My '02 TT X50 Tip has developed a "chug" at 3500 rpm in 2nd. I always shift manually and regardless of how aggressive I am driving I get a "jolt" about 1-2000 rpm after I shift into second.

The dealership said it might have to do with the torque converter locking up?

Anyone else seen this behavior?

 

I don't have anything like that in my TipS, but mine is a NA 996.

 

About 3000rpm on trailing throttle in 2nd while in traffic. Almost as if there's a fuel cut-off coming into play.

 

There is a TSB about a problem that sounds similar to what you have described. The symptoms include, inter alia, a hesitation/stutter in second gear (in the 2-3000 rpm range) and a grinding sound at very low rpms (e.g., below 1700) in third gear. The problem is generally intermittent and caused by stop and go driving. The Tip ECU defaults to an inappropriate program to accomodate the stop and go driving. As stated, the problem is intermittent, and may not occur for many months and extended stop and go driving. The problem can be temporarily remedied by extended highway driving, which causes the Tip ECU to revert back to its normal program. The fix is a new Tip ECU (the dealer will replace the ECU under warranty).

Try the following: find an open highway (minimal traffic) and drive 20+ mins at 70+ mph without stopping or slowing. If the problem goes away, it is likely the issue addressed by the TSB.

Also try starting in first gear, and running the rpms up to 5500+ before shifting to second, such that you are above the stutter/hesitation range (2-3000 rpms) upon hitting second gear. If you don't experience the stutter, it is likely the TSB problem.

Finally, the TSB stutter/hesitation problem only occurs after starting from a full stop, as opposed to reducing your rpms while in motion. Thus, try driving in second gear and, after the first hesitation/stutter, drop your rpms back down and go back through the stutter/hesitation range. If you don't experience the stutter/hesitation on the second pass through 2-3000 rpms in second gear, it is likely the TSB problem.

If you have the TSB problem, have your dealer order a new Tip ECU.

Good luck,

 

Ask your dealer to review TSB 5/02 3701 Tiptronic Transmission Noises (Driving noises/jerking during acceleration.) -- dated 2-14-03. This has the procedure to correct your problem.

 

I really appreciate the help. Off to find an open piece of highway )not easy in SoCal...)

Thanks

 

In accordance with the TSB, the local dealer is pulling the TIP ECU and replacing.

Thanks, again, for the help