Tiptronic works intermittently

[STS]

I have a 2001 996 with the Triptronic transmission. Whether i shift to M or D I tend to have problems with the Tip paddles allowing me to shift. Some days it works perfect and I am able to manually shift in M and D perfectly. Then the next time I get in the car it may work until I get 5 minutes down the road and then it defaults into auto-shift mode and will not let me manually shift using the paddles. I have tried debug by disconnecting the battery and resetting. Sometimes when it will not let me shift I have tried to turn the car off and back on. But that doesn’t work. Then there are times when it is not working/manually shifting and after a stoplight the Tip shifting is functional again??? Does anyone have any advice for me and my technician? Thanks

[Loren]

Has the ATF been changed recently?

Was Porsche spec ATF used?

Most Tip issues are weak or failed solenoids.

 

[STS]

Loren,

 

Thanks for your time and reply. I purchased the car in March of 2023 and have not changed the ATF. I went through CarFax and found some maintenance details. But nothing regarding the transmission being serviced. I am due for an oil change in about 1,500 miles and my Porsche tech did recommend me getting the transmission serviced.

 

Question: Could the ATF needing to be changed potentially cause my Tip to occasionally not allow me to shift manually with the paddles?

 

If the above ATF change/transmission servicing does not solve the issue, it also sounds like you feel we should potentially start replacing solenoids. It is my understanding that there is one that is fairly easy to get to externally and thus less expensive to replace than one that is deeper in. So maybe start there and see how that does.

 

Thanks again for your time and advice. I am interested to know if the ATF could really be the cause of the issue.

 

Todd

 

[Loren]

History has shown the Tip to be sensitive to worn-out or dirty ATF. It can cause all kinds of erratic operation. Make sure the fill is done properly also with the fill level checked at the proper ATF temperature.

 

That would be the place I would start. Everything else will require special diagnostic tools and more cost.

[STS]

Loren,

 

Thanks so much for the information and advice. I will pass the info on to my Porsche tech and will schedule the ATF service with my oil change coming up soon.

 

I truly appreciate your help and time.

 

Thank you,

Todd

[STS]

Loren,

 

I am dropping my 2001 996 with Tip transmission off today to have the transmission serviced as you recommended before due to the Tip shifting working intermittently and not consistent.

 

I am having a very hard time finding the Porsche recommended ATF for my 2001 996. Many searches end up talking about a manual transmission or a 996.2 instead of mine. Do you have any recommendations for a reference point or for the fluid? I read that Pelican is suggesting ATF 6. But someone mentioned that is not approved by Porsche and they are recommending due to Pentosin no longer producing ATF 1. I am amazed that it is so difficult to just search and find the proper ATF for a specific model.

 

Any help or advice as to where I can search would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Todd

[Loren]

[STS]

Terrific. Thanks for the help!