Audi A6 Multitronic Various Issues

[cwhi4285]

Hi Guys,

I'm proud to join this forum.

I have recently acquired a C5 A6 2.5 TDI V6 with a multitronic box.

Bodywork not perfect, but I plan to sort that in time.

I have a problem when I switch to tiptronic mode, it does engage and switches to the "1234..." on the HUD. However, I can't shift up but I can shift down. In gear 1 from standstill it just revvs to the max RPM and doesn't change up, why I change back to "D" to avoid engine damage.

After painstaking research, I have managed to establish that the probable cause is due to a missing magnet! Apparently, if this magnet falls out the system doesn't sense an upshift. I know this is not a problem with the gearbox itself, as I can engage all other gears and D with no judders whatsoever. So I ordered a special magnet from the USA, I need to open up the gearbox cover and install it.

Is this what the probable cause is? Are there any others sensors or things I'm missing?

Also Audi quote that the gearbox oil is "sealed for life", my car is quite high mileage but still functioning perfectly. I'm going to change the oil anyway as I thing Audi are "full of crap" on that, is this the right thing to do?

Also, I took it to the Audi garage for a "check up" and they quoted my ridiculous prices (cam belt GBP 1300) when I can get it done for 500. In particular, they told me that my break pipes were ruptured which could be a problem under heavy braking. I took it to my trusted garage and he inspected and showed me that the pipes were fine!

Has anyone else been lied to in this way by Audi?

Finally, I'm keen on car meets. I used to have a Passat and went to one of their gatherings which was brilliant. Obviously, this would be UK gatherings!

Any feedback/comments on the above would be great, I will be keeping my A6 for some time.

Cheers!

 

[rhys084]

Hi Guys,

I'm proud to join this forum.

I have recently acquired a C5 A6 2.5 TDI V6 with a multitronic box.

Bodywork not perfect, but I plan to sort that in time.

I have a problem when I switch to tiptronic mode, it does engage and switches to the "1234..." on the HUD. However, I can't shift up but I can shift down. In gear 1 from standstill it just revvs to the max RPM and doesn't change up, why I change back to "D" to avoid engine damage.

After painstaking research, I have managed to establish that the probable cause is due to a missing magnet! Apparently, if this magnet falls out the system doesn't sense an upshift. I know this is not a problem with the gearbox itself, as I can engage all other gears and D with no judders whatsoever. So I ordered a special magnet from the USA, I need to open up the gearbox cover and install it.

Is this what the probable cause is? Are there any others sensors or things I'm missing?

Also Audi quote that the gearbox oil is "sealed for life", my car is quite high mileage but still functioning perfectly. I'm going to change the oil anyway as I thing Audi are "full of ****" on that, is this the right thing to do?

Also, I took it to the Audi garage for a "check up" and they quoted my ridiculous prices (cam belt GBP 1300) when I can get it done for 500. In particular, they told me that my break pipes were ruptured which could be a problem under heavy braking. I took it to my trusted garage and he inspected and showed me that the pipes were fine!

Has anyone else been lied to in this way by Audi?

Finally, I'm keen on car meets. I used to have a Passat and went to one of their gatherings which was brilliant. Obviously, this would be UK gatherings!

Any feedback/comments on the above would be great, I will be keeping my A6 for some time.

Cheers!

Is it multitronic or tiptronic?

The F189 switch/magnet isn't a gearbox issue itself, but extended periods of driving with the fault can cause permanent damage to the gearbox.

As for the lifetime oil, I read that ZF (the people who manufacture the box) do not agree with Audi and suggest it is changed ideally at every 50,000 miles but absolutely no more than 100,000. One does start to question when inconsistencies like this arise if Audi intentionally don't want their cars doing 250,000+ miles, but failing at a "reasonable time" and selling you a shiny new one.

I can't say i've ever been lied to by Audi, but some of the prices I've been quoted to do basic work have been absolutely unjustifiable.

 

[cwhi4285]

Oh boy, you are testing me now.

What is the difference?

I need an education as I am a previous manual man with little experience of these terminologies mate. I don't have a paddle shift, I have an auto box with a shifter that when moved to the right engages manual "override".

Sorry I am so ignorant, reg is W146SCF if it's any use?

Thanks for your time

 

[rhys084]

FWD is multitronic, Quatto is tiptronic as a rule of thumb but on a W reg car I'm not sure either.
I just know someone who had a Quattro 2.5TDI tip and the magnet switch you mention left un repaired for a few thousand miles ended up needing the gearbox refurbished.

 

[cwhi4285]

I guess it's good I'm looking into it now! it's definately a FWD. LOVELY motor...lovely drive with amazing MPG for the engine size. Love it and it will be looked after. I can infer then, that mine is multitronic according to your comments. Thank you!

 

[rhys084]

Possibly not it could be tiptronic on a W plate, there was a change over around year 2000 and it could be a tiptronic as prior to 2000 they all were. I have a passing knowledge of this time frame for the change over, but some other members here are like walking encyclopaedias and can give you a more accurate answer.

 

[cwhi4285]

mate you have utterly confused me now. I can say it's a March 2000 reg.....I know it's not a show stopper. But I liked the Manual shifting thingy that enabled me to get more out of my V6. D is functional but a bit tame.....

 

[cwhi4285]

Your opinions and valuable insight are greatly appreciated!

 

[ms1083]

Hi Guys,

I'm proud to join this forum.

I have recently acquired a C5 A6 2.5 TDI V6 with a multitronic box.

Bodywork not perfect, but I plan to sort that in time.

I have a problem when I switch to tiptronic mode, it does engage and switches to the "1234..." on the HUD. However, I can't shift up but I can shift down. In gear 1 from standstill it just revvs to the max RPM and doesn't change up, why I change back to "D" to avoid engine damage.

After painstaking research, I have managed to establish that the probable cause is due to a missing magnet! Apparently, if this magnet falls out the system doesn't sense an upshift. I know this is not a problem with the gearbox itself, as I can engage all other gears and D with no judders whatsoever. So I ordered a special magnet from the USA, I need to open up the gearbox cover and install it.

Is this what the probable cause is? Are there any others sensors or things I'm missing?

Also Audi quote that the gearbox oil is "sealed for life", my car is quite high mileage but still functioning perfectly. I'm going to change the oil anyway as I thing Audi are "full of ****" on that, is this the right thing to do?

Also, I took it to the Audi garage for a "check up" and they quoted my ridiculous prices (cam belt GBP 1300) when I can get it done for 500. In particular, they told me that my break pipes were ruptured which could be a problem under heavy braking. I took it to my trusted garage and he inspected and showed me that the pipes were fine!

Has anyone else been lied to in this way by Audi?

Finally, I'm keen on car meets. I used to have a Passat and went to one of their gatherings which was brilliant. Obviously, this would be UK gatherings!

Any feedback/comments on the above would be great, I will be keeping my A6 for some time.

Cheers!

First I would get a scan done for fault codes to check gearbox iteself - if you haven't got a reader probablly worth getting one from ebay, not expensive just a VAG reader will do. The expensive ones like VCDS enale you to change setting/timing graphs etc but just a reader is very useful and will easily gets its money back if you can diagnose and clear fault codes.
Could well be the magnet but does your car have the +/- buttons on the steering wheel to up/down gears as they would work regardless if the magnet is missing but if they don't work its something else.
Magnet is only in the selector lever and does not involve touching the gearbox, you get to it my removing the trim around the lever - you will probablly find your old one loose or out of place just need to superglue it back in position (if it is that problem).
I would suggest you find a good local audi independent to ask about all your oil, Personally I would change the "sealed, lifelong" oil but I am speaking as someone who had to have their gearbox replaced at big expense so I would personally try to look after it.
Timing belt (on mine, 2004 2.5tdi v6 allroad) due every 70,000 miles or 5 years. I did mine myself at 140,000 miles - just the parts cost just over £300 as its worth doing quite a lot whilst you are there due to having to remove a lot to get acess and all would have to come off if any other part failed i.e. water pump (both timing belts, both ribbed belts, all idlers, all tensioners, water pump, thermostat and new coolant) took me 1.5 days to do, would expect any garage to take at least 6 hours so its going to cost quite a bit.

 

[cwhi4285]

THANK YOU for the delightful informative response!

I have recently purchased a reader, on it's way in the post. My car doesn't have the + or - on the wheel, just the + _ on the box. I will definately get the oil changed, a local specialist will do this with the proper coolign down procedure. Not using the official Audi stuff, but a well branded alternative. Yes, the belts are a major pain in these V6s, but well well worth the cost. Audi quoted me 1300!, I can get my own guy to do it for 500 ish to 600 in total which is a ****** good price.

I have also ordered a new dash as the LCD has lines missing, it's from a later TDI v6 so I will get a VCDS guy to pair it to my ECU to avoid immobilser problems.

 

[ms1083]

sounds like you are sort then. just make sure you get everything that can be changed changed when the belts are done. might be worth you buying ELSA on ebay too. its the full audi workshop manual, just use your codes in front of the service book and it will give you specific details about your car's fitted equipment.

 

[TYphoon GB]

Just make sure your reader is VAG and not generic as it may not access controllers other than the main ECU.
Also use a genuine oil filter. This may help.... depends on type of box fitted.
VCDS wont lift the existing IMMO-ID you need Vag Tacho or a dedicated immobilizer reader.
You then use VCDS to load the codes.
Don't be led to have Audi do the SKC code retrieval.
Depending on the IMMO version you may need the immobilizer and the dash code retrieved.
http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/Immobilizer
Recommend ELSA Win. Pain to load the ebay versions unless you really read the instructions but a goldmine for any serious work.
As ms1083 suggested replacing the belts, tensioners, water pump and thermostat is time consuming but not complicated.
While the front is off you can clean the engine bay, degunk (BBQ) the manifold and polish the headlamp lenses among other things....

If your gearbox still plays up then the mechatronic module may need a seeing to. Dry joints, breakdown of the conformal coat and blocked solenoids (dirty oil) all help.
http://www.ecutesting.com/vw_and_audi_dsg_gearbox_ecu.html can help depending on box type.

 

[TYphoon GB]

Meant to have this link included .... This may help .... http://www.blauparts.com/audi/audi_fluid/audi_automatic_transmission_fluid.shtml