RPM hesitation at constant throttle

Buckeyedoc006 · 05-03-2012, 01:32 PM

My car has been acting up a little. It idles fine, but when driving at a steady throttle/speed position the engine has a very slight (but easily noticeable) RPM hesitation (less than 100 RPM). It feels like it's losing power for a split second, and then it resumes its previous power/RPM level. This alternates back and forth every few seconds from the original power/RPM position to the RPM loss position and then back again. If I accelerate I don't notice it at all. If I'm stopped I don't notice it either. Any thoughts? I don't have a VAG-COM. (Stupid. I know.)
I had a pinched vac line after a very minor (low speed) fender bender last summer. (Let's just say, don't pull out onto a road just because someone is stopping and motioning to you to pull out.) When I first got the car back I thought the powered seemed to be lacking. The dealership pinpointed the problem, replaced the line, and then it was as good as new. I wonder if it's related to that at all. Probaby not.

SchwarzS6 · 05-03-2012, 02:37 PM

If it bounces up and down about 100-200 rpm in the range of 1400-1900rpm at a rate of once every 1-2 seconds then it may be the same problem I had in my 2006. It turned out to be a failing torque converter. Rather than have it fixed I traded for a newer model.

See this thread for a complete description and history of the problem.

http://forums.audiworld.com/showthre...verter+surging

Buckeyedoc006 · 05-04-2012, 07:16 PM

Thanks. I'll check out your thread. Mine isn't jumping quite that much, but it has gotten worse in the last couple of days. Probably getting close to 100 rpm. Mine is not limited to the low RPM range though.

Buckeyedoc006 · 05-04-2012, 08:05 PM

I just read the entire thread. Crap.
And what was with the weird tangent and barb trading? Ha

KevinGary · 05-05-2012, 01:24 AM

Claims of lifetime tranny fluid is BS and is killing these cars.

BlueSander · 05-05-2012, 06:27 AM

I experienced the same issue and made a ton of visits at the dealers. They suggested replacing the torque converter. To me, that **** of Sh!t has been an ancient technology, if Audi really screw it up, I should be better off buying something else. Anyways, I was hesitating on spending couple grands replacing it. Couple months later, during another diagnosis, they said my problem got worse and there are metal shavings in the trans fluid. There is nothing else better than replacing the whole entire trans.

Anyways, those was a full of BSing. Here is how i fix it:
1. go to ECStuning and purchase the trans service kit (gasket & filter).
2. go to Audi dealer and buy your trans oil (VW dealers also carry the same oil and it's a couple bucks cheaper). DO NOT buy generic oil, it may be a saving but trust me, they are NOT the same. Also, after 2008, Audi started using a new synthetic trans oil. DO NOT buy that one. It's 2x as expensive and you will have to tow your car to dealer so they can reprogram the trans.
3. Get yourseld a VAGcom and carry out the throttle adaptation.

That should take care of the problem.
Best of luck,

SchwarzS6 · 05-05-2012, 11:01 AM

BlueSander - is your car fixed? I remember when we compared problems yours was different and I never would have thought that just a fluid/filter change could have fixed it. If so, that is great news.

BlueSander · 05-05-2012, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SchwarzS6

BlueSander - is your car fixed? I remember when we compared problems yours was different and I never would have thought that just a fluid/filter change could have fixed it. If so, that is great news.

yea, my car is fixed. I changed the fluid but still had gear shift problem (especially 2-3 and 3-2). I tried so many things but nothing works, until I randomly did the throttle adaptation one day the problem went away completely.

Buckeyedoc006 · 05-07-2012, 07:36 AM

Thanks for the input, all.
I should know more in about 30 hours.
This episode has caused me to think about whether I want to keep the car once I'm done or sell it. (I'm probably getting ahead of myself though.) As much as I love my Audi (and VW before it), would I be willing to go back to it if the TC is the problem? Or how could I avoid a problematic model? I guess I'll have to wait and see.

Buckeyedoc006 · 05-09-2012, 09:02 AM

No word yet. Delayed due to my mechanic's son's health problems. I should find out on Friday.
Schwarz, didn't you say you went to an '08 after this issue? Wouldn't they still be prone to the same problem?

