Stupid question -- but is it not possible to simply disconnect wiring for existing kick down switch? Fault code?

 

There is no wire. The kickdown switch of PDK is only a mechanical click, and I drove the car without this 'switch'. I have no doubt that the upshift is generated by the end travel of potentiometer that control the electronic accelerator.

I did not find on the international market a software to disable electronically the kickdown function of PDK. There are several options for automatic models BMW, Audi, MB, etc., but not for Porsche PDK.

 

Do not worry Nogabiker. You have WOT without the kickdown, full manual control, it will bang into the rev limiter without upshifting !
What they are referring to is, when you push through a very noticeable pressure point at WOT (100% throttle), you go one stage further to kickdown mode (100% throttle and kickdown), and then indeed you have a kickdown even when in manual mode.

But this is a non issue as that point from WOT to kickdown is very noticeable and easy to manage if you want WOT or WOT with kickdown !

 

I agree with you bccars. When driving the PDK in the streets and roads there is no problem because it is easy to realize the difference on accelerator pedal, between the full throttle more the kickdown button.

However, on circuits where we are exploring the car to the maximum, always near the rev limit and there are other participants next, it is likely to press the accelerator and not notice the difference (as I did).

Sorry my English. Using Google Translator.

 

Ah, okay. Thank you for that explanation. Makes perfect sense.

 

So I'd read about this 'feature' a bit but hadn't experienced in person on my car or the 991S I test drove extensively. Was doing some spirited driving today on the highway (light traffic) in Sport/Manual shift modes and was very surprised when a heavy stomp on the accelerator kicked it down to 2nd gear... as you can imagine on the highway going 65-70mph I was immediately up past 6k rpms and actually a bit stunned, took me a couple seconds to realize what had happened and shifted a few times to get back to a reasonable rev range.

I tested it again and with some practice I think I could avoid the kickdown but I must say I do not like it at all... its not remotely a deal breaker though, the rest of my drive was brilliant and the PDK performed like a champ. Plus the sound!

That said it is something I'd like to resolve/remove...

For those that have addressed this I'd be interested in understanding what exactly you did to prevent/block the kickdown switch from being activated. If I understand correctly it may actually be more about pedal travel than the switch itself but either way, if there is a simple fix that doesn't involve removing the pedal assembly I'm all ears!

 

Hello Vise, in my car I locked the pedal travel exactly the point where will enable the kickdown (pedal is harder).

After disconnect the electrical plug and remove the accelerator pedal (only one screw philips), I thought of two ways to do this:

# 1. remove the click button (switch) that emulates the kickdown and make another hand-made in nylon to install in same place.
# 2. secure with glue a rectangular piece in the suface that limits pedal travel to stop the accelerator.

I chose the first option, that takes more work, but I thought it would be safer.

The heat on the floor next to the accelerator pedal could loosen the glue, and the system fails on circuits.

I hope the photos will help you to understand what I wrote.

Sorry my English. Using Google Translator

 

I have been driving my 991S on the street and decided that I really don't like the kickdown when in manual mode. And I don't think I would miss it in auto mode. So being a mechanical engineer I decided to make a kickdown eliminator. It will be the same size as the OEM button but will not collapse when pressed. So the driver will be able to push the accelerator pedal hard to the floor without causing a downshift. The good thing is that the button is very easy to remove or replace if it was desired to go back to stock. My question is how many people would be interested in this? And what price would you be willing to pay?
As I said I am building a prototype now to verify dimensions and should be ready to place an order next week.
Let me know if interested.

 

I have been driving with the kickdown eliminator for a while now. I like it, don't see any downside to it. In auto mode it still downshifts if you floor it. For example if I am driving along at 55 mph in 6th or 7th and put the pedal to the floor, it downshifts to 3rd. It"might" take a fraction of a second longer than with the kickdown but I see very little difference.

 

Does this Disable Launch Control?

 

Eldertech - Does launch control work if you push the pedal until it just contacts the kickdown switch (but does not depress it)? If so, then the kickdown eliminator would not change anything.

 

No it doesn't

 

Quickly press the accelerator down fully (kickdown activated) and hold it. The engine speed will level off at around 6,500 rpm. "Launch Control active" is displayed on the multi-function display.