OUCH! ~ CVT Transmission Needs New TCM (Transmission Control Module) ~ Is This a Common Problem?
#31
04-18-2015, 08:27 AM
Throwing in the towel
I took my A4 to a local tranny mech who specialises in 'foreign' cars. He put it on his diagnostic computer, and sure enough, confirmed what I already suspected - a deteriorated TCU. The fix was $1900 - which wouldn't have been too bad, but for the fact that my car is a 2001, and thus 15ish years old. Weighed the cost of the repair plus the growing likelihood of near future system failure in the old girl, and decided to sell her for parts, and go with a new model. Definitely not an Audi though - I'm pretty slow to learn, but once I catch on, I'm very sharp lol!
Anyway, thank you all very much for your help and advice. Best of luck to you all.
Anyway, thank you all very much for your help and advice. Best of luck to you all.
#32
04-03-2016, 07:02 PM
How is your Audi and its repair from Canada
I have a 2003 Audi A4 Cabriolet. I began to see the flashing "PRND" light on the dash and reviewed by Shop Manual on the car. I also began to do the research on the problem and read several forums, including this one. I hope I can be of assistance to others!
This reply is divided into 2 segements; one educational and one asking for you to take action.
1. The manual indicates that if the PRND light is flashing, then you must replace the Transmission Control Module. This appears to be a flawed part on behalf of Audi and many people have been experiencing the same problem, and at even some low mileage numbers.
From the Forum, it appears people are having to spend between $2,500 and $3,000 to get this corrected. A new TCM part seems to be about $1,500 from the stealership with the labor as the balance. I was not able to find this part from any other manufacturer. It seems eventually your car has to be taken to a dealership for any new part to be programmed. My local shop (not the dealership) has indicated a lot of Audi's with this problem and the process has been as mentioned...replace the part and have the car towed to the dealership for programming the new TCM.
However, through additional research, I located a firm in Canada that repairs the TCM...your part. Not only is the repair far less expensive at $349, they guarantee the part for the lifetime ownership of your car and guarantee the part will not need the new programming. They repair YOUR part. The process is to have the internal TCM removed, then send it via overnight to the firm in Canada, they repair it, reprogram it and send it out the same day. I am in the middle of this process as I write (3-28-2012). The overnight shipping is $139 which is my total cost to get it there and back...so $488.
My shop indicates the labor to be 5 hours to remove and re-install the part. I visited with them in advance so they know the process and were aware that the car would sit in their shop...inactive for one day. If this all works, they are delighted since they would have a new, much less expensive, process for their future clients.
I sent the part yesterday and was contacted today that the part was repaired, reprogrammed and just got my shipping confirmation that the part is on it's way back. My total costs should come in around $1,000. Which takes me to segment number 2!
2. I contacted the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration and filed a complaint. The shop manual indicates that if the lights begin to flash, then the TCM needs to be replaced. If continued driving occurs, the first potential problem is that the transmission will not shift it reverse. The other potential problems include the transmission locking-up and/or becoming totally destroyed. With this in mind, this IS a highway safety issue!
I feel that Audi has manufacturered a flawed part and should take responsiblity for the part and provide Audi owners a repair under a Recall Campaign. I have filed my complaint and request that other Audi owners with the CVT do the same. If this is as common as I seem to have uncovered, then the failure is not within an acceptable breakdown range. Add to it the cost of repair, I think Audi has left us owners "out in the cold".
I am encouraging people to go to Home | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and file a complaint. Worse that can happen is nothing. The Best that can happen, the NHTSA recognizes the breadth of the problem and requires Audi to conduct a Recall Campaign and make the repairs at no cost to owners and reimburse any owner for the repairs already made at the owner's cost.
A complaint takes only a few minutes to complete and can be done online.
I hope my experience is helpful to others!
The firm in Canada is XeMODex! Good luck....hope you get home ok.
This reply is divided into 2 segements; one educational and one asking for you to take action.
1. The manual indicates that if the PRND light is flashing, then you must replace the Transmission Control Module. This appears to be a flawed part on behalf of Audi and many people have been experiencing the same problem, and at even some low mileage numbers.
From the Forum, it appears people are having to spend between $2,500 and $3,000 to get this corrected. A new TCM part seems to be about $1,500 from the stealership with the labor as the balance. I was not able to find this part from any other manufacturer. It seems eventually your car has to be taken to a dealership for any new part to be programmed. My local shop (not the dealership) has indicated a lot of Audi's with this problem and the process has been as mentioned...replace the part and have the car towed to the dealership for programming the new TCM.
