A8 Issues
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,694
Likes: 490
From: Denver, NC
5,900 miles - started car after sitting and put in reverse - just creeped - no firm engagement as it had done every start until then. Also, all the warble noises appear only to be in A8 cars.
Shifts amazing - awesome. I think there are still bugs though. Maybe software, maybe physical.
Shifts amazing - awesome. I think there are still bugs though. Maybe software, maybe physical.
Last edited by Ed Ramberger; Nov 19, 2016 at 03:52 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,104
Likes: 626
From: Baton Rouge LA
There have been suggestions on other threads the shudder might in fact be a faulty design of the telt tensioner. Another is faulty AFM lifters, both of which sound more likely linked to a drivetrain shudder than the TC--but I'm using old-school mechanical principles in trying to sort this out. Since changing the TC doesn't seem to fix the shudder in many cases after a moderate time interval, I'm still thinking GM doesn't have a grip on this problem.
As that said, I must say that my A8 otherwise performs impeccably.
Last edited by iclick; Nov 19, 2016 at 06:51 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 127
Likes: 22
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 856
From: Walhalla South Carolina
I was the author of the Warble post and our issues didn't include anything but the warble type noise at or very close to 1500 RPM when on an incline and slight acceleration. Still no answer to this problem. GM has bought back a car and are in the process of disecting it to determine cause. So for 99% of the cars are base stingray A8 tranny. Good luck with your issue
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 106
From: Salado TX
If it is the TC is supposed to lock in AFM (V4), why does RPM decrease when it goes into V8 mode as in my case? You would think if the TC locks, RPM would go down. So is GM saying the TC is locking-unlocking so fast it creates a shudder? I'd also like for them to explain how the tach oscillation factors into this?
There have been suggestions on other threads the shudder might in fact be a faulty design of the telt tensioner. Another is faulty AFM lifters, both of which sound more likely linked to a drivetrain shudder than the TC--but I'm using old-school mechanical principles in trying to sort this out. Since changing the TC doesn't seem to fix the shudder in many cases after a moderate time interval, I'm still thinking GM doesn't have a grip on this problem.
As that said, I must say that my A8 otherwise performs impeccably.
There have been suggestions on other threads the shudder might in fact be a faulty design of the telt tensioner. Another is faulty AFM lifters, both of which sound more likely linked to a drivetrain shudder than the TC--but I'm using old-school mechanical principles in trying to sort this out. Since changing the TC doesn't seem to fix the shudder in many cases after a moderate time interval, I'm still thinking GM doesn't have a grip on this problem.
As that said, I must say that my A8 otherwise performs impeccably.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 106
From: Salado TX
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,382
Likes: 3,501
From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,250
Likes: 656
From: San Diego Ca
I am having some of the same issues with my '16 Z51. Weather in sport or any of the other modes besides track I can watch my tach move up and down about 200 rpm's. I'm not all that crazy about having some tech at my local dealership rip half of my car apart just to replace the converter or transmission. With only 2400 miles i can sit on it until it gets worse. What I did find is that no matter what mode Im in if I put it in Manual mode everything smoothes out. Today I was on I95 down here in SC and decided to drop it in Manual while driving in Touring, whala no tach movement or feelings through the pedal. That tells me that there may be FMS issues as well as transmission/torque converter. First off I didn't buy a performance car to have it go into V4 mode at any time. I asked the Tech Nerd in Corvette Mag about it and he was vague. Had to laugh when he said that if I was worried about the transmission maybe I should sell the car and get something else. This is my 7th Vette and Id rather fight than switch...
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,250
Likes: 656
From: San Diego Ca
I love mine. Does everything I could possibly want. It shifts for me when I want it to whether that is when I want to go slow or go fast and it lets me do the shifting when I feel like it and want to keep the revs up to hear the exhaust with the valves open.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 62
Likes: 10
The 2017 versions of the A8 are pretty good. It's the AFM I'm having trouble with on my 17 now that I never had an issue with on my former 2015. Like trading one issue for another.
Last edited by road-rocket; Nov 21, 2016 at 08:24 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,495
Likes: 1,263
From: Jacksonville FL
Buy a 2017 car and drive the Sh$$ out of it. Buy the extended GM warranty if you plan to keep the car longer than the powertrain warranty. It appears most of the A8 problems involving the torque converters occurred in the 15 and early 16 cars. I would have no problem buying a 2017 A8 car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 920
Likes: 87
Lets be honest and opened minded ....
Just the fact that this thread exists and continues , should answer ALL questions regarding the purchase of an A8 .
Sure cars may have rattles and noises ..even sub-par paint jobs at times.
But ongoing tranny problems and complaints ...for the most part not being corrected,should be a evidence enough to question a purchase of the size.
Just the fact that this thread exists and continues , should answer ALL questions regarding the purchase of an A8 .
Sure cars may have rattles and noises ..even sub-par paint jobs at times.
But ongoing tranny problems and complaints ...for the most part not being corrected,should be a evidence enough to question a purchase of the size.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,382
Likes: 3,501
From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
Lets be honest and opened minded ....
Just the fact that this thread exists and continues , should answer ALL questions regarding the purchase of an A8 .
Sure cars may have rattles and noises ..even sub-par paint jobs at times.
But ongoing tranny problems and complaints ...for the most part not being corrected,should be a evidence enough to question a purchase of the size.
Just the fact that this thread exists and continues , should answer ALL questions regarding the purchase of an A8 .
Sure cars may have rattles and noises ..even sub-par paint jobs at times.
But ongoing tranny problems and complaints ...for the most part not being corrected,should be a evidence enough to question a purchase of the size.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 109
Likes: 10
I agree with you. Even though the vast majority of drivers haven't had the issue, there are too many. I believe the main issue is defective parts installed. Poor quality control in regard to the company that supplies the parts maybe. I, and most others, have found the A8 to be fine so far. I have 22K on mine, that has a 10/15 build date, and it has been terrific. I drive the **** out of it too. Never any of the issues that some have had. And the fact that a few 2017 are having issues, and I mean very few, makes you wonder what part, or combination of defective parts is contributing to this.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,382
Likes: 3,501
From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,104
Likes: 626
From: Baton Rouge LA
It drives and shifts great in V8 mode, but is really annoying in V4 mode. It's a strange phenomenon. A significant number of cars shudder, but the great majority don't. I'm with you on thinking GM doesn't know what's going on.