Audi's MultiTronic Gearbox
Discussion
Tame Technician said:
I stand by to be slated here, but My opinion is a valid one too.
MULTI-TRONIC IS THE SINGLE WORSE GEARBOX I HAVE EVERY HAD THE MISFORTUNE TO DRIVE AND WORK ON.
Is the only gearbox in Audi's that has any kind of reliability problems, all the others are fine, DSG is a bit iffy. But please dont listen to any of the above posts, do your self a big favor and get a manual gearbox, if you simply must have auto, make sure its a quarto with tip-tronic.
I work on Audi's for a living, and I can tell you with have nothing but trouble with these, and they don't even drive very nice when they are working, which usually isn't for long. ECU replacement is common, valve body not so much, modified or replacement clutch packs/input shaft assy is a daily occurrence, and complete box failier + replacement is pretty common to, and they cost £5000. (thats more than the cars worth is its a 53 plate A4 for example)
I surely cant be the only one who thinks this.
+1MULTI-TRONIC IS THE SINGLE WORSE GEARBOX I HAVE EVERY HAD THE MISFORTUNE TO DRIVE AND WORK ON.
Is the only gearbox in Audi's that has any kind of reliability problems, all the others are fine, DSG is a bit iffy. But please dont listen to any of the above posts, do your self a big favor and get a manual gearbox, if you simply must have auto, make sure its a quarto with tip-tronic.
I work on Audi's for a living, and I can tell you with have nothing but trouble with these, and they don't even drive very nice when they are working, which usually isn't for long. ECU replacement is common, valve body not so much, modified or replacement clutch packs/input shaft assy is a daily occurrence, and complete box failier + replacement is pretty common to, and they cost £5000. (thats more than the cars worth is its a 53 plate A4 for example)
I surely cant be the only one who thinks this.
Edited by Tame Technician on Sunday 10th August 21:57
The delay pulling out at junctions is a health hazard to...
Tame Technician said:
I stand by to be slated here, but My opinion is a valid one too.
MULTI-TRONIC IS THE SINGLE WORSE GEARBOX I HAVE EVERY HAD THE MISFORTUNE TO DRIVE AND WORK ON.
Is the only gearbox in Audi's that has any kind of reliability problems, all the others are fine, DSG is a bit iffy. But please dont listen to any of the above posts, do your self a big favor and get a manual gearbox, if you simply must have auto, make sure its a quarto with tip-tronic.
I work on Audi's for a living, and I can tell you with have nothing but trouble with these, and they don't even drive very nice when they are working, which usually isn't for long. ECU replacement is common, valve body not so much, modified or replacement clutch packs/input shaft assy is a daily occurrence, and complete box failier + replacement is pretty common to, and they cost £5000. (thats more than the cars worth is its a 53 plate A4 for example)
I surely cant be the only one who thinks this.
I sell audis for a living and wont sell Audi Autos unless under manufacturers warranty for all of the above.MULTI-TRONIC IS THE SINGLE WORSE GEARBOX I HAVE EVERY HAD THE MISFORTUNE TO DRIVE AND WORK ON.
Is the only gearbox in Audi's that has any kind of reliability problems, all the others are fine, DSG is a bit iffy. But please dont listen to any of the above posts, do your self a big favor and get a manual gearbox, if you simply must have auto, make sure its a quarto with tip-tronic.
I work on Audi's for a living, and I can tell you with have nothing but trouble with these, and they don't even drive very nice when they are working, which usually isn't for long. ECU replacement is common, valve body not so much, modified or replacement clutch packs/input shaft assy is a daily occurrence, and complete box failier + replacement is pretty common to, and they cost £5000. (thats more than the cars worth is its a 53 plate A4 for example)
I surely cant be the only one who thinks this.
Edited by Tame Technician on Sunday 10th August 21:57
local gearbox rebuild place wont repair them as they have to give a 12 month warranty and they dont last that long
there advice was if you want an auto by a bmw or Merc.
MrSnow said:
Tame Technician said:
I stand by to be slated here, but My opinion is a valid one too.
MULTI-TRONIC IS THE SINGLE WORSE GEARBOX I HAVE EVERY HAD THE MISFORTUNE TO DRIVE AND WORK ON.
Is the only gearbox in Audi's that has any kind of reliability problems, all the others are fine, DSG is a bit iffy. But please dont listen to any of the above posts, do your self a big favor and get a manual gearbox, if you simply must have auto, make sure its a quarto with tip-tronic.
