S-Cronic

Further update on the 7 Speed S-Tronic DL-501 issue ...... I haven't been able to get the adaption re-done yet after the full gearbox and both filters service as Matt with VCDS has been incredibly busy with his day job, but the one thing I will say after using the car for a few weeks now is it is incredibly smoother than it was before the service and the first VCDS mild adaption, no longer does it thump from second to first and even in reverse there seems to be a definite difference in the take up of the gear, especially on a slope, something it didn't like doing at all before the service, I am genuinely surprised how fresh filters and proper manufacturer recommended "MEYLE" DSG OIL can make that much of a difference, I haven't taken it on a long run yet and got everything in the gearbox up to a constant temperature and speed but around town driving is noticeably much smoother. As it started to fail on me and throw the dreaded yellow warning light on the dash after long motorway cruising I don't want to count my chickens too soon, but I'm hopeful that with a final and Full VCDS Gears Adaption my problem may well be pretty much sorted, as usual will keep posting updates for other members ......... 🤔

For what its worth if it was me and I'd had the car that long and wanted to keep it I'd go for a rebuild / modification, at least that way you know it's been done properly and it secures some decent life into the car going forward, with the 2.5 TDi being so few and far between when it comes to second hand units AND the fact most garages don't want to get involved either way it's going to cost, BUT .... if you rebuild or modify it properly when its done you have peace of mind, and that is priceless, whereas second hand there is always that constant nagging in the back of your mind of "how long will this one last" Good luck what ever you decide.👍

Well I'd like to say the oil that came out of the gearbox was a golden dark brown, but in reality almost black, so definitely needed doing, but nothing untoward on the magnets and filters were slightly dirty as to be expected, but not all clogged up or mishapen. The complete MEYLE service kit may be a little more expensive than others, but is has literally everything you need, right down to rubber O rings and copper washers, new bolts, 2 x filter housings, perfectly fitting metal gasket with locating lugs same as factory spec, and of course 7 litres of OE spec oil. Just awaiting a slot to get the VCDS adaption done again, don't think its going to cure my problem to be honest, if the gearbox could speak it would mock me with words such as " So you think you can throw a couple of hundred pounds at me and I'm going to perform for you .... Come back when you have a couple of thousand" 😣 To be continued .............

Yes, in the end I found out by a good friend letting me use his ramp, was able to try out various hex in the drain plug and of course it did turn out to be a 10mm ....which I thought it was all along but didn't want to buy more tools I didn't need, anyway, once I knew the size I went down the multi socket set route Gareth and as you said, job done for under a tenner on Ebay ....... Happy days !

So just an update for others, the gearbox drain and fill plugs on my A7 S-Tronic 3.0 TDi (DL501) were indeed 10mm insert Hex, tightened back up to 45NM when finished as per specification. With the steel cross brace in place you can get to the drain plug very easily, the filler plug up the side at the top is a little more tricky, but as I was doing the full service including the internal filter I had to take the sump pan off anyway, with it all out of the way both plugs are much easier to drain and more importantly fill.

HaHa ...I could, but I don't want to go through the hassle of putting the car on the ramp, dropping the undertray, then removing the large metal cross brace, only to find out I don't actually have the right socket, so many comprehensive videos and blogs showing a full gearbox service on You Tube / Forums etc, they list every tool, every part, what Torque settings, what temperature to fill, how to do it from start to finish etc etc ...... but I can't find one that tell you the two drain plug sizes ? if they were all the same it would be a breeze, but different sizes for Multi -Tronic, S-Tronic, 6 Speed, 7 Speed, A6 A7 Q7 TT etc etc ....... Some fill and drain are next to each other, some are staggered , some are on the base of the gearbox sump and up the side nearing the top of the gearbox, but basically hidden from sight on the A7 3.0 TDi Quattro 7 speed S-Tronic ....... I'm stunned nobody mentions this or knows on any forum or YT video, not that I've found anyhow ? Arghhhhhhhhhhh 🤪😃

Yes thanks Gareth, I've seen those on Ebay and usually they are in sets of nine or ten from 2mm to 10mm ........ but some forums say the gearbox sump drain and filler plugs needs a special "Audi Only" 16mm long inset hex socket ? I don't think this applies to the 7 Speed DL501 box in the A7 ? but was hoping somebody on here must have self serviced their 7 speed S-Tronic and therefore know the size ? 🤔

Hi Gareth, Yes they are, the oil drain plug is on the bottom of the gearbox sump pan and the filler nut up on the side at the top, both are inset hexagonal I believe ........ they look like 10mm but not sure? either way I need to buy one or a set of different sizes, if only I knew the correct size !