However, through additional research, I located a firm in Canada that repairs the TCM...your part. Not only is the repair far less expensive at $349, they guarantee the part for the lifetime ownership of your car and guarantee the part will not need the new programming. They repair YOUR part. The process is to have the internal TCM removed, then send it via overnight to the firm in Canada, they repair it, reprogram it and send it out the same day. I am in the middle of this process as I write (3-28-2012). The overnight shipping is $139 which is my total cost to get it there and back...so $488.
My shop indicates the labor to be 5 hours to remove and re-install the part. I visited with them in advance so they know the process and were aware that the car would sit in their shop...inactive for one day. If this all works, they are delighted since they would have a new, much less expensive, process for their future clients.
I sent the part yesterday and was contacted today that the part was repaired, reprogrammed and just got my shipping confirmation that the part is on it's way back. My total costs should come in around $1,000. Which takes me to segment number 2!
2. I contacted the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration and filed a complaint. The shop manual indicates that if the lights begin to flash, then the TCM needs to be replaced. If continued driving occurs, the first potential problem is that the transmission will not shift it reverse. The other potential problems include the transmission locking-up and/or becoming totally destroyed. With this in mind, this IS a highway safety issue!
I feel that Audi has manufacturered a flawed part and should take responsiblity for the part and provide Audi owners a repair under a Recall Campaign. I have filed my complaint and request that other Audi owners with the CVT do the same. If this is as common as I seem to have uncovered, then the failure is not within an acceptable breakdown range. Add to it the cost of repair, I think Audi has left us owners "out in the cold".
I am encouraging people to go to Home | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and file a complaint. Worse that can happen is nothing. The Best that can happen, the NHTSA recognizes the breadth of the problem and requires Audi to conduct a Recall Campaign and make the repairs at no cost to owners and reimburse any owner for the repairs already made at the owner's cost.
A complaint takes only a few minutes to complete and can be done online.
I hope my experience is helpful to others!
The firm in Canada is XeMODex! Good luck....hope you get home ok.
I just bought 2003 A4 and facing the similar issues and stumbled upon this forum. Since you have got TCM repaired from Canada, how did it go? And has the issue has been resolved??thanks
#33
04-04-2016, 10:11 AM
Transmission TCM
Well, you should see a great deal of information on this topic. I know I have posted many comments and answers to your question about the transmission. YES...there is a flaw in the Transmission Control Module. Mine began early and AUDI would not recognize there was a problem. It took a CLASS action lawsuit for the problems to be brought out and Audi settled the law suit. Their settlement was to either repair your transmission at no cost, or reimburse you for the cost to make the repair. However, some attorney for Audi got in there and made it so that Audi would repair the transmission only if the car was still under warranty or if the mileage was less than 100,000. So, at 103,000, I got screwed.
You CAN have the TCM repaired, if you wish. There is a firm in Canada that re-programs the module and you can send it overnight up, they repair and sent it overnight back. Likely you will want to use an independent garage since dealerships would like you to spend much more with them.
You CAN have the TCM repaired, if you wish. There is a firm in Canada that re-programs the module and you can send it overnight up, they repair and sent it overnight back. Likely you will want to use an independent garage since dealerships would like you to spend much more with them.
#34
04-04-2016, 10:19 AM
Thank you!
Dear Richard,
Thank you very much!!
Mine is at a garage right now for rough IDLE and rough drive, I have changed all coils and spark plugs but it still drives very rough.. I was told that its the vacuum hoses and mass air flow sensor. I always have bimmers and this is my first Audi and it seems that I have married to AIDS!!
You and I are in the same boat as Audi doesn't cover if its over 100K miles or 10 years hence out of luck... I will check the company in Canada.. Will share my experience on the forum...
Thank you very much!!
Mine is at a garage right now for rough IDLE and rough drive, I have changed all coils and spark plugs but it still drives very rough.. I was told that its the vacuum hoses and mass air flow sensor. I always have bimmers and this is my first Audi and it seems that I have married to AIDS!!
You and I are in the same boat as Audi doesn't cover if its over 100K miles or 10 years hence out of luck... I will check the company in Canada.. Will share my experience on the forum...