I work on Audi's for a living, and I can tell you with have nothing but trouble with these, and they don't even drive very nice when they are working, which usually isn't for long. ECU replacement is common, valve body not so much, modified or replacement clutch packs/input shaft assy is a daily occurrence, and complete box failier + replacement is pretty common to, and they cost £5000. (thats more than the cars worth is its a 53 plate A4 for example)
I surely cant be the only one who thinks this.
+1MULTI-TRONIC IS THE SINGLE WORSE GEARBOX I HAVE EVERY HAD THE MISFORTUNE TO DRIVE AND WORK ON.
Is the only gearbox in Audi's that has any kind of reliability problems, all the others are fine, DSG is a bit iffy. But please dont listen to any of the above posts, do your self a big favor and get a manual gearbox, if you simply must have auto, make sure its a quarto with tip-tronic.
I work on Audi's for a living, and I can tell you with have nothing but trouble with these, and they don't even drive very nice when they are working, which usually isn't for long. ECU replacement is common, valve body not so much, modified or replacement clutch packs/input shaft assy is a daily occurrence, and complete box failier + replacement is pretty common to, and they cost £5000. (thats more than the cars worth is its a 53 plate A4 for example)
I surely cant be the only one who thinks this.
Edited by Tame Technician on Sunday 10th August 21:57
The delay pulling out at junctions is a health hazard to...
The worst auto gearbox Ive ever driven and half of the cars Ive sold with one have gone on to have serious ££££ problems(which Ive had to pay the bill for)
Unless covered by a good warranty DON'T TOUCH ONE WITH A BARGEPOLE!!...
I have an A6 1.9 TDi Avant Sport Multitronic, it has covered just 60k in its 5 years but recently the gear selector display on the dash has been flashing(intermittently), yet the car drives all ok.
The code reading reported the problem as an 'output speed sensor 2'. I spoke with Audi and they tell me it requires a gearbox ecu at a cost of approx £600 plus transmission fluid plus labour etc etc.
Can the ecu/sensor be repaired or does anyone have any suggestions to getting this sorted at a much cheaper cost.
Many thanks
Matt
The code reading reported the problem as an 'output speed sensor 2'. I spoke with Audi and they tell me it requires a gearbox ecu at a cost of approx £600 plus transmission fluid plus labour etc etc.
Can the ecu/sensor be repaired or does anyone have any suggestions to getting this sorted at a much cheaper cost.
Many thanks
Matt
I fitted one this afternoon, for the same reason. Is a common failier and there is no repair, you need new ECU + five litres of multi-tronic oil and a few bolts and gaskets. About 1.0 - 1.5 hours labour.
If its driving ok and only playing up from time to time, you could sell it quick.
If its driving ok and only playing up from time to time, you could sell it quick.
I've been the owner of a 2002 A6 2.5TDi CVT for just over a week now. I wish I could say proud owner, but all I will say is that this will definately be the LAST Audi I buy! It took 3 days for the Multitronic gearbox to start playing up and today I have just ordered a replacement! My car has a full Audi service history with all the required maintenance done when it should have been. I wish I had done more research on the subject of this gearbox, but to my cost I didn't. Every gearbox specialist I have spoken to have said that this is the most expensive and most unreliable gearbox they have had to rebuild.
I have been disappointed by the reliability issues I have had with the 4 Audis that I've owned, my previous 1.9TDi A6 kept breaking and cost a fortune to service, my TT 225 roadster was very problematic and expensive to repair and my A4 1.8T Sport used to eat clutches and brakes for fun... surely this is not normal for a car maker of this stature? The dealerships seem to be arrogant and unhelpful unless you have your VISA card to hand! This really has made me feel that Japanese is the way to go!!!!
My advice to anyone who is thinking of buying a car with one of these gearboxes fitted to it is.... DON'T DO IT! If it has had a replacement gearbox and has a warranty then you might save some money, but overall I think that the manual option is the most sensible one.
I hate to knock it, the car itself is great and before the problems it was a dream to drive and incredibly econimical, but the repair costs far outweigh any advantages.
I have been disappointed by the reliability issues I have had with the 4 Audis that I've owned, my previous 1.9TDi A6 kept breaking and cost a fortune to service, my TT 225 roadster was very problematic and expensive to repair and my A4 1.8T Sport used to eat clutches and brakes for fun... surely this is not normal for a car maker of this stature? The dealerships seem to be arrogant and unhelpful unless you have your VISA card to hand! This really has made me feel that Japanese is the way to go!!!!
