PDK Glitch

[renos]

I've had my first PDK glitch a few days ago at 11.000kms.

As I was going on a dual carriageway at some 80 km/h a message appeared on the OBC "transmission emergency run" with a symbol in white letters. The car felt somewhat different but until I realized what was going on I had to stop at a busy roundabout. As I was stopped I totally lost drive and the gear indication went blank. In the meantime the traffic started moving behind me and I was lucky not to get bumped!

I tried to move the lever in Manual and back to Auto with no effect. Then I switched the engine off and on again and the message disappeared and all has been normal since then.

I covered some 500kms since then without any problem at all.

Anyone has experienced something similar?

Edited August 16, 2009 by renos

[Loren]

Have your dealer/OPC check the PDK with their PIWIS tester for fault codes.

[gagausa]

I've had my first PDK glitch a few days ago at 11.000kms.

As I was going on a dual carriageway at some 80 km/h a message appeared on the OBC "transmission emergency run" with a symbol in white letters. The car felt somewhat different but until I realized what was going on I had to stop at a busy roundabout. As I was stopped I totally lost drive and the gear indication went blank. In the meantime the traffic started moving behind me and I was lucky not to get bumped!

I tried to move the lever in Manual and back to Auto with no effect. Then I switched the engine off and on again and the message disappeared and all has been normal since then.

I covered some 500kms since then without any problem at all.

Anyone has experienced something similar?

I have a 2009 C2S with PDK, put in about 3,500 Km (2,100 mils.) so far nothing as you described. Give us updates after you visit the repair shop! Thanks.

[renos]

They've read the Fault Codes at the workshop.

P0176D: 3rd gear engagement block or gear skip

P1990: positive torque intervention not possible.

These codes could come up for a number of reasons (hydraulics, transmission etc) but since the car operates well they concluded it was a software/elctronic problem. They will format the PDK control unit and reload the software (new version if available).

Edited August 17, 2009 by renos

[Coyot]

Hello everybody, this is my first posting. I am an expatriate in Brussels, Belgium.

I have recently (in July) bought a used 911 Carrera GTS Coupe, with PDK (first registration March 2011, with 9.000km on the clock) from a Porsche dealership in Germany (former company car). The car now has 12.000km.

I was faced just today with the problem Renos had, although in a lighter version (the terrifying indication came on, including its red letter version, but still the transmission remained fully functional at all times). Stopped, checked and carried on my trip without further trouble. The indication didn't come back.

Renos's story is quite reassuring (although not updated since 2009) but still the obvious move would be to take the car to a certified dealership (it's still got more than one year of warranty).

The real problem is that there's no dependable dealership anywhere close to here (quality of all kinds of services and customer care are Soviet-standard in Belgium - I could write to you several stories but wouldn't like to go off topic in my first posting), so the remaining choice is the closest German dealership in Aachen, some 160km (100miles) away (the dealership where i bought the car is more than 350 miles away, so not an option).

Should I postpone my inevitable visit there as much as it's convenient for my schedule (I work very long hours) or could it be urgent?

Thanks in advance

[MWS]

I had the same message appear twice on my '09 C4S when I had about 15,000 miles on it. I had just started the car and it would not shift into any gear until I shut down the engine and restarted.

I took it to the dealership and they supposedly reloaded the PDK software. It has not happened again since.

I now have a bout 61,000 miles on the car and have had no further problems with the PDK.

Of possible interest - that last week I took my C4S in for the 60,000 mile service. This included changing the oil in the PDK and servicing the 4-wheel drive. The dealership said my C4S was the first PDK on which they had performed the 60,000 mile service.

The service cost over $2,100.00? OUCH!!!!

Car runs great - perhaps even better than when it was new.

MWS

[ltcjmramos]

Long-time member over on the GT3 forum. Been driving a 996GT3 since Jan '05, and a 993TT just prior to that. As I approach 70, thinking of getting into a gentler/kinder car, and am considering a 997S with PDK.

My question is are there any other issues with these early-on PDK's? I know I'm in for a BIG change from the rough and ready GT3, but am ready for that gentler/kinder car (I hope).

[JFP in PA]

Most of the PDK related issues we are aware of have been software related, but there have also been a couple of abuse related issues (heavy use of the "launch mode" causing overheating).

One of the biggest issues I see going forward is that even the dealers cannot service these gearboxes; if oil changes and software do not correct the issue, replacement of the trans is their only option. And only the latest version of the PIWIS can diagnose these transmissions. While the car is under warranty, this is obviously not an issue; but if the car is out of warranty, you had better have a healthy check book balance as a new gearbox, in a crate, is in the $20,000 range............

Edited December 9, 2011 by JFP in PA

[Gabrieldv]

Hi,

I recently bought a 2012 911 C2 Black Edition with PDK and have had the same message appear a few times. When it appears the transmission goes to 2nd gear and stays there till you turn it off. Once you turn it back on it works ok. After a few visits to the dealer, they changed the control unit last week but the problem resurfaced last Friday. Today they told me that they will change the whole transmission.

Should I be worried moving forward with this?

What should I expect?