Transmission Emergency Run Error Message

[shorthouse]

After 39,000 miles in my 2011 GTS, I received a RED "Transmission Emergency Run" error message which effectively brings the car to a halt and then no power.

The manual guide advises having the car towed to the nearest OPC. In my case I switched off the engine and waited a few minutes after which the car started and performed normally as if nothing had happend.

The following day I drove 75 miles home with no further events. Previously I have had two 'transmission hot' messages which both disappeared within 20-30 seconds.

I am taking the car to my local OPC tomorrow for diagnostics but having checked various forums the outcomes vary from requiring a complete new PDK gearbox to replacing an aging battery or a PDK heat Sensor or PDK software upgrade.

I don't currently have the extended Porsche warranty, but if this is becoming a common problem I will be once (hopefully) I get the all clear!

 

[ellism]

I had this happen on my 997 2. Needed a new gearbox in the end, fortunately I had warranty. But I did hear subsequently that they had found an inexpensive fix for this. So hopefully it won't be too big a bill. Good luck.

 

[Lancerlot]

My PC has so far replaced 10 PDK transmissions at £12K a pop, so I would recommend you getting the extended warranty soonest!
Regards,

Clive

 

[RCS]

We had a loss of drive and then whilst limping to an OPC which was very close got a red error message. That OPC said it was due to a faulty temperature sensor, which was a cheap fix and they'd done a few which prior to updated advice from Porsche had needed the boxes changing. They said we'd be okay driving home and switching on and off resets system and should restore drive should it recur.

Local OPC took it in to change the sensor and then said there were other issues in the box and changed the pdk. 6 weeks later we lost drive again, apparently for different unspecified reasons and no action was taken by OPC! This happened on a Jan 2010 C2S at 19k miles in March/May 2015. We had Porsche warranty fortunately, as box change would have been £12k.

I hope it is just the temp sensor for your sake as gather that is cheap to change, and would echo Clive's advice about getting a Porsche warranty, I would not run a pdk car without. Most seem to be reliable, but some have been swopped out, even heard of one on a brand new Boxster GTS which failed as it was driven away from the OPC and had swarf in the oil!!

 

[shorthouse]

Diagnosis is a faulty temperature sensor, although the bill estimate is £940 incl labour and parts, but I'm relieved it's not the whole PDK.

Will definitely be getting the extended warranty now!

 

[pse_SC]

Diagnosis is a faulty temperature sensor, although the bill estimate is £940 incl labour and parts, but I'm relieved it's not the whole PDK.

Unbelievable![&:]

 

[s2rjn]

this is concerning as I'm currently driving an early PDK car, 997.2 2009
could this issue be the compared to the RMS or IMS issues of the 996/997.1's?
surely a gearbox issue is a manufacturing fault, especially with such low mileage?

 

[tscaptain]

It's a sensor that's failed, not the gearbox. Given the number of PDK 'boxes out there I doubt it is an epidemic![]

 

[waxman]

I had the transmission fault message but white text not red last year - thought the PDK had failed- when diagnosed was an ignition coil causing the problem not the PDK itself - changed under warranty and not reoccured

 

[shorthouse]

How long do the ignition coils typically last?
I guess they will form part of the 111 point check for extended warranty?

 

[STiG911]

How long do the ignition coils typically last?
I guess they will form part of the 111 point check for extended warranty?

Could be anywhere from 1 year to 10 years - depends on usage and mainly, exposure to cold / wet conditions. The Spark plugs should be changed very 4 years (Well, that's my Gen 1, is it different for Gen 2's?) so any OPC / Indy worth their salt should tell you if any need replacing or look like they might soon.
I'm pretty sure they are covered as part of the 111 point check (any items flagged by the check would need correcting at your cost before the car is accepted to the OPC Warranty scheme)

 

[shorthouse]

Thanks, should find out later today when my car is ready.

There appears to be a risk for owners of non warranty PDK cars which develop a related electrical fault that the whole PDK unit might need replacing since it supposedly can't be repaired, which as Clive and others suggest is a £12K hit.

I wonder how long before the engine's are also so complex that they can't be repaired either and need replacing for what could be a minor fault!

Makes the less complex, older models continue to retain their appeal ...

 

[Buddy]

I had a temperature warning on my 987.2 PDK, pulled into the nearest OPC and they ran a diagnostic faulty temp sensor they could do it that week, the car was in for the day and ready that evening, it was covered under warranty, if they had said it would be a full day I would have made arrangements or borrowed a car from them... but they had said a few hours not a day! But the car has been perfect until last Sunday when the battery had a cell go down which prevented starting, new battery now fitted and all fine again but it makes me wonder if the battery when less than perfect could be the cause or part of.

 

[pse_SC]

It's a sensor that's failed, not the gearbox.

£940 to fix just a failed sensor - incredible. Presumably put another nought on that if the PDK had failed?
Although not an epidemic, there is clearly something amiss here. Surely these newer cars should engender more confidence in their reliability?

 

[shorthouse]

Ok, got my car delivered home this evening ...

Costs: Labour carry out transmission control unit Diagnosis and replace PDK temperature sensor £447, repair kit £23.73, oil pan £173, gear oil £90, £735 total, so better than the indicative quote of £940.

Also passed the 111 point check with no issues, so it now has a 2 year warranty & Porsche assistance and I'm very relieved the outcome wasn't more serious and costly.

The way I look at this is for 5 year old car I have 'saved' ~3k in warranty costs over the last 3 years and this sensor replacement is the only additional cost over tyres, oil and servicing since new. So not bad really.

 

[RCS]

Glad its worked out 'OK' Mike. Did they say why it needed a new oil pan, which i assume is the sump for the pdk? Just curious.

When my first OPC said our sensor needed changing but it was cheap they obviously meant the part, not the time it takes!!

 

[Rodney Naghar]

It sounds like it would be an easy job for an Indy to carry out without all the unnecessary extras such as the oil change etc

 

[angusc]

Probably wouldn't save you that cost of the sump pan gasket and labour to check the box internals and oil for any signs of over heating and damage ......that part is probably good practice in ensuring that the sensor didn't fail after being over heated.

 

[shorthouse]

Did they say why it needed a new oil pan, which i assume is the sump for the pdk? Just curious.

The explanation was ...
The oil pan is the component which holds the oil in the oil sump or reservoir. All these require removing and replacing since the gear-box temperature sensor which was faulty is housed in this unit.

 

[phlize]

Just had this exact problem - and fix by OPC - on my 2010 Boxster S. Bill was £607.48 for oil pan, sensor repair kit, oil change on PDK and clutch fluid, and EVHC(?) check. Apparently Porsche GB & OPC 'contributed' a £200+ each in addition to my 'contribution'. This is starting to look like a common fault - or at least not a uncommon one. The sensor itself wasn't replaced though - just used the repair kit.
My local independent says he can't do PDK oil changes because special tools are required - and he said just an oil change would be £500, so he wasn't far out.
Phil.