My advice to anyone who is thinking of buying a car with one of these gearboxes fitted to it is.... DON'T DO IT! If it has had a replacement gearbox and has a warranty then you might save some money, but overall I think that the manual option is the most sensible one.
I hate to knock it, the car itself is great and before the problems it was a dream to drive and incredibly econimical, but the repair costs far outweigh any advantages.
I've just taken delivery of a brand new A6 Avant 2.0 Tdi Multitronic. My first Audi after a string of faultless BMW's and Merc's, most with big engines and all with auto boxes, the last being an E280. Now I am pretty worried about the gearbox having read this forum. The delayed response from standstill, at junctions etc. is bad...very bad. I thought it was missing a gear or trying to pull away in 2nd but now I see that this is a 'feature' of the box. You have to hit the 'go' pedal BEFORE it is safe to pull out just so that it gets up to steam by the time it IS safe to pull out. It is also quite noisy and you are aware it is a diesel from the vibration. So far struggling to reach 35 mpg yet averaged 40mpg over two years on the Merc with a 50% bigger engine and 50% more cylinders. Do the techs from Audi ever read these forums and think about doing something about the problems? HEY AUDI... IT AIN'T RIGHT AND IT AIN'T GETTING BETTER BY IGNORING IT!!
The rest of the car is nice except that without a squab angle adjustment I am having to drive 'holding' my foot back off the pedal, if you relax your foot it presses down on the pedal too much. Pretty basic stuff by today's standards. IMHO you should HIRE one of these and drive it for a week BEFORE considering buying.
The rest of the car is nice except that without a squab angle adjustment I am having to drive 'holding' my foot back off the pedal, if you relax your foot it presses down on the pedal too much. Pretty basic stuff by today's standards. IMHO you should HIRE one of these and drive it for a week BEFORE considering buying.
Hi I'm and Andi tech. By that I mean I am a service technician at an Audi centre.
Audi, in fact all manufacturers, dont really listen to what people (there customers) say, they defiantly don't listen to us techs. When we see the same fault all day every day, it takes about a year before the modified parts or remedy become available.
Regard your point about pulling away. Try putting it in sport mode, sometimes its better.
Regarding engine vibration, you have to remember the 2.0TDI in the A6 is a PD engine (very old technology) if you had the 2.7 or 3.0 they are common rail and much smoother. It makes me laugh they still selling £20k+ cars that are that harsh and noisy.
Try not to be put off, Audi's are pretty reliable these days, its only the box or the particle filter thats likely to give you any trouble, and not for thousands of miles.
Audi, in fact all manufacturers, dont really listen to what people (there customers) say, they defiantly don't listen to us techs. When we see the same fault all day every day, it takes about a year before the modified parts or remedy become available.
Regard your point about pulling away. Try putting it in sport mode, sometimes its better.
Regarding engine vibration, you have to remember the 2.0TDI in the A6 is a PD engine (very old technology) if you had the 2.7 or 3.0 they are common rail and much smoother. It makes me laugh they still selling £20k+ cars that are that harsh and noisy.
Try not to be put off, Audi's are pretty reliable these days, its only the box or the particle filter thats likely to give you any trouble, and not for thousands of miles.
Tame Technician said:
Regarding engine vibration, you have to remember the 2.0TDI in the A6 is a PD engine (very old technology) if you had the 2.7 or 3.0 they are common rail and much smoother.
That's interesting, what you said about the 2.0 TDi engine. Is the same PD engine fitted to the 2006/2007 A3 and A4?
Is there a newer, smoother, 2.0 TDi engine in the later A3/A4 - if so, when was it introduced?
I've recently tested a 2007 BMW 120d, it seemed much quieter than the A3 in terms of engine noise and road noise, it would be nice if the A3 was as quiet.
Sorry to go off the 'Multitronic' topic.
Thanks.
Yes same engine, sounds like tractor, especially in the A3, different layout, makes more noise come though.
New A4 has common rail (new) 2.0TDI engine. Can get it in TT now too. Not sure when but will be in A6 and A3 soon, most probably with some other facelift/update.
New A4 has common rail (new) 2.0TDI engine. Can get it in TT now too. Not sure when but will be in A6 and A3 soon, most probably with some other facelift/update.
