2003 A6 Cvt Problems-MULTI TRONIC

[rlb]

Hi all.

My 2003 A6 3.0 CVT has given problems since day one. On several occasions the car jerked back violently and shuddered in reverse.
The dealership updated the CVT software and then when the problem did not go away, they actually replaced the entire CVT itself.

Now I get a slight shudder on low acceleration and just after braking to a stop.
It still shudders occassionaly in reverse.

The regional management tell me "This is a characteristic" of the CVT.
I don't buy it and will probably seek some legal recourse.

Has anyone had similar experiences with "characteristics" of the A6 CVT ?

[bhb399mm]

heard of similar problems with the CVT before the tip software upgrade... nothing that serious after the upgrade.. and with a new trans.

hmm... you sure they did the upgrade on the new trans?

[rlb]

The CVT was replaced and the software was updated twice.

The dealer also replaced the front rotors as they thought that was the cause of the shuddering.

I sometimes have a "flat" spot on slow acceleration and then the car lurches forward with quick wheelspin to compensate.

My research on Edmunds, Autobytel, internetautoguide, consumerguide, fastautosales and JD Powers shows no evidence of consumer reported "characteristics" like this.

I am trying to get an Audi engineer to drive the car. The dealership is not behaving.

This car tastes like a lemon.

[bhb399mm]

Originally posted by rlb@Jan 26 2005, 02:51 PM
This car tastes like a lemon.

Quoted post

sounds like one... too bad.. hate to hear it when audis dont work well. keep us posted

[eagles2323]

I've had similar problems with my 2003 A4 CVT...brough it in twice and they've told me it was fixed both times. of course, in a day or two the problems return. my problem occurs mostly when slowing to a stop, the car will thump or jerk to a stop. sometimes it will do it so hard, like at a stop light, that when i go to accelerate again, it refuses to go, as if the gear won't catch.

i've done some research on the problem to see if it's common, and it seems it is...it almost seems as if it's typical or accepted of the CVTs in the newer cars.

my main question to everyone is: is this problem simply a nuisance? or is it something that will gradually damage the transmission over time?

if it's something that won't cause long term damage, i guess i can live with it, as the rest of the car experience has been great. any advice?

[thehebbies]

We're having a problem with a late 2001 A6 avant. It'a fitted with the 2.5 v6 tdi, has the Multitronic CVT system, and has done 140,000 miles.

The problem we're having is that the car seems to shudder, but not in reverse like some people have reported. It happens when driving forward, at pretty much any speed. It's not a violent shudder, something more akin to a manual car with a dodgy clutch.

As there's absolutely shedloads of torque, the "box", always seems to try and find the lowest possible gearing and this is when the problem occurs. You can put the car in "manual" mode and if you keep the revs above about 2000 - where in a normal car you'd have no reason to do anything with the clutch - the car works grear albeit with rather poor economy.

The gearbox also seems to "hunt", almost oscillate between two ratios. It's as if it's looking for the ultimate ratio, changes into a higher ratio, then decides that it's a bit too high, and changes down again. Then, about a second later it'll change back into the higher ratio, then back into lower ratio, ad infinitum. You just hear the engine note rise a little, and see the rev needle going up...And then down....And then up...And then down...

So from this, we reckon that the wet multiplate clutch is needing replaced. The car was in our local franchise so they did an "Oilchange Service" on the box but to no avail. According to the receptionist/service manager if that didn't solve the problem we need a new gearbox....But speaking to the head mechanic Audi have had a design change from, I forget the numbers exactly but something like, a five plate clutch to a seven plate clutch. Apparently there's even a modification kit available.

The franchise is a small place and doesn't have a lot of room to engage in fairly involved vorspring durch Technik type activities, but I'm sure somebody somewhere will have done it.

Any similar experiences anybody?

We recently bought the car in a private sale and the manufacturers warranty has expired. So we're left no option but to try and find the solution ourselves...Or pay the dealer a lot of money for a new gearbox.

[mspence]

We have a 2003 Audi A6 and are encountering shuddering during low accceleration. Downton Audi (Toronto) says there is nothing wrong with the car. Right!!!

Can you recommend what to tell the dealer to get this problem fixed?

Ticked in Toronto

[Drsplib]

My '02 A6 multitronic has developed the exact same problem - at 1400rpm the transmission surges up and down 100 rpm continually - which is very noticable at slow speed/high torque (pulling away up a hill.)
Took it into the dealer today who has advised repalcing the clutchplate. Any idea how much i'm looking at for this?
It's booked in for the 17th this month so i'll let you know if it solves the problem.

[Drsplib]

Update on earlier post - the mechanic looked at my CVT yesterday and tells me that this jerkiness problem is something that he's seen several times before and knows how to fix. As above, the problem is the clutch becoming worn on the front clutch (needs upgrading), plus the CVT box needs a lubricant change every 40K miles. Cost for this service will be £1,175. Thank God i have a 3 month warranty from the dealership i bought it from... it's going in at the end of the month so i'll let y'all know how it goes.

[Drsplib]

Got my A6 back today after they upgraded the clutch to 7 plates - this has completely cured my CVT jerkiness problem, plus it was covered under the manufacturers warranty. Phew!
Apparently Audi have known for ages that the CVT clutch has needed upgrading on this engine, but hasn't recalled the cars - sneaky gits.