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Volkswagen Passat Hesitation Issue
canoura
Member Posts: 9
Has anybody else noticed that when coming to a stop and just before stopping completely, you decide to hit the accelerator, there is a very annoying transmission shifting delay.
I asked the VW dealer about it and he told me they were aware of it and that it seems to be an issue with the AT software. He had no idea when a fix would be available.
I asked the VW dealer about it and he told me they were aware of it and that it seems to be an issue with the AT software. He had no idea when a fix would be available.
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1) insert key but do not start car
2) wait for all the information lights to cycle normaly, about 30 seconds.
3) Push the gas pedal all the way to the floor, hold it for about 5 seconds.
4) release gas pedal slowly.
5) Start the car (you must do this for the reset to take effect).
I personally don't notice the delay anymore. good luck.
I saw the drivers' review saying lows: "1)hesitates on take-off from rolling start; 2)ignition system".
I am confused by (1) a bit: I saw the acceleration number is very good (3 sec to 30 miles; 7.6 sec to 60 miles), but what does this "hesitate" mean? Also, what the ignition system problem?
By the way, anyone can give a comparison between passat and Toyota RAV4 V6 (Sports trim)?
Thanks a lot
Comparing the RAV4 and a Passat? Thats like comparing apples and oranges. One is a SUV (small) and one is a sedan (or wagon). Not sure where to start with that comparison.
Have you driven both?
1. Owners with the 3.6L initially reported a delay in accelerating, especially when the car was not stopped but slowly rolling with engine at low rpms, and then attempting sudden acceleration. This delay would last 1-2 seconds, where there would be no power. Some thought it could be dangerous when you are trying to turn in front of incoming traffic.
2. This behavior is now evident with the 2.0T as well.
3. Many theories abound: turbo lag (but the 3.6L doesn't have turbos!); ecu adaptive learning (but the issue still happens after ecu has adapted); Owners have suggested an overaggressive esp, drive-by-wire, etc. etc. It all points to a ECU algorithm problem.
4. Owners call up VW of america, who does agree there is a problem. VWoA recently comes out with a software fix that the dealer will apply to the ECU. They need a special CD to upload to your ECU.
5. There is a technical service bulletion out: TSB 2012778
As a sidenote, it seems that other cars (e.g. Toyota Avalon) are experiencing similar delays. Might be related to the way the ECU communicates with the transmission.
Versions of these cars were released that did not have it, however. These versions were usually the sported up versions (the Audi S6 Avant with the 5 speed tip didn't have it, yet the Audi A6 4.2 with the 5 speed tip did.)
In later years (2002 and beyond or 2003 and beyond) the transmissions were all pretty much reprogrammed with an "S" mode.
I have been reading these postings here and letters to the Quattro Club of America, bla bla bla for at least 5 years.
The issue seems to be a program that has as its goal, rapid upshifts and delayed downshifts.
My 2005 C6 A6 will NOT shift into first gear until I fully stop the car -- a rolling stop, no matter how slow, simply keeps the car in second. Then, it lags when I press the accelerator. My 1997 A8 did this, my 1999 A6, 2000 A6 4.2, 2001 A6 4.2 ditto. This current A6 "is barely noticable" in this regard -- but if I want to absolutely assure it does NOT happen, shift it into "S" mode.
It ain't broke -- it has been told to do this by a programmer who apparently puts economy above responsiveness.
My friend sells BMW's -- says the same thing happens to them when left in steptronic full auto non sport program mode. I've tested 5 series and they do indeed have this lag, but with the 6 speed versions, not so much.
Perhaps VW has an even more agressive economy mode and hence, somewhat like my A6, waits and waits and waits before it will finally downshift.
Stall speed anyone?
This is maddening -- or it can be. Flick it to S mode and the upshifts and downshifts happen more like a manual transmission.
Pray for the DSG transmission to come to these fine cars -- DSG, NOT SMG.
Of course, if there are indeed software patches, get 'em -- me, I would like the programmer who wrote the program for the RS 6 to make a tweak or two to mine, but overall, this is the best evolution of auto transmissions in the past 10 years.
More's the pity. :surprise:
If you haven't had it done, I strongly encourage you to do it. It makes a world of difference. With the newly defined VIN range, hopefully dealers won't give people a hard time about it.
They even mention that dealers should perform it on the cars that they still have on the lot. And if RVU (voluntary recall) is what I think it means, this is now a recall rather than just a TSB.
Good luck.
I have the B Pillar rattle but the dealership is not able to hear it. If there is a Service bulletin for this please past the number.
love the car
Several months ago, the re-flashed my ECU but that did nothing for the hesitation.
Now that I again have the car in for VW to determine why my bi-xenons dip when cornering, my service manager said VW just came out with a fix for the hesitation. He said you lose the gear indicator when you have the fix done. I hate to lose the gear indicator but if the hesitation goes away, it'll be worth it. Is this the same fix you guys were talking about last October??
It is due for an oil change, and I'm taking it in on Friday, but I was wondering if that or a dirty oil filter could make that much of a difference, or does it sound like it might be more of a transmission issue? It has 45k miles--could a trans flush be on the horizon, or am I barking up the wrong tree?
Thanks in advance,
Steve r.
Thanks