#35
07-17-2016, 07:59 PM
In my experience the ONLY way a TCM module can malfunction is when you get water damage through either the sun roof OR the drain plugs under the batter tray.
I had this happen to me BAD, I had to take out all the seats, take up the carpet and re solder the entire interior wire harness.
I replaced the TCM and CCM with used identical part numbers and everything has worked since (this was 4 or so years ago) The only extra thing I had to do was re-program my key fob for wireless entry.
I had this happen to me BAD, I had to take out all the seats, take up the carpet and re solder the entire interior wire harness.
I replaced the TCM and CCM with used identical part numbers and everything has worked since (this was 4 or so years ago) The only extra thing I had to do was re-program my key fob for wireless entry.
#36
07-18-2016, 08:48 AM
Hi Rick.
Thank you so much!! Since I am the second owner hence I don't have the history of the car or damage. However as advised by one of the gentleman here, I sent the TCM to Xemodex in Canada and they repair it. It costed me 600$ including shipping but the service and turn around time was phenomenal. Since then transmission is running smoothly. (Finger crossed).
Much appreciated.
Thank you so much!! Since I am the second owner hence I don't have the history of the car or damage. However as advised by one of the gentleman here, I sent the TCM to Xemodex in Canada and they repair it. It costed me 600$ including shipping but the service and turn around time was phenomenal. Since then transmission is running smoothly. (Finger crossed).
Much appreciated.
#37
07-18-2016, 11:16 AM
CVT and TCM
You will not like the answer! The early models, of which I also had a 2003 A4 Cabriolet, had problems with the transmissions and more specifically the Transmission Control Module. It goes bad. When it does, it can create some big problems for you. If you have reached the point of the PRNDL light going on, Stop driving the car. The module can create havoc with the transmission and could eventually do some serious damage!
Myself, and many other owners went through all this. I began to have problems while still under warranty, but Audi denied any problem. So, even with the documentation of me bringing in the car with the transmission issued, they refuse to do anything about it...even after the Class Action Lawsuit they settled over this issue.
The TCM controls the transmission. When it goes bad, or the software malfunctions, it sends information that can be damaging to the transmission.
Naturally, Audi wants you to purchase a new TCM. It is mounted on the transmission from below and accessible from below. The module must be removed with some care as it has some extensions that protrude out and could be damaged if not removed carefully.
As mentioned, AUDI wants you to purchase the module from them. They then install it and use their proprietary software to program the module.
You CAN have this removed by a local shop at much less cost, send the module to a firm in Canada, which you can look up, and they will re-program the module. This was done in my case for about $1,100, including the overnight shipping and re-programming.
The problems were so vast that a class action lawsuit was filed. Audi finally agreed there was a problem and they offered to repair or reimburse for the cost to correct the TCM. However, cleverly enough, Audi would only repair or reimburse for cars under 100,000 miles! So, your warranty is of no value.
You will not have much choice. You are going to need to repair the TCM and hope that no damage has occurred to the actual transmission.
I hope that helps some, though it is not really much good news! Glad to pass on my past experience.
Myself, and many other owners went through all this. I began to have problems while still under warranty, but Audi denied any problem. So, even with the documentation of me bringing in the car with the transmission issued, they refuse to do anything about it...even after the Class Action Lawsuit they settled over this issue.
The TCM controls the transmission. When it goes bad, or the software malfunctions, it sends information that can be damaging to the transmission.
Naturally, Audi wants you to purchase a new TCM. It is mounted on the transmission from below and accessible from below. The module must be removed with some care as it has some extensions that protrude out and could be damaged if not removed carefully.
As mentioned, AUDI wants you to purchase the module from them. They then install it and use their proprietary software to program the module.
You CAN have this removed by a local shop at much less cost, send the module to a firm in Canada, which you can look up, and they will re-program the module. This was done in my case for about $1,100, including the overnight shipping and re-programming.
The problems were so vast that a class action lawsuit was filed. Audi finally agreed there was a problem and they offered to repair or reimburse for the cost to correct the TCM. However, cleverly enough, Audi would only repair or reimburse for cars under 100,000 miles! So, your warranty is of no value.
You will not have much choice. You are going to need to repair the TCM and hope that no damage has occurred to the actual transmission.
I hope that helps some, though it is not really much good news! Glad to pass on my past experience.
#38
07-18-2016, 02:24 PM
Hi Rick.
Thank you so much!! Since I am the second owner hence I don't have the history of the car or damage. However as advised by one of the gentleman here, I sent the TCM to Xemodex in Canada and they repair it. It costed me 600$ including shipping but the service and turn around time was phenomenal. Since then transmission is running smoothly. (Finger crossed).
Much appreciated.
Thank you so much!! Since I am the second owner hence I don't have the history of the car or damage. However as advised by one of the gentleman here, I sent the TCM to Xemodex in Canada and they repair it. It costed me 600$ including shipping but the service and turn around time was phenomenal. Since then transmission is running smoothly. (Finger crossed).
Much appreciated.
$600???
Holly crap I just opened mine up and soaked it in 99% alcohol over night and re-soldered anything that looked iffy.
Worked like a charm, costed me $5.
Also, i'd cut into the wires going to the module and check for corrosion, if the copper has turned blueish it will not carry a current and will probably just fry your module again. Don't quote me on this but I'm pretty sure it is just basic 16 gauge wire.
#39
07-19-2016, 11:23 AM
TCM problem
I posted a response yesterday, but do not see it, so here it goes again.
Jassmaster....you are not going to like the information about your TCM. I had a 2003 A4 Cabriolet and had the same problem. I since learned that the problem is very common.
Audi has a software design flaw on the CVT. The Transmission Control Module goes out and can malfunction. It controls the functions of the transmission, so when it begins to go, there are some subtle signs, then the signs get more urgent. If your car is blinking the PRNDL light, you need to stop driving the car. That is the warning light about the malfunction of the TCM. The module is accessible from underneat and mounted to the transmission. A support beam needs to be removed to be able to slide it out of the transmission. It should be removed carefully since it has some extended arms that come out with it.
Audi denied any problem for several years, including denying I had any issues while mine was still under warranty. After many people experiencing the same problem a class action law suit was filed against Audi. Audi finally admitted the problem and under the suit, agreed to either repair the problem at no cost to the owner or reimburse the owner if they had already completed the repair. The kicker was Audi agreed to do this for cars under 100,000 miles....so you warranty on the problem is worthless.
The dealer would encourage you to do the replacement there since they get about $2,500 for the repair. You CAN have the module removed by a local shop and you can send it to a firm in Canada that will re-program it for you.
That is what I did and my cost was about $1,000 for the removal, including the cost to send the module overnight to Canada and have it sent back on an overnight basis. The module has to be programmed to the transmission, so you may or may not have to have that session at the dealership.
If you continue to drive with the blinking light, the module can create disaster with the transmission and could destroy it.
The issue does seem to be mileage related. You are lucky you went this long. The issue and law suit all surfaced about 3-4 years ago.
I hope that helps some from an education standpoint. My experience with Audi USA has been very disappointing.
Jassmaster....you are not going to like the information about your TCM. I had a 2003 A4 Cabriolet and had the same problem. I since learned that the problem is very common.
Audi has a software design flaw on the CVT. The Transmission Control Module goes out and can malfunction. It controls the functions of the transmission, so when it begins to go, there are some subtle signs, then the signs get more urgent. If your car is blinking the PRNDL light, you need to stop driving the car. That is the warning light about the malfunction of the TCM. The module is accessible from underneat and mounted to the transmission. A support beam needs to be removed to be able to slide it out of the transmission. It should be removed carefully since it has some extended arms that come out with it.
Audi denied any problem for several years, including denying I had any issues while mine was still under warranty. After many people experiencing the same problem a class action law suit was filed against Audi. Audi finally admitted the problem and under the suit, agreed to either repair the problem at no cost to the owner or reimburse the owner if they had already completed the repair. The kicker was Audi agreed to do this for cars under 100,000 miles....so you warranty on the problem is worthless.
The dealer would encourage you to do the replacement there since they get about $2,500 for the repair. You CAN have the module removed by a local shop and you can send it to a firm in Canada that will re-program it for you.
That is what I did and my cost was about $1,000 for the removal, including the cost to send the module overnight to Canada and have it sent back on an overnight basis. The module has to be programmed to the transmission, so you may or may not have to have that session at the dealership.
If you continue to drive with the blinking light, the module can create disaster with the transmission and could destroy it.
The issue does seem to be mileage related. You are lucky you went this long. The issue and law suit all surfaced about 3-4 years ago.
I hope that helps some from an education standpoint. My experience with Audi USA has been very disappointing.
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