Tiptronic works intermittently

[STS]

I have a 2001 996 with the Triptronic transmission. Whether i shift to M or D I tend to have problems with the Tip paddles allowing me to shift. Some days it works perfect and I am able to manually shift in M and D perfectly. Then the next time I get in the car it may work until I get 5 minutes down the road and then it defaults into auto-shift mode and will not let me manually shift using the paddles. I have tried debug by disconnecting the battery and resetting. Sometimes when it will not let me shift I have tried to turn the car off and back on. But that doesn’t work. Then there are times when it is not working/manually shifting and after a stoplight the Tip shifting is functional again??? Does anyone have any advice for me and my technician? Thanks

[Loren]

Has the ATF been changed recently?

Was Porsche spec ATF used?

Most Tip issues are weak or failed solenoids.

 

[STS]

Loren,

 

Thanks for your time and reply. I purchased the car in March of 2023 and have not changed the ATF. I went through CarFax and found some maintenance details. But nothing regarding the transmission being serviced. I am due for an oil change in about 1,500 miles and my Porsche tech did recommend me getting the transmission serviced.

 

Question: Could the ATF needing to be changed potentially cause my Tip to occasionally not allow me to shift manually with the paddles?

 

If the above ATF change/transmission servicing does not solve the issue, it also sounds like you feel we should potentially start replacing solenoids. It is my understanding that there is one that is fairly easy to get to externally and thus less expensive to replace than one that is deeper in. So maybe start there and see how that does.

 

Thanks again for your time and advice. I am interested to know if the ATF could really be the cause of the issue.

 

Todd

 

[Loren]

History has shown the Tip to be sensitive to worn-out or dirty ATF. It can cause all kinds of erratic operation. Make sure the fill is done properly also with the fill level checked at the proper ATF temperature.

 

That would be the place I would start. Everything else will require special diagnostic tools and more cost.

[STS]

Loren,

 

Thanks so much for the information and advice. I will pass the info on to my Porsche tech and will schedule the ATF service with my oil change coming up soon.

 

I truly appreciate your help and time.

 

Thank you,

Todd

[STS]

Loren,

 

I am dropping my 2001 996 with Tip transmission off today to have the transmission serviced as you recommended before due to the Tip shifting working intermittently and not consistent.

 

I am having a very hard time finding the Porsche recommended ATF for my 2001 996. Many searches end up talking about a manual transmission or a 996.2 instead of mine. Do you have any recommendations for a reference point or for the fluid? I read that Pelican is suggesting ATF 6. But someone mentioned that is not approved by Porsche and they are recommending due to Pentosin no longer producing ATF 1. I am amazed that it is so difficult to just search and find the proper ATF for a specific model.

 

Any help or advice as to where I can search would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Todd

[Loren]

[STS]

Terrific. Thanks for the help!

[johnj.moran]

I just had the Tiptronic service done at Porsche Fremont April 24 2024 on my 1999 Carrera 4 Cab and the service record indicates part number 00004330527L Transmission Fluid Automatic. Did Porsche Fremont use the correct fluid? 

[STS]

On 3/19/2024 at 5:09 PM, Loren said:

History has shown the Tip to be sensitive to worn-out or dirty ATF. It can cause all kinds of erratic operation. Make sure the fill is done properly also with the fill level checked at the proper ATF temperature.

 

That would be the place I would start. Everything else will require special diagnostic tools and more cost.

 

[STS]

Loren,

 

I would be very much in your debt and could really use your advice when you have time to help or point me in the direction of someone that can.

 

I am still having Tip shifting issues on my 2001 996. Back in April you recommended starting with changing the ATF in case it was worn or dirty and impacting the tip transmission operations. But the problem persists.

 

The paddles work some times or some days and then will not work for days or a week. This is true whether I am using the paddles in D or in M from a gear shift position.

 

Basically it feels like an electronic issue because of the way it is so erratic. Maybe like a relay or worn wire? The reason I say "electric" is that when driving in D and letting the transmission auto-shift the transmission works terrific with smooth shifts and no issues. There are times when I move the shifter to M and use the paddles to shift and everything is working perfect. Then all of the sudden I may be running through second to third with RPMs rising and my paddles go dead and I cannot get the transmission to shift from second to third (or third to fourth...there is no correlation to the issue and any particular gear). So I move the shifter back into D and the auto-shift kicks in and moves the transmission through the gears properly. So that seems to tell me that the transmission is working just fine. But it seems like the communication from the paddles to the transmission is erratic and potentially causing the issue.

 

Can you point me and my tech in the direction of where we should start from a troubleshooting perspective regarding where the relays or solenoids may be located between the paddles, the Tiptronic Control Module and the transmission? That way I can start trouble most cost effectively versus having someone jump directly into the transmission. 🙂

 

Also, can you tell me if the Tiptronic Control Module is located in the right rear seat panel with the ECU?

 

I am sorry to impose on you. But there is so little (or none at all) information on any sites related to this issue. So I am hoping you have had some experience or exposure to this type of a tip issue. If not, would you have any idea where or who I could start with?

 

Thanks so much in advance for your time and any advice.

Todd