Been a while since I posted but the dreaded PRNDS had been flashing at me again, ******!
Even after fitting a new selector and seeing only two years of use, it's broken again.
Nothing wrong with the DSG gearbox, car still drove and shifted fine with VCDS throwing a P0820 selector x y position sensor error.
Warranty on the part was 2 years and it busted again right on the mark, such bad luck with this car.
I first wanted to make sure that it was indeed the selector so had Nigel (NHN) to come out and do an investigation on it.
Plan was to hot plug a 2nd hand shifter and see if it went away.
2nd hand unit found and purchased by Nigel, longer loom frankensteined on it and he arrived early ready to test.
A bit of faffing around with the trim plugged the other unit in and indeed it was the selector. No flashing PRNDS.
Was then I had to make a decision on how to progress.
After a month of trying to get it done on warranty, nope.
Quotes from other mechanics to fit a new selector again @ £1000+, nope.
I decided to have Nigel come back and fit the 2nd hand selector in.
Nigel is one busy guy and hard to get some time on, especially with the time it takes to change selector.
I finally get him booked in, parts in hand and ready to go.
All I can say is that he did a fantastic job. A few of other things done while we were at it with the highlights below.
Alternator changed to fix a charging issue. Nigel somehow got the thing out and back in without going to the carrier service position.
I think he must have previously been a contortionist in a past life.
Fix the dodgy mounting on the SAI pump with new mounts. I had previously been kept on by a multitude of cable ties.
Thank god it still worked, stupid expensive to get a new replacement for essentially a plastic air pump.
Full service done, oil and filters, air filter, pollen filter, check over the sparks, coil packs etc.
Found an oil leak on Cyl. 5 spark plug gasket on the rocker cover. I didn't have enough funds to go down that rabbit hole, and the leak was bearable.
Decided to just get it cleaned up and let it roll until I get some more funds. Will have to monitor it.
Selector swapped over with the selector mod installed.
This one was a real pain, everything has to come out from under when doing this. Exhaust, propshaft, heat shields have to be removed so not the best job to do under the car on jack stands. Nigel did a great job, very careful with the exhaust and prop whilst persevering through the hot day. Not to mention wrestling with the many nuts and bolts holding on after many years.
I also now know how damn loud the VR6 sounds without an exhaust, ridiculous and reminded me of being at a drag strip. Could hear it from my backyard on the other side of the house. Loved the tone though something primal about it. The resonated exhaust does wonders in keeping it sane.
The 2nd hand shifter was not a 100% swap so Nigel practically rebuilt a new one from both units, ask him for details but I think he now knows how to pull them apart and put them together quite well. He spent a bit of time adjusting a roller and a metal piece holding it, persevered and finally got it working. No service manual for these selectors as the stupid things are a whole part on Audi's books. It was a case of a lot of figuring out by Nigel when making one out of two.
Located an issue on the PCB of the busted one, two of the SMD components clearly blown. Either that was the cause or the infamous P microswitch, who knows?
All that matters is that in the end it was all sorted, no flashing lights anymore and once again I don't have to count gears in my head.
Last but not least a DSG filter and oil change as I was nearing the 20K mark since last done.
Could have gotten away with just the oil according to Audi but for the price of the filters, may as well get it done as well every time.
Showed me how to get the car up and safely on jack stands as there was some participation involved in getting the Haldex oil in.
Makes me wish I had the space for a lift.
Car now ready just in time for the MOT.
Immense thanks to Nigel @NHN. Hard to get hold of but does a fantastic and thorough job.
Extremely helpful, answers your questions and talks you through the issue with what has to be done.
IMO way better than an Audi tech as well as being a to your door service.
Had a 2hrs drive from his to mine as well.
Definitely recommend him to anyone looking to get an issue fixed or a mod done. He is busy but I think well worth it.
Car fund now at £0 again and I still have to pay for MOT and insurance, fun times.
At least it's all working now and should MOT without any issues.
Some people may say sell it but I have grown attached to this car, a pain in the wallet but love it to bits.
