Help!! check engine light on, A6 stuck in first
12-08-2011, 11:12 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Help!! check engine light on, A6 stuck in first
Anyone heard of this before? Did a forum search and did not see any previous posts...
08 LS3, A6 w/ 13K miles
Driving home today, as I slowed to a stop the check engine light came on steady. Did a quick check-- No DIC messages, oil/coolant/tranny temps and oil pressure all reading normal. Engine sounds normal and no misfires or rough idling. No leaks, no smoke, no abnormal sounds.
Then when I started driving again, the A6 would not upshift. Stuck in first gear-- tried both D and S modes. The paddles shifters are not working either. Tranny feels normal, just won't shift.
Anyone have an idea what the problem might be?
Still under warranty so off to the dealer it will go. 20 mile drive to the dealer-- should I get a flatbed or drive it slow?
Thanks for your inputs/advice.
cheers, MIG
Pearl Harbor 70th Anniversary 
08 LS3, A6 w/ 13K miles
Driving home today, as I slowed to a stop the check engine light came on steady. Did a quick check-- No DIC messages, oil/coolant/tranny temps and oil pressure all reading normal. Engine sounds normal and no misfires or rough idling. No leaks, no smoke, no abnormal sounds.
Then when I started driving again, the A6 would not upshift. Stuck in first gear-- tried both D and S modes. The paddles shifters are not working either. Tranny feels normal, just won't shift.
Anyone have an idea what the problem might be?
Still under warranty so off to the dealer it will go. 20 mile drive to the dealer-- should I get a flatbed or drive it slow?
Thanks for your inputs/advice.
cheers, MIG
Pearl Harbor 70th Anniversary
12-08-2011, 11:18 PM
#2
Team Owner
My only suggestion is to read page 3-44 of the 2008 owner's manual, listed below.
If the Light Is On Steady
You might be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install the
cap. See Filling the Tank on page 5-8. The diagnostic
system can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel cap allows
fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving trips
with the cap properly installed should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your vehicle’s electrical system might be wet.
The condition is usually corrected when the electrical
system dries out. A few driving trips should turn the
light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel. See
Gasoline Octane on page 5-5. Poor fuel quality causes
the engine not to run as efficiently as designed. You
might notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling when
you put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation on
acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration—these
conditions might go away once the engine is warmed up.
This will be detected by the system and cause the light
to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least
one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn
off, your dealer/retailer can check the vehicle. Your
dealer/retailer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to fix any mechanical or electrical
problems that might have developed.
You might be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install the
cap. See Filling the Tank on page 5-8. The diagnostic
system can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel cap allows
fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving trips
with the cap properly installed should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your vehicle’s electrical system might be wet.
The condition is usually corrected when the electrical
system dries out. A few driving trips should turn the
light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel. See
Gasoline Octane on page 5-5. Poor fuel quality causes
the engine not to run as efficiently as designed. You
might notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling when
you put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation on
acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration—these
conditions might go away once the engine is warmed up.
This will be detected by the system and cause the light
to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least
one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn
off, your dealer/retailer can check the vehicle. Your
dealer/retailer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to fix any mechanical or electrical
problems that might have developed.
12-08-2011, 11:25 PM
#3
Instructor
First, if it won't go out of first, no way I would try driving it all the way to the dealer.
Regarding your issue, it sounds crazy- check engine is usually emissions related, so only guess I would have is some people say things get crazy on this gen when battery isn't full or is misbehaving and can throw all sorts of systems off.
On a related note, a lot of insurers offer free towing that distance, if you don't have that, look into it in the future (USAA is no nonsense, no out of pocket, others reimburse).
Regarding your issue, it sounds crazy- check engine is usually emissions related, so only guess I would have is some people say things get crazy on this gen when battery isn't full or is misbehaving and can throw all sorts of systems off.
On a related note, a lot of insurers offer free towing that distance, if you don't have that, look into it in the future (USAA is no nonsense, no out of pocket, others reimburse).
12-09-2011, 09:09 AM
#4
Tech Contributor
Member Since: Dec 2006
Location: Van Buren Arkansas
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Wounded Warrior Escort '11
I'm thinking off the top of my head that the connector to the transmission has come off or you've blown a fuse. Do the obvious things first to look and check, then if nothing is found, you'll need either a trip to the dealer or a code reader.
12-09-2011, 09:15 AM
#5
Le Mans Master
Flatbed to dealer. Hopefully you have towing insurance. Mine only costs a couple of dollars every 6 months so I can't imagine not buying that rider.
Good luck.
Good luck.
12-09-2011, 09:28 AM
#6
Advanced
Problem
I had transmission problems on my A4 when I bought a new C6 in 2005. My car would not change gears at all just like your car. I came to learn that if there is a tranny problem, it will just stay in 3rd gear and not shift at all. It was called "limp mode". It will get you to the dealer.
08-15-2016, 11:08 AM
#9
Melting Slicks
I've had similar problems with my 08 an now 13 GS.. happens after spirited driving and coming to a light that turns green when I just get done with heavy braking.. Weird and I haven't found an answer yet to what it is..
08-15-2016, 11:29 AM
#10
Cruising
Use the flat bed..... don't give the dealer any excuse to void the warranty. If something else should go wrong on your 15 mph trip, the dealer could come back and say that a 20 mile drive in 1st gear only could be negligence on your part......
08-15-2016, 11:35 AM
#11
Safety Car
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