Replacing A8 without a warranty would be $$$$$$$.
A8 Issues
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 557
I have an early 2016 A8. Just hit 1k miles with no issues other than a wawawa sound between 2500 and 3000 rpm. No vibration or tach jumping. But then I am always in manual mode as I can't stand leaving it in auto. Now I'm going to drive around in auto a bit to see if I have any of the described issues.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 701
Likes: 179
From: Muskoka ontario
Thanks for the info. Stingray Corvette is only 100 miles away from us if and when I need their help.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 701
Likes: 179
From: Muskoka ontario
Doug.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 701
Likes: 179
From: Muskoka ontario
Just to provide some additional info for you....I just came back from a drive in a 40 MPH zone, straight level road.
*engaged cruise control at 40 mph , V4 mode showing, tach completely steady with no movement at all ( yes, I had my glasses on).
* moved shift lever from D to M , one very minor tach movement as the the engine switched back to V8 mode. Drove a few miles in V8 mode and the tach was completely steady, no up and down movement at all. I observed this for several miles.
* moved shift selector back to D, and within a second or two the engine switched back to V4 and the tach moved a small amount during the switch and again remained steady.
I think this is how it was designed to work ,IMO,
Also, the service mgr has the ability to talk to GM engineering people directly when ever they have a shop issue that they are having trouble dealing with. I would hope he has started that process for you.
*engaged cruise control at 40 mph , V4 mode showing, tach completely steady with no movement at all ( yes, I had my glasses on).
* moved shift lever from D to M , one very minor tach movement as the the engine switched back to V8 mode. Drove a few miles in V8 mode and the tach was completely steady, no up and down movement at all. I observed this for several miles.
* moved shift selector back to D, and within a second or two the engine switched back to V4 and the tach moved a small amount during the switch and again remained steady.
I think this is how it was designed to work ,IMO,
Also, the service mgr has the ability to talk to GM engineering people directly when ever they have a shop issue that they are having trouble dealing with. I would hope he has started that process for you.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,104
Likes: 626
From: Baton Rouge LA
I'll be glad to do that if anyone feels it will help them out. I assume a video with CC engaged, tranny in Drive, and holding 65mph is what is needed.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 106
From: Salado TX
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,596
Likes: 120
From: East Tennessee
I would do it but there is no place flat enough where it stays in V4 for a while with the cruise on. How long before yours starts oscillating like that, does it happen right away?
If yours starts doing it as soon as its in V4 a steady 65-70 with the cruise on then I can video it next time out. Like I posted earlier, my rpm only varies when it switched to V8/V8 with the cruise on.
FWIW my wife has a '15 Trailhawk that is on its third trans in 10K miles. Seen your post on cherokee club, I dont post there just read about the problems but she wont give up that stupid car lol.
If yours starts doing it as soon as its in V4 a steady 65-70 with the cruise on then I can video it next time out. Like I posted earlier, my rpm only varies when it switched to V8/V8 with the cruise on.
FWIW my wife has a '15 Trailhawk that is on its third trans in 10K miles. Seen your post on cherokee club, I dont post there just read about the problems but she wont give up that stupid car lol.
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 106
From: Salado TX
I would do it but there is no place flat enough where it stays in V4 for a while with the cruise on. How long before yours starts oscillating like that, does it happen right away?
If yours starts doing it as soon as its in V4 a steady 65-70 with the cruise on then I can video it next time out. Like I posted earlier, my rpm only varies when it switched to V8/V8 with the cruise on.
FWIW my wife has a '15 Trailhawk that is on its third trans in 10K miles. Seen your post on cherokee club, I dont post there just read about the problems but she wont give up that stupid car lol.
If yours starts doing it as soon as its in V4 a steady 65-70 with the cruise on then I can video it next time out. Like I posted earlier, my rpm only varies when it switched to V8/V8 with the cruise on.