05-04-2012, 07:16 PM	#3
Buckeyedoc006 AudiWorld Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 154	Thanks. I'll check out your thread. Mine isn't jumping quite that much, but it has gotten worse in the last couple of days. Probably getting close to 100 rpm. Mine is not limited to the low RPM range though. __________________ Black 2006 S-Line A6 3.2 Quattro

05-04-2012, 08:05 PM	#4
Buckeyedoc006 AudiWorld Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 154	I just read the entire thread. Crap. And what was with the weird tangent and barb trading? Ha __________________ Black 2006 S-Line A6 3.2 Quattro

05-05-2012, 01:24 AM	#5
KevinGary AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,657	Claims of lifetime tranny fluid is BS and is killing these cars. __________________ Original owner of a 2005 A6 4.2 - Night Blue Pearl Effect, Platinum Voltera Leather and Wood Interior, Navigation, Premium Sound, Sirius Satelite, DVD Player with Screens in Headrests, Heated Front and Rear Seats, Heated Steering Wheel, Ski Sack & Headlight Washers, Advanced key, Hartmann S8 Summer Wheels, Continental DW (Summer), Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 (Winter), Solar Sunroof, Power Rear & Manual Side Sunshades, Rear Side Airbag Supplemental Restraints, Rear Parktronic, Voice Recognition, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Bi-Xenon Adaptive Headlights, Power Adjustable Steering Column, Auto Dimming and Compass Interior Mirror, Power Folding and Dimming Exterior Mirrors, Memory Seats, Trip Computer, Homelink, Storage Package, H&R Rear Sway Bar, Koni FSD dampers. TSB Library link (Thanks to Dr. Cold for his help in setting this up) http://uberlame.com/a6_tsb/

05-07-2012, 07:36 AM	#9
Buckeyedoc006 AudiWorld Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 154	Thanks for the input, all. I should know more in about 30 hours. This episode has caused me to think about whether I want to keep the car once I'm done or sell it. (I'm probably getting ahead of myself though.) As much as I love my Audi (and VW before it), would I be willing to go back to it if the TC is the problem? Or how could I avoid a problematic model? I guess I'll have to wait and see. __________________ Black 2006 S-Line A6 3.2 Quattro Last edited by Buckeyedoc006; 05-07-2012 at 08:06 AM.

05-09-2012, 09:02 AM	#10
Buckeyedoc006 AudiWorld Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 154	No word yet. Delayed due to my mechanic's son's health problems. I should find out on Friday. Schwarz, didn't you say you went to an '08 after this issue? Wouldn't they still be prone to the same problem? __________________ Black 2006 S-Line A6 3.2 Quattro

Welcome to AudiWorld!
		Welcome to AudiWorld.com. You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, join AudiWorld.com today!

05-03-2012, 02:37 PM	#2
SchwarzS6 AudiWorld Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,029	If it bounces up and down about 100-200 rpm in the range of 1400-1900rpm at a rate of once every 1-2 seconds then it may be the same problem I had in my 2006. It turned out to be a failing torque converter. Rather than have it fixed I traded for a newer model. See this thread for a complete description and history of the problem. http://forums.audiworld.com/showthre...verter+surging

05-05-2012, 06:27 AM	#6
BlueSander AudiWorld Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,126	I experienced the same issue and made a ton of visits at the dealers. They suggested replacing the torque converter. To me, that **** of Sh!t has been an ancient technology, if Audi really screw it up, I should be better off buying something else. Anyways, I was hesitating on spending couple grands replacing it. Couple months later, during another diagnosis, they said my problem got worse and there are metal shavings in the trans fluid. There is nothing else better than replacing the whole entire trans. Anyways, those was a full of BSing. Here is how i fix it: 1. go to ECStuning and purchase the trans service kit (gasket & filter). 2. go to Audi dealer and buy your trans oil (VW dealers also carry the same oil and it's a couple bucks cheaper). DO NOT buy generic oil, it may be a saving but trust me, they are NOT the same. Also, after 2008, Audi started using a new synthetic trans oil. DO NOT buy that one. It's 2x as expensive and you will have to tow your car to dealer so they can reprogram the trans. 3. Get yourseld a VAGcom and carry out the throttle adaptation. That should take care of the problem. Best of luck,

05-05-2012, 11:01 AM	#7
SchwarzS6 AudiWorld Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,029	BlueSander - is your car fixed? I remember when we compared problems yours was different and I never would have thought that just a fluid/filter change could have fixed it. If so, that is great news.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode