Facelift Gearbox malfunction... 5 days old

96cr

96cr

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Hey folks

Picked my facelift S3 up on Monday. Yesterday I turned the car on and got a warning message, something like "Gearbox malfunction. You may continue driving in D until engine off.". The car would move but hardly go anywhere, almost like it was in neutral and just rolling. Restarted and got the same thing again. Restarted for the second time and there was no warning.

Car was back driving again as normal but called roadside assistance, who sent an AA van to do a diagnostic. A code was flagged under P170100 - something like transmission control unit. They told me to take it over to the dealer this morning and they'd sort a hire car in the meantime.

Just wondering if anyone has had a similar issue at all? I had a PFL before this one so I know the car is driving as normal, but obviously, needs checked and sorted.

Hope I don't have my lovely 66 plate Astra for much longer!

Cheers
 
Yes I have had this 3 or 4 times now.

I called the dealer/emailed in case I need proof that I had contacted and I would told it was normal. Their explanation was as follows...

I use a sterring wheel lock and whilst removing it (and the engine being on) I had knocked + or - on the paddle shift and the car didnt like that...

I dont know if thats true or not but I now wait until the lock is removed before starting the car and I have t had an issue since.
 
What a load of rubbish... Pressing + or - whilst the car is N/P should do absolutely nothing. Will be interesting to see what they say to me as I don't use a lock like you. Thanks for the info.
 
I have agree with you but a quick google search brings it up a a common problem from memory.

Some issues worse than others with replacement of parts being needed
 
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Mines has done it a few times, it seems to be that it does it when start stop has kicked in, but it needs a manual restart by turning the key and I have moved the gear selector. Turn off and back on and it clears it and is fine afterwards. Will be monitoring it very closely.
 
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Are all these instances on face lift cars with the 7 speed box? My A6 has been perfect, not sure I'm doing the right thing selling it for an S3!!!


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Oh you are though!

Yes mine is FL 2017
 
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I don't think the warning is actually as it says it is though. I don't think it actually is a gearbox malfunction, something much minor somewhere software related.
 
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Thanks chaps. Will update this thread when I have any word from the dealer.
 
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Ad72 said:
Are all these instances on face lift cars with the 7 speed box? My A6 has been perfect, not sure I'm doing the right thing selling it for an S3!!!


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Click to expand...

Stop finding excuses to save money ;)
 
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I got this in the first week I had my new S3. Not sure how I got it to appear as I was parked in a car park when it flashed up.

Switched it off and on again and not seen the message since so fingers crossed it was just a blip.
 
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IMG 1740


Don't believe this, however it is what I'm told. Pretty sure I would have noticed the doors locking/unlocking as I do it. Will monitor closely.
 
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Interesting isnt it...its always user error rather than a fault!!
 
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So this doesn't happen on cars with a stop/start button only those with the standard key type ignition?


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I had a gearbox warning up within 24hrs of picking my car up. My16 S3 saloon s tronic, called out audi assist, they told me do not drive it and recovered it on the back of a covered wagon. About a week later I got my car back with a new mechatronic unit.
 
bigyin1979 said:
I had a gearbox warning up within 24hrs of picking my car up. My16 S3 saloon s tronic, called out audi assist, they told me do not drive it and recovered it on the back of a covered wagon. About a week later I got my car back with a new mechatronic unit.
Click to expand...

Wow that's bad, patient man.
 
bigyin1979 said:
I had a gearbox warning up within 24hrs of picking my car up. My16 S3 saloon s tronic, called out audi assist, they told me do not drive it and recovered it on the back of a covered wagon. About a week later I got my car back with a new mechatronic unit.
Click to expand...

Which warning though? I believe that there are two?
 
S32B said:
I'd be tempted to try it and see if it does it again!
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Tried but couldn't get it to flag the error. It's actually quite a challenge pressing the button and turning the ignition.

It happened this morning AGAIN, but I was too half asleep and thinking about other things to be certain I never pressed unlock (I'm 99.99999% certain I don't press the button when I turn the car on). Need to try and catch it next time and the car will be going straight back for a second 'fix'.
 
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96cr said:
Tried but couldn't get it to flag the error. It's actually quite a challenge pressing the button and turning the ignition.

It happened this morning AGAIN, but I was too half asleep and thinking about other things to be certain I never pressed unlock (I'm 99.99999% certain I don't press the button when I turn the car on). Need to try and catch it next time and the car will be going straight back for a second 'fix'.
Click to expand...