FWIW my wife has a '15 Trailhawk that is on its third trans in 10K miles. Seen your post on cherokee club, I dont post there just read about the problems but she wont give up that stupid car lol.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 76
From: Bedford Va.
Ernest_T
I have an early 2016 A8 I did have a few delayed 1-2 shifts when new(under 500 miles) at first start up. I also had maybe two harsh 2-1 or 3-1 downshifts but it all seemed to work itself out with miles.
I have 3500 miles now but the car has sat for weeks.
Snow salt and cold weather has put a stop on driving the car.
I had taken about a 900 mile trip after the first oil change (z51 500 mile) and never noticed the tach movement like in your video.
I drove in V4, manual and D.
Any other highway driving has not shown anything unusual.
I can detect the V4 to V8 change but I expect to feel this.
Is it possible that something other than the trans is causing this
tach fluctuation?
Could the dealer do a live scan when the car was test driven and confirm the lockup status of the torque converter?
I sure does look like the converter is going in and out of lockup.
I have an early 2016 A8 I did have a few delayed 1-2 shifts when new(under 500 miles) at first start up. I also had maybe two harsh 2-1 or 3-1 downshifts but it all seemed to work itself out with miles.
I have 3500 miles now but the car has sat for weeks.
Snow salt and cold weather has put a stop on driving the car.
I had taken about a 900 mile trip after the first oil change (z51 500 mile) and never noticed the tach movement like in your video.
I drove in V4, manual and D.
Any other highway driving has not shown anything unusual.
I can detect the V4 to V8 change but I expect to feel this.
Is it possible that something other than the trans is causing this
tach fluctuation?
Could the dealer do a live scan when the car was test driven and confirm the lockup status of the torque converter?
I sure does look like the converter is going in and out of lockup.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 630
Likes: 94
[Quote= I equate this to the controversial BMW motorcycle threads about failed final drives. If you read the forums, your motorcycle's final drive will fail, because it is an endemic issue that BMW cannot/will not solve, or admit exists...]
Your point is well taken. How many years did BMW make the bike without a final drive drain plug? 4 or 5 years, perhaps?
I change fluid in my 2012 every 10k miles. And, use Mobil 1 75w-90.
(which BTW, is superior to the Castrol counterpart sold at Beemer dealer for twice the price)
Straying off topic a bit..... Cheers, Everyone
Steve
Your point is well taken. How many years did BMW make the bike without a final drive drain plug? 4 or 5 years, perhaps?
I change fluid in my 2012 every 10k miles. And, use Mobil 1 75w-90.
(which BTW, is superior to the Castrol counterpart sold at Beemer dealer for twice the price)
Straying off topic a bit..... Cheers, Everyone
Steve
Last edited by SteveSoCal; Jan 29, 2016 at 01:07 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 106
From: Salado TX
The dealer has been patient with me and after messing with the car for four days has decided they can't find anything wrong with it. They gave me a copy of a TSB that GM put out to trouble shoot and fix the exact issues I'm having. The bottom line is, if the procedure doesn't work, there is a torque converter issue. Here's the rub though--this only applies to V8 mode. It says the same symptoms in V4 mode are perfectly normal. I don't have a copy of the TSB with me, but I'll post it later.
I've sent them a link to the video above so we'll see what happens.
I've sent them a link to the video above so we'll see what happens.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 106
From: Salado TX
Here's a video of a test run I did today showing tach steadiness at cruise.
https://youtu.be/lYFHB30rbps
Also, there's new thread on this topic here.
https://youtu.be/lYFHB30rbps
Also, there's new thread on this topic here.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 106
From: Salado TX
Here's the TSB they showed me.
The circled part says its no applicable if ithappens in V4 mode.
It also says this has been superseded. Anyone know what replaced it?
The circled part says its no applicable if ithappens in V4 mode.
It also says this has been superseded. Anyone know what replaced it?
