SPONSORED LINKS

Transmission jerky

Tiny
438593839
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 AUDI A8
  • 4.0L
  • V8
  • TURBO
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 90,000 MILES
Hello experts,

I’m having an issue with my car listed above (A8L 4.0T’s) transmission (ZF 8 speed). First of all, it has a hard up shifting from first to second gear. It feels like the transmission doesn’t shift quick enough that the power stops for half second. Then second to third occasionally produces hard shifting but hardly noticeable. All other gears works fine when up shifting.

Then when slowing down to a stop, the fifth, fourth, third, second downshifting are also hard. Feel like extra brake is applied every time it changes gear. Then occasionally it shudders right before going to a full stop.

I’ve had transmission fluid changed but didn’t help. I also have slightly worn engine mount that I can feel some vibrations at lower RPM. Could weak engine mount cause the transmission to shift hard? Or is it something else like the torque converter etc?

Any information will be helpful and appreciated.
Thanks
SPONSORED LINKS
Friday, August 30th, 2019 AT 9:06 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

As far as the motor mounts, that shouldn't cause this. Have you had the vehicle scanned for transmission diagnostic trouble codes? These vehicles are extremely temperamental and can be difficult to work on. A hard shift can be related to several things. Transmission line pressure issues, shift solenoids, torque converter issues, issues with the transmission control module (TCM) or a simple wiring issue. Since the vehicle has an aluminum body, they often have issues with poor grounds due to corrosion.

Let me know if you had it scanned. Also, this isn't one that can be checked at a parts store. It will need to be scanned by a shop that has the proper equipment.

If you can, let me know if any diagnostic trouble codes are found.

Take care,
Joe
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, August 30th, 2019 AT 9:44 PM
Tiny
438593839
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Hi Joe,

Thank you so much for the reply. And I apologize for responding late. So I finally got a chance to take the car to a transmission specialist and ask them to check and scan it. They got back to me later saying that they had not found any fault code nor any obvious faulty parts in the transmission. However, they did tell me that it seemed like Audi had a TSB regarding TCU software updates; thus they suggested me to contact the dealership.

So do you think it could be a software issue that causes jerky shifting or it is more likely to be caused by damaged/malfunctioning parts within the transmission that can only be identified by disassembling the transmission (which the shop hasn't done yet)?

Thank you again for the help!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 8:55 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Welcome back:

Honestly, yes it could need reprogrammed, but I checked and don't see any technical service bulletins related to shifting. I attached a picture. It shows what transmissions TSB's are active.

You know, I owned a 2008 and my brother presently owns a 2012. Both cars have a crazy downshift that is noticeable. When coming to a stop, both clunk into first. His only has 40,000 on it. When I sold mine, it was at 150,000 miles. It acted that way from the time I got it at 30,000. Is that what you are feeling? Also, has anyone added transmission fluid to it? The wrong fluid can cause a rough shift. Also, I realize you took it to a transmission shop, but did the check the transmission fluid level and condition? The transmission needs to be a certain temp and the vehicle running when you remove the level plug from under the transmission. If it isn't running, fluid will go everywhere. I only ask because it is a pain to do and if someone doesn't have the ambition, they won't do it.

Let me know.

Joe
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 7:33 PM
Tiny
438593839
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Hi Joe,

Thanks again for the response. The TSB regarding TCM update is Group 37 #16-69 (see pictures). It was released on September 30, 2016. Yet I didn’t notice such shifting issues back then; it’s only a recent thing. But it seems like the TSB addressed the similar issue I’ve experienced so I’ll give it a try. I’ve scheduled for dealer visit next week so I’ll report back if the TSB helps or not.

Regarding the fluid, the shop did tell me that they checked fluid level as well as temperature but found nothing. I’m not 100% sure if they did it the correct way. But few month back I had a transmission flush done which was supposed to replace all the old fluid with new one (I used ZF Lifeguard 8). So I’m confident it shouldn’t be because of low fluid.

Anyways, thank you again for all the help! I’ll report back if the TSB solves the problem. :)
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 8:10 PM
Tiny
438593839
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Sorry forgot to attach the pictures. Here they are.
Images (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 8:15 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Welcome back:

I will watch for your reply. I'm interested in know for my brother as well.

Take care,
Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 8:23 PM
Tiny
438593839
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Hi Joe,

Sorry it took a while to report back. Finally got the car back from dealer. New TCU software was applied and now the shifting issue is gone. As for your brother’s there’s a TSB for its engine/transmission SW too so maybe it will fix the problem for his car as well. Refer to TSB 2033046/1. Be sure to pick a good dealer cuz mine was not willing to do TSB for out of warranty and even lied to me there’s no new SW to update.

Anyways all is good now. Thanks again for all the help!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, September 18th, 2019 AT 8:50 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Welcome back:

I'm glad to hear that took care of it. I have been through a lot on the model, so if you have questions in the future, let me know. Hopefully, I will be able to help.

Take care,
Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 19th, 2019 AT 6:42 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Transmission HARD SHIFT Content

Sponsored links