honeybee

Hi Guys,

I drive an A6, 3000, 2003 Tiptronics and around a month ago something went wrong. The reverse gear would not engage. This will
also be followed by the PRND lights on the display flashing. After visiting the shop, they told me it is the "range sensor" of the gear TCM and that i need
to replace the TCM itself, which will cost me around $4000!!!

The car is driving fine, with the CVT working but the problem is there all the time (except the 5 minutes each morning). The D is not lit from the back and when i need the reverse gear it is simply not there. Only after i play with the handle, moving from N to D and then back, the display start flashing again and i get the reverse gear working.

Can this be solved without the $4000??

Thank you,

Nir.

1move

iTrader: (1)

I will let you know tonight, ask nothing77 he knows a lot more about the a6 then me, I think the contactor magnets might have gone...but not sure

honeybee

Thank you 1move. I look forward to hearing back from you tonight. How do i contact nothing77?

1move

iTrader: (1)

go to a previous thread where he has posted click on his name and then click private message or go to your private messages type in his name in the box where it states who you are sending it to and write your msg but I think the finding where he posted is easier he has a bunch of posts you can use the search button and type in nothing77

bookman

I found that there is a way to let it's never flashing again, and check engine light won't be on either. Although it doesn't really fix the problem, but it will be much better.
1. To start the engine: To turn the key to ignition position, but don't start the engine, take a look at the shift indicator on the dash board.
a. If it performs normally, that means you can see your shift position, then start the engine right away.
b. If it's fail to show the position, then move the shifter to "N" position, then start the engine.
2. To shut down the engine: To move the shifter to "R" first, then take a look at the shift indicator on the dash board.
a. If it performs normally, that means you can see it's at "R" clearly, then shift it to "P"
b. If not. To move the shifter to "N" position, shut down the engine first. After the engine's off, move the shifter back to "P", then turn the key down and take it out.
The TCM will work properly when the transmission totally been cooled down, or totally been warmed up. And if it's fail, you might not be able to backward, but you should be able to move forward. So if you do know that you'll go for a long trip(more than 20 miles/30 km, then you don't need to worry about that it'll be fail when you get there, but you have to worry about it when you leave later, so always back into the parking spot, in that case you can go out in any sitution.
Anyway now I always park my car back into the parking spot, and use the way I wrote above. Now the TCM has already broken more than 3 month, I never got any problem to drive it, no matter go forward or backward. And I found that the TCM's not working properly only at certain temperature range, so I do believe that it's a bug from the original TCM programming, But AUdi doesn't want to admit it, and doesn't want to pay money to do the recall. Maybe we should try to put everybody who has the same problem together, then to complain this issue to Audi, and see if Audi will do something on the part and labor.
Try the way above, hopefully it works for you as well.

honeybee

Hi,

Thank you for your note. I think it is a good idea that we team up and see how many Audi
owners have the same problem. Would you like to post something or would you like me to do it?

Nir.

pdaddy

Oh God! well it seems that my similar situation has brought me to this forum. Hi my name is Pierre, I drive a 2004 A4 3.0 with Tiptronic and im having the same issue that the others above me have stated. The Car seems to run fine but if I drive it, let it sit for an hour or so, and then drive it again the "PNRDS" will start to flash and a check engine light will illuminate. the Check Engine light will go out tomorrow, but return shortly. From what I've read its the "TCM" that is the issue, If I can get my hands one one where is it located? Does anyone have a picture of the location? is it as simple as a swap and were good? thanks for any help you guys can give me... -Pierre

fulcrumdriver

Uh-oh! I don't think this will be a cheap fix. The problem is with the torque converter seal. To replace the seal, the transmission has to come out. If you keep driving, the torque converter will eventually disintegrate and feed its guts to the transmission and then you'll be looking at a new one of those too. Here is a link to the TSB: clicky. Now it says this relates to tips on 2.7T powered cars only but I know if some 4.2 V8 tiptronics that have had the same thing happen. Therefore, I don't think it is impossible for a 3.0 V6 tiptronic to have the same problem.

pdaddy

Tsk Tsk. Thanks for the response. Its dis-heartning to know that after 60,000 of being spoiled with no problems, something like this happens. I appriciate your time, I'll keep the forum updated with my status...

K04-S4

Any modern Audi TIP trans will produce a VAG code 17125 “Torque converter clutch circuit performance or stuck off” if the internal TC seal starts to leak. There have been ppl driving with a leaking TC seal for thousands of miles without destroying transmissions. The fluid seal is supposed to lock up the TC at higher speeds. If the TC seal starts to leak, the TC cannot fully lock at speed and slips a little, generating a little extra trans fluid heat and engine running a few hundred RPM faster on the highway. It should get fixed, but it's not a "OMG Stop driving the car now" scenario.

A VAG scan is required to assist confirming what the exact issue is because there are a mountain of other codes that could indicate the actual problem.

OP - Get a VAG scan of your car and report back.