Last edited by Ernest_T; Feb 2, 2016 at 08:31 AM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 434
Likes: 49
We Are All In The Same Boat!
To all of the 2015 A8 owners:
We all have the same TC/ Transmission, with the same defective parts or design. Given the automated assembly process, I believe we are all in the same boat. Sooner or later, depending on driving habits, climate, maintenance, storage, mileage, etc. we all can expect the same problems. My car, a little over a year old, with only 4200 miles, already exhibits the shuddering that others have described. This did not happen when the car was new.
GM should acknowledge the problem and call these vehicles in for repair, in stead of dealing with the problem on a one at a time basis as these cars break down.
We all have the same TC/ Transmission, with the same defective parts or design. Given the automated assembly process, I believe we are all in the same boat. Sooner or later, depending on driving habits, climate, maintenance, storage, mileage, etc. we all can expect the same problems. My car, a little over a year old, with only 4200 miles, already exhibits the shuddering that others have described. This did not happen when the car was new.
GM should acknowledge the problem and call these vehicles in for repair, in stead of dealing with the problem on a one at a time basis as these cars break down.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 162
Likes: 60
From: Melbourne Beach, Florida
To all of the 2015 A8 owners:
We all have the same TC/ Transmission, with the same defective parts or design. Given the automated assembly process, I believe we are all in the same boat. Sooner or later, depending on driving habits, climate, maintenance, storage, mileage, etc. we all can expect the same problems. My car, a little over a year old, with only 4200 miles, already exhibits the shuddering that others have described. This did not happen when the car was new.
GM should acknowledge the problem and call these vehicles in for repair, in stead of dealing with the problem on a one at a time basis as these cars break down.
We all have the same TC/ Transmission, with the same defective parts or design. Given the automated assembly process, I believe we are all in the same boat. Sooner or later, depending on driving habits, climate, maintenance, storage, mileage, etc. we all can expect the same problems. My car, a little over a year old, with only 4200 miles, already exhibits the shuddering that others have described. This did not happen when the car was new.
GM should acknowledge the problem and call these vehicles in for repair, in stead of dealing with the problem on a one at a time basis as these cars break down.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,596
Likes: 120
From: East Tennessee
IMO, unless the car is not driveable I would wait for the revised parts, otherwise it will happen again if 'all' of them are bad. Why rip apart a car twice..
My guess is there will be a software flash soon that will change the TC lockup behavior in those ranges (or there already is one on the later cars) - WAY cheaper than replacing torque converters.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 162
Likes: 60
From: Melbourne Beach, Florida
I doubt that date means anything, the TSB dated Jan 20th 2016 says a revised torque converter will be available 'soon.'
IMO, unless the car is not driveable I would wait for the revised parts, otherwise it will happen again if 'all' of them are bad. Why rip apart a car twice..
My guess is there will be a software flash soon that will change the TC lockup behavior in those ranges (or there already is one on the later cars) - WAY cheaper than replacing torque converters.
IMO, unless the car is not driveable I would wait for the revised parts, otherwise it will happen again if 'all' of them are bad. Why rip apart a car twice..
My guess is there will be a software flash soon that will change the TC lockup behavior in those ranges (or there already is one on the later cars) - WAY cheaper than replacing torque converters.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,596
Likes: 120
From: East Tennessee
My understanding is, from other forum members and speaking with a very knowledgeable service manager, on the production line a change was made mid-Oct. It makes sense (availability wise) that the revised TC would show up first on the production line and be released at a later date for a stand alone replacement.
You can believe what you wish, but the TSB clearly states the revised converter is not available yet. If cars were produced with the newer converter already the TSB would say does not apply to cars built after whatever date. But like the October thing that is just speculation
Either way, I still wouldnt have a converter replaced until I was sure the revised part is available and that was what was getting installed. Some people have mentioned their dealer waiting on converters and they were just released, so its possible the revised converter is already released, the TSB is a couple weeks old..