Flashing tiptronic lights

[bnewport]

The car when shifting from P to D doesn't seem to engage the gear with an audible thump anymore and the D light flashes. Moving it to M works sometimes, doesn't work other times. I brought it to the dealer this morning and of course, the D went solid just before arriving. I told em to figure it out anyway. Apparently, the gear indicator LEDs and the D can provide information on faults. The dealer asked me if 4 was flashing also for example. Anyone any idea what the lights mean? The car is a 99 C4.

[Richard Hamilton]

If there is a fault in the tiptronic control unit the 4th gear light will flash - that's why the dealer asked the question.

From what you say, it sounds like you might have a problem with the multi-function switch on the gearbox. The contacts in the switch are prone to breaking up. You really need to connect to a PST2 and compare the lever position with the input signals to the tiptronic unit.

When you move the lever from N to D the PST2 should display N > D. If there is a bad contact it will show N > Z > D. There is a fault code for the multi-function switch, but the switch can play up a bit for a while before the fault is recorded in memory.

Another possibility, although very unlikely, is a break in one of the wires between the tiptronic unit and the instrument cluster. I had this once when retrofitting cruise to a tiptronic Boxster.

[Loren]

I think a Tiptronic problem like that will also throw a P-Code in the 17xx range. It might be good to go to Autozone or some other parts place and get your codes read for free.

[Richard Hamilton]

You are absolutely right Loren, but my brother had a problem with his multi-function switch but the code didn't appear at first. It was a good couple of weeks before the code registered, when the problem got much worse. However, it's worth having the codes read if you can get it done for free. I wish UK parts stores offered that service.

[bnewport]

It didn't CEL on me yet which is not to say there was no code. I have an OBD II reader but didn't plug it in. It's at the dealer now anyway so we'll see.

[Richard Hamilton]

It's a transmission fault, so it shouldn't give you a CEL.

Edited November 20, 2006 by Richard Hamilton

[bnewport]

So

The dealer called and said it's been fixed. The problem is the transmission linkage moved out of alignment slightly and this caused the problem. They said it could have been engine flex or other things. They did some adjustment and the car is working fine again, no charge. Gotta go pick it up now.