996 Tiptronic shift lever glitch engaging park.

[gusmagoo]

Greetings fellow members from a newbie!

Not long ago I became the proud owner of my first Porsche, a 2004 996 C2 Tiptronic here in the UK.

I started a thread on 911uk.com regarding my Tip shift having an intermittent glitch but have had very little response. Being as I estimate there being a lot more Tip owners out there I'd like to ask the question again. Here's my post;

I'll try and keep this brief to prevent you getting bored, this question \ concern relates to the usage of my 2004 996 Tiptronic gear shift, the car has done 64k miles, FSH…

Having parked and locked up for a short time I returned to the car to find that I couldn't start the car… Everything was fine with battery, warning lights fuel etc, but turning the ignition key from position 2 to position 3 resulted in silence. No engine cranking at all, all lights went out from p2 to p3 as if to direct power to starter as expected, but total silence.

Initially I was totally perplexed and ended up ringing Porsche for some advice.

They found it difficult to diagnose over the phone and advised recovery.

Then I remembered once having an issue, years ago, with an auto that hadn't been correctly placed in park, (on most autos you can't start the car if it's not in park, here in the UK anyway) so I released the handbrake and rocked the car by grabbing the back wheel. I clearly heard a click, presumably the park lock clicking into place and immediately started the car with no issues; the shift lever button was also heard to click.

Additionally going from drive to reverse sometimes doesn't engage reverse, though this is easily rectified by going from drive to park to reverse, again when you hear the button pop back up fully you know you've now got reverse, engine running. The part of the lever button I can see always pops up, but you can then hear an additional click and the button moves but a tiny bit, like someone taps it from underneath! The lever and button is free moving with no stiffness. The car has only covered 3000 miles in the last year, making me think lack of use may be a factor. The gearbox is working faultlessly and not displaying the dreaded flashing number 4. It's recently been given a clean bill of health from a main agent (though it was bought from an indie) since the episode I've adjusted my use of the shift to prevent this happening but do notice sometimes that the button doesn't always pop up immediately or click when I think it should. I'm convinced it's something to do with the lever or lock button itself. Has anyone ever experienced this sort of glitch before and does anyone know what is causing it. I'm not in the least bit concerned about it but I'm surprised the techies at Porsche didn't appear to understand what I told them had happened when they rang me an hour or so later. It was good of them to ring me back though…

Since writing this in December about 1 start in 15 fails, but I can always get reverse now from any direction.

Any constructive advice will be greatly appreciated, regards, Gus.

Edited February 9, 2011 by gusmagoo

[roadsession]

When my engine was replaced recently, the tech found that the tip shift bushings and linkage was worn. That may be the culprit.

[gusmagoo]

Thanks roadsession I'll look into that. I've just bought a second hand shift for next to nothing just to see how the whole thing works! Heck it might even have some useful parts on it!

[roadsession]

gusmagoo - i found the work order:

996-426-044-52 Selector Cable

mine was very worn (I have 2002 C4)

[gusmagoo]

Thanks roadsession, but I actually think my problem lies elsewhere...

Having received the spare gear shift unit bought for peanuts online, I've been studying how it works and what everything does on it.

I'm convinced the problem lies with the sprung cental shaft seizing before it has fully popped up, so that the solenoid located at the base of the shaft does not fully close, preventing a start. This soleniod appears to tell the brain of the car when the lever is correctly sat in a position, preventing an inadvertent knock of the lever...

The reason why I cant tell this is happening is because the button itself (that you press to move the shift) has a small spring located underneath to pop the cover back up unaided, disguising the fact that the shaft hasn't popped back up!... (if you catch my drift!)

I will report back when I have investigated further....

:)

[roadsession]

ahh. that would make sense...good luck - let us know!

[gusmagoo]

Mmmmmm,

I was wrong, the component at the base of the shaft is the Foot Brake switch solenoid preventing you pushing the lever down, to then let you move the shift, unless you have your foot on the brake.

That besides, If it isn't closed, you can't start the car, and additionally if it isn't closed it won't engage reverse, even if the dashboard says it's in reverse so i'm even more confident now that the problem is related to the shaft not being all the way up when it should be! (meaning that the solenoid effectively remains open, until the shaft is fully up)

I will get to the bottom of this!

(then perhaps write a book about it, or make a film )

:D

Edited February 15, 2011 by gusmagoo

[gusmagoo]

After 1600 miles of driving since purchase the symptoms have now changed slightly.

The starting issue (or lack of cranking) still happens but not as often.

Now when moving the shift from drive to reverse, the dashboard light makes a clear positive move to R, but the gear does not seem to engage and no beep from the parking sensors, this happens mainly if I do it slowly, the shift seems to be in the correct position but the car fails to engage Reverse, presumably remaining in N (the next nearest position that it goes through to reach R) Occasionally the “in-between gears” or something, warning pops up on the dash but that’s usually because its half way through a move (whilst performing this action slowly)

The problem is quickly solved by either positively moving the shift (rather than doing it slowly) or by firstly putting in P THEN moving it into R, it always works when you do it like that. The reverse gear then happily engages and the reverse “beep” sounds for my parking sensors…

1. Does this sound like a position sensor fault?

2. Where is the position sensor?

3. Do we have a part number for it?

4. Is there a possibility that it could be the cable itself that is worn, seizing or misadjusted? If so can someone please tell me the part number for that too.

Thanks for your patience and help.

PS Im not sure now how "free" the shift is supposed to be, this being my first Porsche, it just seems normal, should it move freely with say, thumb and first 2 fingers?

In addition to above latest symptoms I've just noticed that at 30k miles four years ago it has the following work done.

"free off, lub and adjust seized tipo gear linkage"

Does anyone think this might be the cause of the above symptoms yet again?

Thanks in advance for you're suggestions...

[dirtydonki]

This was beginning to look promising and then it ended so abruptly. :(

I have a similar problem, 996 cabrio 2003, but additionally my dash keeps telling me:

"selector lever not engaged"

Car would still start ok but has gotten gradually less and less willing until today starting it is almost like winning the lottery.

Called a friend who used to work on these for Porsche who advised that is could be down to the selector cable needing adjusting but he would need to have it in to know for sure. When it does start it indicates the gears on the dash correctly. No flashes and no safe run mode. Drives as you would expect. Just become more and more difficult to get started.

At first I thought it might be the ignition switch again but had a new one installed last year and only done 4000 miles since. Symptoms were similar back then but I was not then, getting the dash error.

My hopes of doing a DIY on this are fading fast and I'm broke.

[gusmagoo]

This was beginning to look promising and then it ended so abruptly. :(

I have a similar problem, 996 cabrio 2003, but additionally my dash keeps telling me:

"selector lever not engaged"

Hey there Dirtydonki!

The reality here is that as yet I've done nothing about it, apart from change my shifting style to get the car to do what I want every time, which is positively engage in each position on the gate.

This isn't an ideal fix but till I actually determine what the problem is I can't really give an answer here…it's such an uncommon problem (I too have had problems finding any relevant posts).

My next move will be to clean and freshly lubricate the lever and all moving parts under the shift cover then attempting to lubricate the cable.

Currently I suspect this is being caused by a seizing/sticky/dirty cable, or the Tiptronic gear linkage seizing.

My symptoms can now be "demonstrated" by me slowly attempting to go from D to R. This nearly always doesn't work, and I get the shift not selected message sometimes too. A quick jolt towards park then back into R makes it work every time.

Reading past history I discovered a line saying "free off lube and adjusts seized tipo gear linkage" from 2006.

When selecting P, I take my finger off the gate button and positively slide it into P which has seemed to prevent the no starts. It's not an ignition problem, I'm convinced of that. As previously said I'll report back when I've discovered more. (It's a weekend car). If you learn any more do let us know! Cheers, Gus…

;)

PS my original post on this issue is also worth a read, and can be found here....

http://www.911uk.com/viewtopic.php?t=59468&highlight=engage+park

Edited March 22, 2011 by gusmagoo

[RFM]

Older ZF Tiptronics have a selector switch on the side of the gearbox, if all cable adjustments are done and the linkages works smoothly and there are still problems as described, remove the more or less rectangle switch from the box, open the switch with a small drill bit and drill out the rivets. Inside you find several electric contact lines and a vane which slide over the lines according the selected lever mode. The switch contains an amount of grease which is hardened by age, clean everything thoroughly and put fresh grease on the contact lines and vane, put a small amount of silicon on both switch halves to prevent water infiltration, close the switch and screw it together with small screws and nuts which are commercially available. Check all functions after install. I did it more than once on the moon where no spare parts are available. The switch replaced by a new one is easier but more expensive. Succes.

[gusmagoo]

Thanks very much RFM for that info BUT I’ve been told that the shift was re designed for the later cars and there isn’t any rectangular box on the side from about 02 onwards.

However If I find that there is one I will surely update the post and carry out the service. Once again, thank you for your input….

:thankyou:

[PorscheFever]

Gusmagoo,

To me it really sounds like a mechanical problem with the shifter - perhaps the most likely culprit is the cable. There is also a metal linkage that the cable attaches and goes to the transmission shifter on the driver side of the car - this could be bent. Then again, maybe the cable is simply out of adjustment.

To answer your last post - I have a 2004 model and it has the multi-function switch (aka neutral safety switch) on the side of the tranny. You have to remove the transmission support to gain access to it however, so it's no easy task.

--I am having a similar issue as dirtydonki, however. I am constantly getting "gear selector not engaged". The dealer told me I needed a new multi-function switch - installed it's almost $700! I think I will try RFM's trick first. I have already replaced the connector piece that connects the cable to the linkage on the tranny. This helped tremendously, but did not complete remedy the issue. A new cable runs $200, so I want to inspect mine before throwing that kind of money at it. I just ordered the connector that connects the cable to the shifter - apparently it's adjustable? Now if I can figure out how to get that console out I will find out.

[gusmagoo]

Thanks PorscheFever, and welcome to the forum!

I’ve still not had the car in for its promised service and check over so I’m none the wiser, but me and a few buddies have come to a similar conclusion. It’s got to be either the cable or possibly the shift tip selector lever which, I think, is part of or near to the gearbox? Or at least attached to it in some way…And has been highlighted as a problem before… I hope you sort your problem soon, and let us know on here maybe? I’ll be sure to post a full run down of the solution when I’ve done the deed. Best wishes, Gus…

:thankyou: