01 S4 TIP and the dreaded P0741
 

I recently purchased this car with 110k, bone stock and when I ran the scanner before I bought it I only picked up a bad O2 sensor. Well now the CEL came back on and the code was P0741 Lock up clutch stuck off. I have done endless reading on this and other forums and the concensus is that 95% of the time the TC needs rebuilt. I am taking it to the Audi dealer today to have this confirmed. I'm praying I'm in the 5% that the fluid is low etc. If not has anyone actually pulled this themselves and sent it off to be rebuilt? I have done a lot of work to these cars timing belt, suspension work etc but never the tranny. I know it's time consuming ~11-15 hours for a good mechanic, but how difficult is it? I have an A4 for a dd so I'm in no hurry if I get the worst news. Funny thing is the transmission shifts fine and I don't detect any surging or lurching. I will keep this updated as most posts I read on this are never complete.

See if there is an independant Euro repair shop that can look at it for you. The stealerships get about $900 for a converter if it needed.
Ericksson industries rebuilds these converters for a fraction of the cost.

I did find one not far from me. I am going to give them a call to get a ballpark of what they charge for this job.

Okay so here is the update. I took it to an indy shop instead of the dealer as I figured it would be cheaper. They looked at it and said the torque converter is definitely not engaging and should be replaced per test drive and vag com scanner. They quoted my 350 plus labor for the converter and recommended a transmission kit overhaul while they are in there. What do you guys think about the over haul kit? I figure while it's out might as well spend the few hundred dollars to replace the other seals and minor parts. They said the transmission looks good and feels good so nothing major in there should need replaced, i.e. valve bodies plates etc. I think it's close to 2k out the door once everything is said and done. Also comes with a 12/12,000 mile warranty. I don't have the tools to get the car high enough to drop the tranny out or I might have attempted it myself. I will update this again once it is complete and I am driving it again. Something crazy though is 110K and it needs a tq replaced. That is something I have never encountered before.

damn.... that sucks.....socal by any chance?

I would have them just pop a converter in it , change the fluid & be on your way.

if money is ot a big issue for the extra seals and filter it is good peice of mind. would u want to go in in a year to replace seals? they may or may not leak thats just a chance!

That is why for my piece of mind and the whole "while you're in there" I will have them replace the seals etc. No, I am in Ohio unfortunatley. I hope to have it back around the 13th or so this month. I will let you know once I am able to drive it again and exactly what they tell me after the job is complete.

Well I finally got it back tonight and I can def. feel a difference in the car. It shifts smoother, I can feel the torque converter working and the car runs a lot better. Now I have to throw 2 O2 sensors and a valve cover gasket on and it should be complete. One thing I learned is that 99 percent of the time the TQ is bad when that code appears and you should park it asap before you roach the entire tranny.