So I was notified today about the issue below that there was a bulletin released Feb. 26, 2007 regarding a 'tiptonic switch' causing ALL auto/tip 2003-2005 Audi A4's (3.0's & 1.8T's) to go into an emergency running mode, causing the car to have no power. The symptoms are described below. Despite having the car since 8k miles and having it serviced at the local STealership, they won't honor the bulletin. They say it isn't a recall, therefore they weren't obligated to let me know of the potential problem. He also said they probably get 40 bulletins a month on Audi's with specific problems, but they aren't recalls. It didn't affect certain vin numbered A4's...it lists ALL A4's for the three year period. The car is no longer under warranty. The smaller VW/Audi shop I first went to gave me the printed bulletin (which I assume is only available to mechanics because there's no website described) and they said the dealership should at least help w/ the costs because of not disclosing the bulletin. How the hell would I know otherwise? Does anyone else have this issue? Any suggestions? Do I stand ground for legal action?

Here's the problem:


I've recently been having trouble with my transmission in some way. My gauge clusters are black background with red lighting. The middle cluster under the air temp, mileage left on tank, diagnostics, etc where it says park, reverse, drive etc is in red, with a black background. Basically (from time to time the last week or so) when I start the car (it's a tip) and have it in either auto or tip mode, the entire section of P,R,N,D,S instead of the 1 I'm in at that point is highlighted in red, and the letters are black. Same thing when I'm in tip mode with the 5,4,3,2,1. Instead of the gear I'm in being highlighted in a red square with the number/letter in black, the entire 5 gears are highlighted in the red squares and letters are black.

That's the cosmetic difference; the big thing is the damn car doesn't drive when that happens. If I turn off/on the ignition again it's usually fine. But I had that happen this morning leaving the house, had it in reverse rolling down the driveway (without foot on gas) and when I went into drive, there was no power. Happened again leaving work on lunch 30 min. ago. All was highlighted, and I kept the car in neutral and revved the engine...no power..car just sat there idleing. Anyone know what to do and to what extent the seriousness is?

I've also had trouble off/on the last few weeks with the car starting..had the mass air-flow sensor cleaned cuz a code came up through a friend/mechanic's VERY good diagnostics machine..not something you find at a cheap autoparts store. Won't always turn over right away..especially if there car's sitting for a few hrs.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Mark

 

Hi, my 2 litre A4 2007 tiptronic failed on level ground on mothers Day this year when I pulled over on a freeway to allow learner driver son to take the wheel. The same disp;ay of all gears or all auto settings at once and clutch not connected. Three weeks on and computer for gearbox replaced and pressure valve body replaced and the dealer gave up and fitted a new transmission under warranty which i pick up tomorrow.

No cover on new gearbox as it's not cost me any direct money - just a lot of time and inconvenience.
I am quite dismayed at the lack of communication thus far on the diagnosis and the refusal to give me a warranty on a new gearbox unless I pay for the extended warranty service before my 3 years is up in October. After two weeks I shamed them into a hire car.

Would be most interested if this is common in this transmission as I am told only one case of the computer failing has been experienced by the dealer and never a whole transmission. Evidently the pressure flowing through this valve was lower than specs.

Hope you had some satisfaction on this

kerbsne