3 days. I had took my car in this morning (Thursday) and they expect to have the new parts in tomorrow (Friday) and completely done and ready to go Monday. All in all this is still bull s*** that a $60k car with 60k miles has a faulty part this promenent and they havent recalled the part. I will say i am WAY WAY more willing to pay the $1500 over 4k. Im hoping to get it back Monday and not have to drop another dime into broken parts for a long, long time.
If anyone wlse has had this problem and knows of a way to save money through AoA or anything else - im open to suggestions. Good luck to all you fellow S4 drivers
04-11-2019, 01:02 AM
#23
AudiWorld Junior Member
This is really sad about the mechatronic there must be some sort of class action lawsuit, otherwise can't see any resolution. It is just happening way too often. The fact that it has been since 2010 and I have to worry about my 2018 S6 DSG 7-speed having the same issue is rediculous. It may seem like a joke, but almost every time I'm backing out of a spot and hit reverse and back to drive, it crosses my mind. Especially since my S4 had this issue and went through all of this before. I'm sorry you had to deal with this, and even though they have a repair kit now, it should be covered and the whole DSG should be recalled, and fixed. I would love to get a figure on how many of these needed to be replaced. The fact that ECS sells the repair kit on their site speaks volumes. If I would have known that the C7 S6 still had the same issues I may have foregone the vehicle completely, as much as I do love everything else about the S6.
I feel like it's just inevitable at this point. I just hope it happens within the vehicles. I don't know who to talk to, or what to do, but its unacceptable, and this story is just far too common. Same thing, popping out of gear, limp mode, skipping gears, only going in reverse, in some cases only 5K on the odometer or less. Going from Audi, to BMW and now back to Audi, it's making me second guess my decision on the return to the Ingolstadt company. I know it's a localized issue on the DSG only, and the rest of the vehicle is amazing, but let's be honest, the transmission is VERY important. Thank you for sharing your experience. Its eerily similar to my long sold 2010 S4 Cabrio and daily fearing the new S6 as mentioned. I have a JB4 tune on it, and love the motor. Plus the interior and build quality of the rest is top notch. How could they fail so miserably with this mechatronic unit on the dsg? This car is upwards of 80K and I've heard of many having the same issue. If something happens I think I will have to get my lawyer involved. I'm only one person but it must start somewhere.
I feel like it's just inevitable at this point. I just hope it happens within the vehicles. I don't know who to talk to, or what to do, but its unacceptable, and this story is just far too common. Same thing, popping out of gear, limp mode, skipping gears, only going in reverse, in some cases only 5K on the odometer or less. Going from Audi, to BMW and now back to Audi, it's making me second guess my decision on the return to the Ingolstadt company. I know it's a localized issue on the DSG only, and the rest of the vehicle is amazing, but let's be honest, the transmission is VERY important. Thank you for sharing your experience. Its eerily similar to my long sold 2010 S4 Cabrio and daily fearing the new S6 as mentioned. I have a JB4 tune on it, and love the motor. Plus the interior and build quality of the rest is top notch. How could they fail so miserably with this mechatronic unit on the dsg? This car is upwards of 80K and I've heard of many having the same issue. If something happens I think I will have to get my lawyer involved. I'm only one person but it must start somewhere.
Last edited by Audifan1021; 04-11-2019 at 01:09 AM.
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Jbcmfgimp (02-21-2022)
05-19-2019, 09:11 PM
#24
I agree, this car is awesome..... except for this transmission. I just test drive a new S6 which I was thinking of buying. When I got into my 2012 S4 to go home and merged on the highway, it clunked in 5th when I got off the gas. Then later it hung in 4th or 5th gear. I saw one of the class action describe the issues this way. That's exactly the way I'd describe it...
Sudden shaking and violent “juddering,” hesitation from the car when pressing the gas pedal, a “surge” forward that feels like the car has been rear-ended, and hard downshifting or clunking when slowing down or driving at slow speeds.
I'm kinda annoyed because I'd love to keep this car. 92k, high test gas, synthetic, cared for by me from mile 100. But......... that transmission, I live in fear it will just die.
This car is also hard to sell. It drives great except for the transmission. And anyone who drives it and looks at the records will see 5-7 visits to the shop about....."Sudden shaking and violent “juddering,” hesitation from the car when pressing the gas pedal, a “surge” forward that feels like the car has been rear-ended, and hard downshifting or clunking when slowing down or driving at slow speeds."
Sigh, 4th Audi and 2nd one to end sadly. B6S4 timing chain at 101k forced me to trade in the last one.
Sudden shaking and violent “juddering,” hesitation from the car when pressing the gas pedal, a “surge” forward that feels like the car has been rear-ended, and hard downshifting or clunking when slowing down or driving at slow speeds.
I'm kinda annoyed because I'd love to keep this car. 92k, high test gas, synthetic, cared for by me from mile 100. But......... that transmission, I live in fear it will just die.
This car is also hard to sell. It drives great except for the transmission. And anyone who drives it and looks at the records will see 5-7 visits to the shop about....."Sudden shaking and violent “juddering,” hesitation from the car when pressing the gas pedal, a “surge” forward that feels like the car has been rear-ended, and hard downshifting or clunking when slowing down or driving at slow speeds."
Sigh, 4th Audi and 2nd one to end sadly. B6S4 timing chain at 101k forced me to trade in the last one.
05-17-2020, 06:15 AM
#25
2014 A3 1.4 (DSG) - Gearbox Malfunction No reverse Gear Message.
Hi All,
Guess am the recent victim of the same problem though am really hoping it is something minor. Just like you all, I was surprised the other day when trying to start my car with the famous and scary ''Gearbox Malfunction, No reverse gear but you can continue driving message''? The Gearbox has never had any Issue before and the Car has only 84000 km on the clock.
The difference with my case is that I can't even start the car, hence something is stopping the car from starting despite the Battery being full. 2 months ago my Boot stoped opening. I left it till after the Lock down with this happening to me now?
I am wondering if the one thing has something to do with the other. Reading through some your posts, some pinpointed their problem to wiring? Could this be the case with mine? Or is this the Mechatronic. The issue is that taking the car to the dealer is unfortunately not my best option. I don't trust them and I suspect they wouldn't necessarily have my interest at heart and rather blame it to the Mechatronic with a hefty a hefty bill as it is in their interest to charge more than rather less especially in times like this.
What do you guys thing I should be doing first and how to pinpoint the issue forehand before I take it to the dealer.
My Maintenance Plan unfortunately expired in Nov. 2019 and any repair will be for my account.
I would appreciate your advise
Thx
Guess am the recent victim of the same problem though am really hoping it is something minor. Just like you all, I was surprised the other day when trying to start my car with the famous and scary ''Gearbox Malfunction, No reverse gear but you can continue driving message''? The Gearbox has never had any Issue before and the Car has only 84000 km on the clock.
The difference with my case is that I can't even start the car, hence something is stopping the car from starting despite the Battery being full. 2 months ago my Boot stoped opening. I left it till after the Lock down with this happening to me now?
I am wondering if the one thing has something to do with the other. Reading through some your posts, some pinpointed their problem to wiring? Could this be the case with mine? Or is this the Mechatronic. The issue is that taking the car to the dealer is unfortunately not my best option. I don't trust them and I suspect they wouldn't necessarily have my interest at heart and rather blame it to the Mechatronic with a hefty a hefty bill as it is in their interest to charge more than rather less especially in times like this.
What do you guys thing I should be doing first and how to pinpoint the issue forehand before I take it to the dealer.
My Maintenance Plan unfortunately expired in Nov. 2019 and any repair will be for my account.
I would appreciate your advise
Thx
05-17-2020, 07:51 AM
#26
AudiWorld Super User
^^
The problem with this thread is that it is discussing several completely different transmissions, as if there is some commonality between them. There isn't, and your (MQB platform) A3 will be using a DQ series S tronic (which is the Volkswagen DSG dual sequential transmission) which is quite different from that used in the B8 S4 models - and this is the B8 S4 forum.
You may try again in the A3 forum, although I am not certain there will be many owners of that particular model there as most posters are in North America, which IIRC did not get that version. However, your transmission should be a DQ400 (PR code 0DD), which will have been used in most markets, whether in an Audi or a Volkswagen / Skoda / SEAT.
I think you are wise to avoid a dealer in this situation, and would be better searching out a reputable transmission specialist. Speak to at least a couple. Your description of failure to get reverse, followed by the car not starting sounds typical of a transmission problem, rather than simply an electrical fault. As this engine / transmission combination was widely fitted to the Golf, there should be plenty of experience out there as many will be experienced working on this transmission. Not listing your location will make it impossible for anyone to recommend someone "local". Although as you have a boot and travel in km, it must be Australia or NZ 😁
The problem with this thread is that it is discussing several completely different transmissions, as if there is some commonality between them. There isn't, and your (MQB platform) A3 will be using a DQ series S tronic (which is the Volkswagen DSG dual sequential transmission) which is quite different from that used in the B8 S4 models - and this is the B8 S4 forum.
You may try again in the A3 forum, although I am not certain there will be many owners of that particular model there as most posters are in North America, which IIRC did not get that version. However, your transmission should be a DQ400 (PR code 0DD), which will have been used in most markets, whether in an Audi or a Volkswagen / Skoda / SEAT.
I think you are wise to avoid a dealer in this situation, and would be better searching out a reputable transmission specialist. Speak to at least a couple. Your description of failure to get reverse, followed by the car not starting sounds typical of a transmission problem, rather than simply an electrical fault. As this engine / transmission combination was widely fitted to the Golf, there should be plenty of experience out there as many will be experienced working on this transmission. Not listing your location will make it impossible for anyone to recommend someone "local". Although as you have a boot and travel in km, it must be Australia or NZ 😁
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Tim_CT (05-18-2020)
05-18-2020, 05:41 PM
#28
AudiWorld Super User
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Tim_CT (05-23-2020)
08-15-2020, 08:24 AM
#29
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S4 2011 mechatronic nightmare.....
Hello all,
I currently have my S4 at the Audi dealer for repair, the mechatronic like many of you.
It started a Tuesday , small jerking, Wednesday got worst and finally the Thursday not drivable. Got the TPMS typical message, can drive but no reverse, 1st 2nd and 3rd gear were kicking so bad but not the other ones. In manual mode it was drivable like almost normal.Made some phone call ( my prefer mechanic was on vacation ) no ones wanted to touch the car. I called the nearest Audi dealer, explain to him and brought the car that Thursday night and gave me a loaner. The next Monday they call me and told they need to change the Mechatronic unit. ( Meanwhile i did an extensive research on the subject ) I told the dealer there is a replacement kit for the mechatronic,( see part code in attachment ) i gave them the part code and i sent him the installation procedure( see attachment ). He got back to me in a few hours saying their mechanic doesn't believe it will solve my issue since i had more faulty codes coming out the computer. I told him to give me a day or two so i would have time to find out if another shop could do the repair or have a good used part.
Found nothing, so i followed their advise to change the mechatronic unit. They got the part the Thursday and start working on it. The advisor call me saying to complete the installation and programmation the EPB ( electric parking break) need to work. The rear right one stopped working, i have a use part that i bought in the truck which i was planning to install that weekend. Told them to look in the trunk and please them self by install it. Why the EPB need to work to close the repair of the mechatronic ??I'm still asking myself that question. They called me Friday at noon all was fix. I went to get the car around 17:00, service was close so i paid at the reception and left with the car. I drove slowly to feel the car for any kicking or jerking, seems OK. Drove trough 3 red lights but at the fourth one start jerking again on the down shift. ''Damn, not again !!! I continue just in case and it got worst and worst. Worst enough that my chest was hitting the steering wheel on down shift at first gear. I got so nervous at that point, called the dealer that i was coming back with my car. They lend me back the loaner and i will ear back my advisor Monday am.