Edited by Tame Technician on Monday 15th September 20:26
I can only agree with Tame Technicians comment on the Multitronic.
My 2002 2.0 petrol A4 has been sitting on my drive for the last 6 months because of a fault on this box. I was very happy with the car until one day in april I drove into my works carpark selected reverse and the engine gust reved and didn't engage. after several minutes playing with the selector the auto display on the dash started to flash. Left it for a couple of hours and all seemed to be ok. But as soon as the car is warm and you move the selector you get the same problem.
I left the car with my friendly back street garage for several days. None of his gearbox specialists would touch it. he advised to get ride of it ASAP!! a replacement box being about £4000.
Took it to an Audi specialist who said I would need to take it to Audi to get the ACU changed, I think the error code was 17090 (Transm.Range Sensor Circ Range/Performance)
Seems a bit odd that everything is fine and dives ok until it gets up to temperature. could it just need a transmission oil change?
After getting the problem I started searching the net and found that the ATF should be chage every 40k. I checked my documentation and can see that it has ever been changed. the car has now covered 120k miles. Typically my SH warranty ran out just before the problem and would only have covered the 1st £1000 anyway.
Don't know what to do with the car, even if it was Aok it would only be worth £3k
Any suggestions anyone!!
still love Audis though, just would never have one again without a manufacturers waranty...
Cheers
My 2002 2.0 petrol A4 has been sitting on my drive for the last 6 months because of a fault on this box. I was very happy with the car until one day in april I drove into my works carpark selected reverse and the engine gust reved and didn't engage. after several minutes playing with the selector the auto display on the dash started to flash. Left it for a couple of hours and all seemed to be ok. But as soon as the car is warm and you move the selector you get the same problem.
I left the car with my friendly back street garage for several days. None of his gearbox specialists would touch it. he advised to get ride of it ASAP!! a replacement box being about £4000.
Took it to an Audi specialist who said I would need to take it to Audi to get the ACU changed, I think the error code was 17090 (Transm.Range Sensor Circ Range/Performance)
Seems a bit odd that everything is fine and dives ok until it gets up to temperature. could it just need a transmission oil change?
After getting the problem I started searching the net and found that the ATF should be chage every 40k. I checked my documentation and can see that it has ever been changed. the car has now covered 120k miles. Typically my SH warranty ran out just before the problem and would only have covered the 1st £1000 anyway.
Don't know what to do with the car, even if it was Aok it would only be worth £3k
Any suggestions anyone!!
still love Audis though, just would never have one again without a manufacturers waranty...
Cheers
Sounds like ECU, (they often loose drive with ECU faults) but could be a total gearbox failure as it failed so suddenly.
ECU is about £1000 included parts labour and oil.
Oil change now wont make any difference, should have been done at every 40K.
My advise, Sell it as a non runner / spares or repair. Ask your self this, if you spend £1000 on it and its still no good and then they say, it needs a gearbox and they are £5000, how you gonna feel.
ECU is about £1000 included parts labour and oil.
Oil change now wont make any difference, should have been done at every 40K.
My advise, Sell it as a non runner / spares or repair. Ask your self this, if you spend £1000 on it and its still no good and then they say, it needs a gearbox and they are £5000, how you gonna feel.
Yes, but no.
If it hasn't had the oil changes bang on 40K or less Audi wont touch it. We have had them reject good will on a car with only 60k on the clock because the oil change was done as 44 and not 40. Also if you don't have a full Audi dealer service history you wont get good will either.
I do lots of ECU's and the clutch pack modification which customers pay for. We do always apply for good will but its not always possible.
Come to think of it I had an 2004 A6 this week, customer just got hold of the car with 88K on it. Oil done at 40K but not at 80, no good will. Had the mega judder on pull away, 7 plate clutch pack fitted, car's now ok. But customer £800+ lighter.
If it hasn't had the oil changes bang on 40K or less Audi wont touch it. We have had them reject good will on a car with only 60k on the clock because the oil change was done as 44 and not 40. Also if you don't have a full Audi dealer service history you wont get good will either.
I do lots of ECU's and the clutch pack modification which customers pay for. We do always apply for good will but its not always possible.
Come to think of it I had an 2004 A6 this week, customer just got hold of the car with 88K on it. Oil done at 40K but not at 80, no good will. Had the mega judder on pull away, 7 plate clutch pack fitted, car's now ok. But customer £800+ lighter.
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