Just another update on the ongoing S-Tronic issues........ Matt, who is a true gentleman member on here and lives not far from me did a full VCDS analysis on the gearbox and read the fault codes, cleared them, read them again multiple times, and then attempted a full Adaption procedure via the VCDS as per manufacturer specifications. There were not really that many fault codes, but the ones specific to the Gearbox were: VCDS 7980: PO726 RPM Signal from ECU - Implausible Signal VCDS 8962: PI707 Clutch 2 Pressure too high VCDS 13791: P2873 Clutch 2 Pressure Engagement too high. That was it really, we cleared the codes, ran the scan again and they didn't return, so then we went onto the full Adaption procedure in VCDS Basic Settings menu, all was well until we got to adaption: IDE02294-Main Pressure valve calibration, whereby it kept giving the message: "Aborted-Safety Reasons" ? We tried this at varying specified gearbox oil Temperature's but to no avail, it just kept aborting half way through the calibration, however when re-reading for any gearbox fault codes multiple times afterwards none appeared ? although we still hadn't / were unable to complete the adaption procedure. I am now going to do a complete oil and filter drain and change service using a Full MEYLE service kit, after this Matt is going to read the codes again with VCDS and try another adaption ! To be continued ........................😮

Hi everyone, to follow on from my S-Cronic problems I'm doing Gearbox Oil and Filter Service with the Full "MEYLE" 7 Litre kit, looked at loads of videos online and all pretty comprehensive, but none I've found mention the size of the Hex Socket needed for the Transmission Drain and Fill plugs ? Could somebody give me the correct size / Information please ? Much appreciated as always ............🙂

Funny you should mention that, I read about the much later models (2020 onwards I believe? ) having "Code Blockers" so to speak built into them for the exact reason you give, plus the issuing of the "Token" to accepted users only gives them information of any work already performed and also logs the info for further down the line viewing ....... Technology Steve, as far as vehicles are concerned in the future it will render anyone other than Fully Authorised independents and Main Agents from working on just about anything from 2020 onwards ........ ie: they get to charge whatever they want as no small independents or mechanics will be able to replace or code any parts that may need it, apparently that's progress ! no wonder I love vehicles from the 1950's 60's and 70's and into the 80's, everything was so much simpler.

Very true Steve, the old ZF / Borg Warner Transmissions were pretty much faultless in days gone by, as I say, never had a problem with the units fitted to any of the BMW's I owned and they all did a fair amount of mileage, but once computers and twin clutches got involved it was all down hill from there, as for the FORD Power Shift units they are truly awful ! ... I'm sure you remember the early 70's and 80's Ford C3 and C4 gearbox which again was pretty much bulletproof, then again this was in the days of 3 and 4 speed transmissions, even my 1980's and 90's Audi 100 and A6 Auto boxes gave me no troubles at all, what went wrong ? now Audi have some of the worst reviews and comments online for their Multi-Tronic and S-Tronic gearboxes, and exactly why me and many others are on these forums sharing and trying to get diagnosis information ! But .... I love the A7 as a car, superb quality and pretty luxurious if we're talking interior fit and trim, and great looking cars, the 3.0TDi is a superb engine too if looked after and I'm sure there are owners out there who have not yet had a problem with their S-Tronic gearboxes and would probably wonder what on earth I'm going on about if they read this ( which they won't ) Just as an aside, I've heard it for many years, read untold reviews, and spoken to those I know in the trade who have travelled big distances to have their gearboxes repaired or replaced by them, I'm not in their employ or garnering any favours here when I say they are the absolute tops when it comes to really knowing Audi gearboxes in all guises, not the cheapest but certainly "The Best" if you want it done properly and professionally, the reviews online speak for themselves, MILTA Transmissions of Bristol, formerly Bristol Gearbox Centre I believe ? and there are bound to be members on here that know of them such is their reputation and knowledge with all things when it comes to Audi Gearbox problems, it's where I will be going if my fault turns out to necessitate ANY internal gearbox work, these units need technicians that "Really" know them, not just guessing or "maybe it will fix it" scenarios. Do it right, do it once ......... Updates to follow as I know more over the coming days and weeks. PS: Not buying VCDS, I have a friendly technician who lives near me who has multiple free Vin Codes package and is going to do a full read on Friday, but thanks for the heads up on the OBD 11 Pro Steve.

