Amazing write up. This is what being a gear head is all about! My friends, family, and gf dont understand why I put so much into my car but this post is the exact reason I do. Thanks for sharing!

 

great write up. nothing like feeling a love for a car like you have

 

All,

Thanks for all the kind words. Really really appreciated.

As for what happened to the Cayman. In a nut shell...

While driving kinda hard one night my shifts between the gear changes started to "slip" then finally when I went from 3rd to 4th I got this error message:



On the tow truck it went....



Took it to Porsche and they said that I need a new Tiptronic Control module ($2.2k) because they were not getting any responses from it when they tried to electrically diagnose the problem.

I bought a new control module. This did not fix the problem. Now that I felt like Porsche was just after my money (what a surprise ), so I cut the dealership out of the diagnosis equation.

Returned the control module. Next I drained the transmission oil. WARNING Now before you look down further I hope that you are sitting down before you see these photos... This fluid and filter are only 2.5 years and 28k miles old. Keep in mind that Porsche recommends a Tiptronic fluid and filter change every 12 years or 120,000 miles whichever comes first!





It smelled SO BAD and so burnt...

Here's the filter:



New filter for comparison:



Here's what the magnets scooped up:



I put in new fluid and a filter.

The transmission still slips and the "Tiptronic Emergency Run" warning light still came on.

I did some research and read that the a bad throttle positioning sensor can cause problems and induce an automatic transmission to "slip."

I only bring this up because my mechanic friend and I are now suspecting that the problem is more electrical rather than mechanical. And ever since I installed the GT3 throttle body and IPD competition race plenum, my car has been having problems shifting from 4th to 5th gear at redline when going about 132mph.

I also read on Planet 9 that a few others were experiencing this same problem after they did the same mods on their Tiptronic Porsches

So I put the stock throttle body sensor on the GT3 throttle body. this did not fix the problem.

I also read that a vacuum leak after installing my engine mods could be causing the problem and ever since I installed the IPD and GT3 TB I would get this CEL code:

PO441

After my transmission problem I am also getting the CEL code:

P1719

I'm thinking that maybe the aftermarket tune went bad, as I've had a friend's car had this happen to him. When he flashed back to stock then back to the aftermarket the car ran fine. So i flashed my car back to stock and I was still having the transmission problem.

I also checked for bad fuses and they were all good.

So at this point I needed a car to get around in. I wanted to pick up a better daily driver anyways since the Cayman currently looks like this, which I love btw:



Drove the ST, loved it, satisfied my every want and need and the price was too good to pass up.




So now I called up TPC racing to get the ball rolling so at least I can the car diagnosed and see what is wrong with it since Porsche of Towson was zero help. I feel like getting my money back tbh...

They are currently doing racing business in Sebring and will be back by February 11th. I'm going to have the car towed down there and get the car looked at.

I also thought about towing the car to AAMCO, the "chain" transmission specialists. It sounds like they do some thorough diagnostics.

So when I find out what is wrong with my car I'm going to have it towed back to my garage, order the necessary "fix-it" parts and install them myself with my buddy.

 

I should add that I drive the HELL out of my car. I'm considering applying for a job that puts cars through rigorous tests. If it's not raining or if there is not snow on the ground, my transmission is running the gears to redline, blipping downshifts, and being driven like it was stolen. It's a Porsche, and mine is stripped out with race seats and harnesses, it's going to be driven hard.

So I will be fair and consider myself as an "outlier" Porsche tiptronic transmission owner. I'm sure most tiptronic Porsche owners just showboat around in theirs. Not me. With all this being said, I would consider that those of you with Tiptronic Porsches at least change your ATF fluid before 12 years or 120,000 miles. If you dive your car hard I would consider changing it at most every 20k miles. For me, if I can now fix my broken transmission, it will be changed every year or 10k miles. Whatever comes first. I already change my 3.4L engine oil every 5k miles even though it's recommended every 20k miles.

Please don't let your transmission break like mine after only 68k miles when Porsche boasts about them as being "bulletproof." I always have to ask if it's "golfguy11800-proof"

I'm also finding that my car's coolant is disappearing... I checked the level yesterday and it was below "low" and I honestly couldn't even see the level in the fill reservoir.

 

That looks pretty bad, if it smelled burned it's usually not an electrical problem your looking for. Sounds like to me you might have cooked some transmission internals(most likely clutches). Love your write ups and don't quit !! Keep us posted on what you find out and enjoy the Focus ST.

 

You are the man and no I would have no regrets. There is no substitute. Awesome post. Great reminder that these are made to be driven. Keep on keeping on. My Cayman S just hit 55K miles. Hasnt had the life of yours but it is my daily driver and I use it for anything and everything. Great post!

 

Great posts, keep them coming.
My only regret is never owning one. Yet.

 

Great Post, yes - please keep us updated on your findings.

 

All,

I'm FINALLY getting my car towed to destination X this coming Friday to begin the Tiptronic transmission damage and fix diagnosis.

However, my only problem is that I cannot decide on where I want to take the car...

What do you guys think?

Should I go to a dedicated transmission shop. I was able to find a very reputable one near me.

OR

Take it to an independent Porsche shop, there are about 4 within 50 miles of my house... like TPC Racing.

I just don't think that the Porsche shops will know too much about the automatic transmissions, whereas a transmission shop, although not specifying in Porsche, will know everything there is to know about automatic transmissions...

I was reading about a fellow forum member and how when his Tiptronic Transmission broke at 99k miles on his 2007 Cayman, the actual Porsche dealer had NO CLUE as to what was wrong with the car.

I guess I could call the indy Porsche shops and talk with them to get some reassurance that they know what they're doing with auto transmissions. I just don't want to be taken advantage of and want to get the best and most thorough care for my car.

 

Great thread wish you all the best and many more years of joy with your CS.