I went to the dealer Monday am, he said they will look at this again and will call me back. He called me the Wednesday that they open a ticket with Audi saying they don't know what to do!!!. He called me back late the same day, Audi saying the new mechatronic unit with an oil change to the transmission ( that was requested by the dealer that i would have to change the oil ) probably did some damage to the transmission and now i need to change it ( $ 14000.00 - $ 15 000.00 ) They also want to see the recipe of my last motor oil change !!!! I asked my advisor why, he said Audi wants probably do a deal with me by paying half of the transmission or part of labor cost......
ALL THIS SMELLS FISHY. i did supply the recipe, on it it is written the correct oil type, the correct filter , i am within 12000 Km oil change recommandation.
So at this moment i am waiting for Audi to get back to me.
Repair cost with labor: $ 4500.00 cad.
204000 km cliks on it
I will see what they will have to say. One thing for sure, i followed all their repair recommandation so to me they are the ones who will need to come up with a solution. I need to hold one , the journey is only beginning.
I will post later the development.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...it/0b5398009f/
https://workshop-manuals.com/audi/a5...h_gearboxj743/
I currently have my S4 at the Audi dealer for repair, the mechatronic like many of you.
It started a Tuesday , small jerking, Wednesday got worst and finally the Thursday not drivable. Got the TPMS typical message, can drive but no reverse, 1st 2nd and 3rd gear were kicking so bad but not the other ones. In manual mode it was drivable like almost normal.Made some phone call ( my prefer mechanic was on vacation ) no ones wanted to touch the car. I called the nearest Audi dealer, explain to him and brought the car that Thursday night and gave me a loaner. The next Monday they call me and told they need to change the Mechatronic unit. ( Meanwhile i did an extensive research on the subject ) I told the dealer there is a replacement kit for the mechatronic,( see part code in attachment ) i gave them the part code and i sent him the installation procedure( see attachment ). He got back to me in a few hours saying their mechanic doesn't believe it will solve my issue since i had more faulty codes coming out the computer. I told him to give me a day or two so i would have time to find out if another shop could do the repair or have a good used part.
Found nothing, so i followed their advise to change the mechatronic unit. They got the part the Thursday and start working on it. The advisor call me saying to complete the installation and programmation the EPB ( electric parking break) need to work. The rear right one stopped working, i have a use part that i bought in the truck which i was planning to install that weekend. Told them to look in the trunk and please them self by install it. Why the EPB need to work to close the repair of the mechatronic ??I'm still asking myself that question. They called me Friday at noon all was fix. I went to get the car around 17:00, service was close so i paid at the reception and left with the car. I drove slowly to feel the car for any kicking or jerking, seems OK. Drove trough 3 red lights but at the fourth one start jerking again on the down shift. ''Damn, not again !!! I continue just in case and it got worst and worst. Worst enough that my chest was hitting the steering wheel on down shift at first gear. I got so nervous at that point, called the dealer that i was coming back with my car. They lend me back the loaner and i will ear back my advisor Monday am.
I went to the dealer Monday am, he said they will look at this again and will call me back. He called me the Wednesday that they open a ticket with Audi saying they don't know what to do!!!. He called me back late the same day, Audi saying the new mechatronic unit with an oil change to the transmission ( that was requested by the dealer that i would have to change the oil ) probably did some damage to the transmission and now i need to change it ( $ 14000.00 - $ 15 000.00 ) They also want to see the recipe of my last motor oil change !!!! I asked my advisor why, he said Audi wants probably do a deal with me by paying half of the transmission or part of labor cost......
ALL THIS SMELLS FISHY. i did supply the recipe, on it it is written the correct oil type, the correct filter , i am within 12000 Km oil change recommandation.
So at this moment i am waiting for Audi to get back to me.
Repair cost with labor: $ 4500.00 cad.
204000 km cliks on it
I will see what they will have to say. One thing for sure, i followed all their repair recommandation so to me they are the ones who will need to come up with a solution. I need to hold one , the journey is only beginning.
I will post later the development.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...it/0b5398009f/
https://workshop-manuals.com/audi/a5...h_gearboxj743/