Going on full VCDS fault code read this Friday, talking to numerous Gearbox specialists and the excellent guys at "ECUtestingltd" (Excellent You Tube Video for anyone else with similar issues on here ) who really know these 7 speed S-Tronic gearboxes and Mechatronic units inside out ( and in fact do various work for Audi Main Agents ) it seems my symptoms point heavily towards a Mechatronic fault, maybe the pressure sensors, valves or most likely the circuit board itself just starting to break down and sending the wrong pulses at the wrong time ........ know more once we've pulled the codes, then hopefully its just a case of removing the Mechatronic unit and sending it off to be completely reworked with new hard and software.

Hi Steve, thanks for the prompt reply, my old stomping ground, grew up in Hadleigh and Leigh-On-Sea, know Essex very well, lived there from when I was born in 1959 ( Rochford Hospital) to 2012 ........ Yes I totally agree, it need's to go on VCDS, my local Transmission specialists who say they specialise in DSG / S -Tronic ( But so many say they know them but don't really know them inside out ) said he would check gearbox oil / level, do the full Adaptions, and read any codes, as I say I have a receipt from AUDI for a Full Gearbox Service etc but that was back at 60,000 miles, now mileage wise done double that and was actually my next job at its annual service in May, but now this has occurred, I've read stories of owners changing Mechatronic units only to have similar problems persist? and others who thought it was that but turned out to be the harnesses, speed sensors, or the circuit board itself within the Mechatronic unit ....... ( Clutches failing tend to be different symptoms I believe ) I know its hard to get a definitive answer as to what it is "Exactly" but a "good informed guess" based on similar symptoms is what I'm hoping for I suppose ? .... Would you suggest just getting a VCDS read first or an adaption too ? OR ... is it too far gone for that? I'm always very sceptical of software curing what feels like mechanical issues ?

