Stoney

I've noticed a reproducible problem:

In Tip (manual) mode, at moderate throttle, after it shifts itself into 2nd gear, and as RPMs rise to about 2500... I observe the RPMs drop slightly (as if the car is about to shift into 3rd gear, but of course it doesn't). Power drops off briefly.

I can't think of any explanation for this. The car is nearly new. Using 91 octane gas.

That hesitation is problematic when trying to merge or pass.

Jim Selders

you'll see revs drop a little as it locks, and if the revs are low then performance upon acceleration suffers a small amount too, until the transmission unlocks and downshifts.

Jim

Bollinger

At least it isn't supposed to. I'd verify that it is before complaining. My guess is that the TC is just "catching up" and getting down towards 1:1, although not locking.

It is probably normal and you just need to hit the pedal harder. Then again, maybe not.

I think the real problem is that the gearing on the 4.2 is ridiculously low. In my 2.7T I never hit 2nd when passing (it's rare I hit 3rd!) and if I does my neck snaps back viciously.

Stoney

I've tested dozens of times. It always happens in tip mode... as the rpms rise in 2nd past about 2500, the tack drops back and then rises again. If I am under moderate throttle, I can feel the loss of power. Under WOT, I doubt that it would be in 2nd gear yet.

This never happens in automatic mode. Smooth as silk.

Given this, I have to think it is a fault, or a software bug in the tip or engine. I can see no reason for it. It is glaring, not subtle.

It is much too severe to have anything to do with normal torque converter locking up.

AUDIMA4.2

Stoney: Just returned this morning from my dealer in MA. Left my '01' 4.2 there, to install 3M Autobond clear bra, and asked the head tech. for his opinion, same question as your's.

We took a test run, I drove it, then he did. In "tip mode" it clearly is the "drive by wire", the tranny design, etc. that has this affect. In "auto mode" much differenct. He also mentioned that to toggle the shifter from auto to tip mode while at stop. If I understood him correctly, this has an affect on the shift points. No really mechanical, so my explanation may be confusing. Sorry.

AUDIMA4.2

Your right. Chief tech. at my dealer, said same thing. You just need to "mash" down on the accerlator, to hold that 1st gear longer.

In auto mode, transmission seems to respond better.

Stoney

Hesitation is IN 2nd gear. I don't care about shift from 1st to 2nd.

Stoney

I'll discuss this with techs on my first service visit.

AUDIMA4.2

Samething with mine..
Tech. says normal, as to do with LTC...
All I know, auto mode works well
Tip mode, need to stump on throttle to hold 1st, and get better response from 2nd and up....