Need Some Expert Help On Transmission Problem

[mptoledo]

2001 Box s Tiptronic with 67k miles

When I started my car up and put it in drive I heard a crunching or slipping sound. i could actually feel it with my feet. It wasn't overly loud, but it was audible. It happens when stopped at a light with the car in drive mostly. I could hear a similar slightly lesser noise when I shifted it in park or Neutral. I had no choice but to drive it home. The car drove flawlessly on the 90 mile journey home. It shifted fine from take off, up and down the gears. There wasn't any over heating issue or reving issues(idle was fine), just only happened when I stopped at a light or was parked.

I am taking a stab at what I think might be wrong:

Does the tip have a sort of clutch brake/plate that keeps the clutch from engaging when stopped?

My check engine light did come on a few weeks ago. Is there a simple unit I can buy from autozone that would work for my car?

Update: I started it up today and it made the same noise/feeling. I turned it off immediately and will not drive it until i have it diagnosed. There was no fluid on the floor.

[txhokie4life]

Just a guess -- but could this just be motor/transmission mounts?

I've got a stick the needs them.

When I start or stop -- more so on start. I "feel" a clunk and sometimes here it ever so slightly.

I think I can even feel it when I brake. Most obvious on a standing start.

There is no grinding sound -- more like clunk or thunk.

I've got so many projects going on, I just haven't gotten around to addressing it yet. (my car is always last :-( )

Your CEL could be something else entirely.

You could goto autozone, etc and they can usually read the codes for you.

a lot of CEL issues are emissions and they generally flag the cel is they see it fail twice in a row

under checking conditions -- which are different depending on when they are checked.

However, esp emissions, will clear them selves if they no longer detect the fault after

a couple tries.

some of the emissions can be as simple as the gas cap was loose.

without checking the codes -- you won't know.

Mike

[mptoledo]

Thanks for the response:

It reminds me of when you slowly let of the brake at a stoplight. Kind of a grinding noise. Its like whatever is suppose to stop the clutch from engaging isn't doing its job. I am not a mechanic, but a pretty good problem solver. I definatley know its with the mechanics of the transmission.

[txhokie4life]

Thanks for the response:

It reminds me of when you slowly let of the brake at a stoplight. Kind of a grinding noise. Its like whatever is suppose to stop the clutch from engaging isn't doing its job. I am not a mechanic, but a pretty good problem solver. I definatley know its with the mechanics of the transmission.

That is totally different than what i am referring to.

Someone with a bit more transmission knowledge will have to chime in.

thanks,

mike

[Loren]

There are transmission fault code for the Tiptronic - chances are there is a stored code or a pending code.

I doubt the generic readers will read the Tiptronic codes - you will likely need the Durametric software, a PST2 or PIWIS tester to read these fault codes.

[wvicary]

Does this sound only happen when you have your foot on the brake? It could be a creaking suspension mount or joint. It's very hard to say without hearing the noise in person but I wouldn't risk damage to anything and have it towed to a indy or the dealer.

[mptoledo]

Does this sound only happen when you have your foot on the brake? It could be a creaking suspension mount or joint. It's very hard to say without hearing the noise in person but I wouldn't risk damage to anything and have it towed to a indy or the dealer.

I can here a faint similar noise when I have the car in park, but nothing as prevalent as when I stop at a light. I thought about mounts after reading numerous posts on here and 986 forum, but it runs just fine until I stop. All gears including second seamed to shift fine. I don't know the mechanics of the transmission system very well(yet), so I am just guessing at what I think it is.

Plus it's not just the sound but I can feal it through the floor boards and my shoes. It isn't a super loud sound but it is definately loud enough to raise concern.

[Wayne R. Dempsey]

Loren's right - it's tough to diagnose these without a reader and some trouble codes. About the only thing you can do is check the fluid level in your transmission, instructions here: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/35-TRANS-Auto_Fluid_Change/35-TRANS-Auto_Fluid_Change.htm

-Wayne

[mptoledo]

I purchased a obd2 reader today and only read two codes.

1.)p1133= oxygen sensor, adaptation, lower load bank two above limit.

2.)p1126=o2 sensng range 1 cyl 4-6

Neither pertained to the transmission. I knew it was getting to be time to change out my 02 sensors so no suprise there.

I think I am first going to change my tranny fluid, yes I did read up on it and know it isn't the easiest one to do. I have done my: oil, plugs, fuel and air filter. I also changed my alternator this year. I have some mechanical skills, albeit limited.

1.) Where do you all suggest to get the parts? Automatic transmission filter & gasket kit and fluid(might as well get some 02 sensors while I am at it).

2.)How much fluid is generally needed.

3.)Anybody have a site they love for the DIYer for this project? I usually use Pedro's garage.

Worst case scenerio is I will have to flat bed it to the nearest P-mechanic or worst of the worst case scenerios take it to the stealership

Edited May 31, 2010 by mptoledo

[Loren]

I doubt the generic readers will read the Tiptronic codes - you will likely need the Durametric software, a PST2 or PIWIS tester to read these fault codes.

[mptoledo]

Where is the best and cheapest place to get one of those? or are they "stupid" expensive? My closest P-dealership is like an hour away.

Edited May 31, 2010 by mptoledo

[Loren]

Durametric is 'reasonable' at $287. A PST2 or PIWIS tester (lease) are in the thousands of dollars.

I recommend the Durametric.

http://www.durametric.com/

[mptoledo]

Durametric is 'reasonable' at $287. A PST2 or PIWIS tester (lease) are in the thousands of dollars.

I recommend the Durametric.

http://www.durametric.com/

It was $347 for my car. I know you get what you pay for, but I was hoping to keep the whole project around $150ish.

I think I am going to try the transmission fluid change and then go from there. I will definately replace my o2 sensors.

Where is the best place to buy all the stuff(atf filter/fluid/o2 sensors)?

[wvicary]

I think you're jumping the gun here by just replacing parts until you know what the cause is. You might not have a O2 sensor or transmission fault. Any chance you could capture a sound clip of the noise?

[mptoledo]

I think you're jumping the gun here by just replacing parts until you know what the cause is. You might not have a O2 sensor or transmission fault. Any chance you could capture a sound clip of the noise?

Thanks for your reply.

I will give the recording a a shot tomorrow. It's as much as or more of a feeling through my feet, but it is definately audible. Having been a new car salesmanager at a Porsche, Bmw Mitsubishi shop, I have seen my share of blown up transmissions. This doesn't sound like one. It sounds like something slipping or border line grinding. The grinding part is very mild but has concerned me enough to garage it. It shifted flawlessly up and down. Just when I was stopped with it in drive and more faintly when in park or neutral.

I read the directions on my osb2 reader and it states that it reads all codes including transmission codes. Now I am not pretending to be an expert on these readers but I do have mechanal skills. If others know for sure the osb2 readers "definately" don't read the tiptronic codes, then I am at peace with that. In problem solving, I start with one thing at a time and then proceed to the next(process of elimination). Plus it can't hurt doing it. I am almost positive the o2 sensors are at the end of their life as it happened last year(codes). My mileage has gone down a bit also. I just thought if putting some AT fluid in,it might solve the problem enough to get it to a real mechanic.

[mptoledo]

I did the atf/filter change and still have the problem. Unfortunately I have no way of recording it. It sounds like a churning noise/feeling. I was hoping somebody else has experieinced it so they could give me some insight.

Please chime in if you have a good idea what it is.

[mptoledo]

Ok, I think I have it narrowed down. My friend who is by no means a certified mechanic, but has turned a few wrenches on many cars, heard it and immediatley said torque converter. He, by his own admission is not qualifed to work on a porsche. He suggested a good place outside columbus. I will definately keep you all posted on my progress so if it happens to you, at least you will have a clue to what it is.

Edited June 20, 2010 by mptoledo