Even after fitting a new selector and seeing only two years of use, it's broken again.
Nothing wrong with the DSG gearbox, car still drove and shifted fine with VCDS throwing a P0820 selector x y position sensor error.
Warranty on the part was 2 years and it busted again right on the mark, such bad luck with this car.
I first wanted to make sure that it was indeed the selector so had Nigel (NHN) to come out and do an investigation on it.
Plan was to hot plug a 2nd hand shifter and see if it went away.
2nd hand unit found and purchased by Nigel, longer loom frankensteined on it and he arrived early ready to test.
A bit of faffing around with the trim plugged the other unit in and indeed it was the selector. No flashing PRNDS.
Was then I had to make a decision on how to progress.
After a month of trying to get it done on warranty, nope.
Quotes from other mechanics to fit a new selector again @ £1000+, nope.
I decided to have Nigel come back and fit the 2nd hand selector in.
Nigel is one busy guy and hard to get some time on, especially with the time it takes to change selector.
I finally get him booked in, parts in hand and ready to go.
All I can say is that he did a fantastic job. A few of other things done while we were at it with the highlights below.
Alternator changed to fix a charging issue. Nigel somehow got the thing out and back in without going to the carrier service position.
I think he must have previously been a contortionist in a past life.
Fix the dodgy mounting on the SAI pump with new mounts. I had previously been kept on by a multitude of cable ties.
Thank god it still worked, stupid expensive to get a new replacement for essentially a plastic air pump.
Full service done, oil and filters, air filter, pollen filter, check over the sparks, coil packs etc.
Found an oil leak on Cyl. 5 spark plug gasket on the rocker cover. I didn't have enough funds to go down that rabbit hole, and the leak was bearable.
Decided to just get it cleaned up and let it roll until I get some more funds. Will have to monitor it.
Selector swapped over with the selector mod installed.
This one was a real pain, everything has to come out from under when doing this. Exhaust, propshaft, heat shields have to be removed so not the best job to do under the car on jack stands. Nigel did a great job, very careful with the exhaust and prop whilst persevering through the hot day. Not to mention wrestling with the many nuts and bolts holding on after many years.
I also now know how damn loud the VR6 sounds without an exhaust, ridiculous and reminded me of being at a drag strip. Could hear it from my backyard on the other side of the house. Loved the tone though something primal about it. The resonated exhaust does wonders in keeping it sane.
The 2nd hand shifter was not a 100% swap so Nigel practically rebuilt a new one from both units, ask him for details but I think he now knows how to pull them apart and put them together quite well. He spent a bit of time adjusting a roller and a metal piece holding it, persevered and finally got it working. No service manual for these selectors as the stupid things are a whole part on Audi's books. It was a case of a lot of figuring out by Nigel when making one out of two.
Located an issue on the PCB of the busted one, two of the SMD components clearly blown. Either that was the cause or the infamous P microswitch, who knows?
All that matters is that in the end it was all sorted, no flashing lights anymore and once again I don't have to count gears in my head.
Last but not least a DSG filter and oil change as I was nearing the 20K mark since last done.
Could have gotten away with just the oil according to Audi but for the price of the filters, may as well get it done as well every time.
Showed me how to get the car up and safely on jack stands as there was some participation involved in getting the Haldex oil in.
Makes me wish I had the space for a lift.
Car now ready just in time for the MOT.
Immense thanks to Nigel @NHN. Hard to get hold of but does a fantastic and thorough job.
Extremely helpful, answers your questions and talks you through the issue with what has to be done.
IMO way better than an Audi tech as well as being a to your door service.
Had a 2hrs drive from his to mine as well.
Definitely recommend him to anyone looking to get an issue fixed or a mod done. He is busy but I think well worth it.
Car fund now at £0 again and I still have to pay for MOT and insurance, fun times.
At least it's all working now and should MOT without any issues.
Some people may say sell it but I have grown attached to this car, a pain in the wallet but love it to bits.