Id still let Audi know its happened again. Then if it happens a third time tell them you want it sorting.
 
96cr said:
Tried but couldn't get it to flag the error. It's actually quite a challenge pressing the button and turning the ignition.

It happened this morning AGAIN, but I was too half asleep and thinking about other things to be certain I never pressed unlock (I'm 99.99999% certain I don't press the button when I turn the car on). Need to try and catch it next time and the car will be going straight back for a second 'fix'.
Click to expand...

BowkA86 said:
Id still let Audi know its happened again. Then if it happens a third time tell them you want it sorting.
Click to expand...

I'd also let Audi UK know, I did when I had a paint fault. I didn't get it fixed as they were only going to do a local repair on the bumper rather than a full respray of the bumper. I figured I'd notice the local repair more than the blemish that's there now! But anyway, by logging it with Audi UK if I decide to get it done in the future even out of warranty they will do it ;)

I have found Audi UK very helpful with sorting things out....As an example: http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/result-plus-some.244818/ :) pics down the thread as well :)
 
S32B said:
I'd also let Audi UK know, I did when I had a paint fault. I didn't get it fixed as they were only going to do a local repair on the bumper rather than a full respray of the bumper. I figured I'd notice the local repair more than the blemish that's there now! But anyway, by logging it with Audi UK if I decide to get it done in the future even out of warranty they will do it ;)

I have found Audi UK very helpful with sorting things out....As an example: http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/result-plus-some.244818/ :) pics down the thread as well :)
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. Can't believe you got an R8 for the day?!

My car is booked in again for Tuesday, so hopefully they will be able to find the fault. Otherwise I may have to follow a similar route to you. :calm:
 
Picking up an old thread..how did the investigation go? Mine has just done this three start ups on the go..

A new word 'safe' has suddenly appeared, havent seen that before but the car wouldnt move. I had to turn it off and back on...maybe time to contact Audi but fear they will fob off as they wont be able to replicate..
 

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I guess quality German engineering is a thing of the past
 
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OST said:
Picking up an old thread..how did the investigation go? Mine has just done this three start ups on the go..

A new word 'safe' has suddenly appeared, havent seen that before but the car wouldnt move. I had to turn it off and back on...maybe time to contact Audi but fear they will fob off as they wont be able to replicate..
Click to expand...
Interesting. Mine spent all of last week in the garage – I had the drive system fault like you and the car cut out so it went straight in. They turned the car on and off at various points during the day for the whole week, replicating my process of opening the boot to put a bag in before driving, and were never able to bring up the fault. Obviously the code was logged, but they wanted to have the diagnostics plugged in as the fault appeared to monitor the various control systems at that moment. They passed on to Audi UK who said the only time they've seen this is due to the key issue as mentioned above.

Audi UK gave direction to try the spare key for a week, followed by the normal key again for a week. The case is still open. I've had it back a week now and never had the issue with the spare key, so I'll be switching back now and seeing how the next week goes.

I'd definitely get it in there. Can almost guarantee they will struggle to replicate the issue but it would be of interest to see how they handle your one.
 
96cr said:
Interesting. Mine spent all of last week in the garage – I had the drive system fault like you and the car cut out so it went straight in. They turned the car on and off at various points during the day for the whole week, replicating my process of opening the boot to put a bag in before driving, and were never able to bring up the fault. Obviously the code was logged, but they wanted to have the diagnostics plugged in as the fault appeared to monitor the various control systems at that moment. They passed on to Audi UK who said the only time they've seen this is due to the key issue as mentioned above.

Audi UK gave direction to try the spare key for a week, followed by the normal key again for a week. The case is still open. I've had it back a week now and never had the issue with the spare key, so I'll be switching back now and seeing how the next week goes.

I'd definitely get it in there. Can almost guarantee they will struggle to replicate the issue but it would be of interest to see how they handle your one.
Click to expand...

Great!

Did they provide you a courtesy car?

Ill speak to them today
 
I'm having the same issue with the gearbox malfunction message as I was driving home and I did almost 35 KM while the message was on and I turned my car on today it wasn't there but it came on again so I'm taking it to the dealership tomorrow
 
M7MD said:
I'm having the same issue with the gearbox malfunction message as I was driving home and I did almost 35 KM while the message was on and I turned my car on today it wasn't there but it came on again so I'm taking it to the dealership tomorrow
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I wouldnt waste your time. Turning the car off and on solves the problem, Audi will say they have investigated it but sadly they wont, they have no idea.
 
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