So firstly Hello as a Forum newbie ! but not new at all to Audi as a brand, I apologise if this is a little drawn out but I'm definitely old school and been around the block a bit when it comes to cars, all will become apparent. I'm going to be straight up from the word go here regarding my Audi journey, I first came to the brand way back in the 80's with my first Audi 100 and later the same but in an Avant, over the years I've had classic early 80's and later a couple of Quattro's from circa 1986 on a D registration and a 1987 on an E registration, I had two Audi A6's into the late 90's and by the 2000's I had worked my way though another A6 and an A8 ( business was good and so were the cars ) ........ BUT .... then I bought a 2009 A6 2.0 TDi Avant with the multi-tronic gearbox and it was nothing but a disaster, three times over 100,000 miles it had serious gearbox issues, so much so that when the last attempt to repair didn't resolve it I simply had had enough and I foolishly traded it in for another 2012 Avant, again with what I hoped would be a better experience, within 70,000 miles it too had failed and I decided there and then to go over to the dark side and bought my first 330d BMW Tourer, in 90,000 miles it never missed a beat, that gearbox in my mind was bulletproof and silky smooth, in late 2016 I sold that and got me a 530d M-Sport Tourer, again I did many European work trips and it never gave me a moments problem, in 2018 I had a life changing experience which focused my mind pretty intently to say the least, I sold the business, moved nearly 200 miles away from my home town and went to live on the West Coast of the UK, I didn't drive for a while, but when I did I bought a BMW 320d Tourer loaded with everything you could want and used that sparingly up until a few months ago, again I have to say that Auto box was faultless and it had 113,000 miles on it when I sold it ........ What has all this got to do with a post in the A7 section of this forum I hear you ask ? Well, not long after that a very good friend of mine offered me his 2011 Audi A7 3.0 TDi Quattro 250bhp S-Tronic which he had had since 2013 and bought from his local Audi Main Agent, I knew the car very well and it has always been serviced on time, had a full gearbox service and adaption at 60,000 miles, has the original purchase invoice with nearly £18,000 of factory extras, and every MOT from new, every service stamp, and every single invoice for anything he has bought or had done over his ownership, needless to say I have always admired the A7 3.0 TDi "Quattro" and with little persuasion I happily bought it as my motoring needs are simple now with rarely any long distance or European driving. It has now done 120,000 miles but I kid you not when I say it looks like a five year old car in and out, not even a car park or supermarket dent on it, not a single warning light or electrical fault, in fact it drove faultlessly ! ..... Note I say "Drove" not Drives ..... Last Friday I did a 400 mile round trip to Kent to see my elderly mother, on the way there I pulled into the services on the M25 at Fleet and as I slowed down on the slip road and into the car park the gearbox jolted and thumped slightly as it changed from 2nd to 1st, not harsh but noticeable, as I came to a stop the yellow "No reverse Gear" warning flashed up and indeed when I put it in reverse nothing happened ! a little stunned that history was once again repeating itself I turned it off went inside to grab a coffee and a re-think about my journey, when I returned it started as normal, no warning light went into reverse no problem at all ? off I went up the Motorway and all was smooth once more, fast forward as I came into Tunbridge wells and at the first roundabout off of the motorway as I slowed down once more it jolted into the last two gears and the dreaded "No Reverse" came on again, as I pulled away the change ups from 1st to 3rd were jerky and slightly higher revving than usual, luckily ( or unluckily) I've experienced similar before in the past with Audi and used the technique of knocking it into Neutral and coasting to a stop before engaging Drive again to pull away. Long story short I made it my Mother's by this technique and every time I shut it off the warning goes away, reverse returns and you can you can drive it with impunity providing you don't do any stops from 7th gear to 1st, around town and in low gears its sort of fine, and it drove back the nearly 200 miles without fault until I stopped in a petrol station where as I came to a halt the yellow warning and "No Reverse" returned, but turned it off, went and paid and when I restarted it had gone again and all was well ? I like to think I'm not a novice or no clue mechanically having owned and supplied parts for Motor Vehicles (especially classics for many many years ) I've read many of the technical bulletins on these gearboxes, watched untold amount of professionally made You Tube videos from gearbox specialists, Mechatronic reconditioning companies, long term owners etc on the perils of the S-Tronic 7 Speed DL-501 which I believe my vehicle has, I have lost count of the amount of stories online concerning symptoms of this gearbox that Audi themselves farm out to other garages, quote for a New Gearbox, or simply don't want to touch the older out of warranty examples, I know I could go down the route of DIY programming, holding the throttle down for 30 seconds etc ( in fact done that, works for a day only ) or have a reconditioned or later circuit board Mechatronic unit fitted and hope that works, as an aside there is no burning smell whatsoever so hoping the clutches are good as this has only just started to happen in past few days, Its mainly the jerky, slightly clunky downshift in low gears ( 1st & 2nd) throwing the warning light, everything is smooth and silky, and as I say it goes away every time you turn it off and sometimes depending on how you come to a stop in traffic it doesn't happen, but at the next set of lights or queue of traffic it will ? Sooooo .... my question here is really to any Tech Guys on this forum who know their stuff, have experienced this problem themselves, or have fixed this fault by way of "Pattern" parts or non manufacturer parts ( which I can probably source through my contacts ) but just thought I'd ask the question as I'm always open to "Good Sound" advice, no guessers or "Go to a Main Agent" advice please, I'm a bit past that and am cynical for a reason with my dealings with Main Agents on older higher mileage vehicles ( of any brand ! ) although in fairness some are way way better than others. Its an old but really lovely thing, seeing is believing but I'm not about to throw silly money at it, sensible yes, but not silly. Thanks Folks, sorry to have waffled on, I hope you are enjoying your A7's as much as I was enjoying mine ! ............ Vehicle specific targeted advice gladly welcomed.