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Volkswagen Passat Hesitation Issue

36 messages,  Last post on Sep 27, 2009 at 4:41 PM

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What is this discussion about? Volkswagen Passat, Transmission, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 2 of 4

#10 of 36 Re: Passat "hesitates on take-off from rolling start" [newbie_vw] by fish8

Aug 28, 2006 (6:24 am)

Replying to: newbie_vw (Aug 27, 2006 4:12 pm)
The hesitation probably references the 2.0t model. Turbos tend to have something called Turbo Lag. When you push the gas pedal down, there is a slight delay. I have a 2004 Passat 1.8t and there is turbo lag in my car, but its not too bad. From what I hear, the 2.0t is better in this respect.
 
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?

#11 of 36 Re: Passat "hesitates on take-off from rolling start" [newbie_vw] by nxs138

Aug 30, 2006 (11:40 am)

Replying to: newbie_vw (Aug 27, 2006 4:12 pm)
As for the hesitation, go to vwvortex.com and in the B6 Passat forum you will see some threads concerning the hesitation problem. It is not turbo-related, i.e. also occurs with the 3.6L. Basically it's a delay in response when you hit the throttle. VW has a software fix for it (apparently) that was just recently released.

#12 of 36 Re: Passat "hesitates on take-off from rolling start" [nxs138] by pat

Aug 30, 2006 (1:57 pm)

Replying to: nxs138 (Aug 30, 2006 11:40 am)
Could you share the information with the community right here? That would be great!

#13 of 36 Re: Passat "hesitates on take-off from rolling start" [pat] by nxs138

Aug 30, 2006 (6:45 pm)

Replying to: pat (Aug 30, 2006 1:57 pm)
In a nutshell, here are the main facts (note that this occurs only with Passats with auto transmission):
 
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.

#14 of 36 Re: Passat "hesitates on take-off from rolling start" [nxs138] by jaylo247

Aug 30, 2006 (7:03 pm)

Replying to: nxs138 (Aug 30, 2006 11:40 am)
I have a 3.6 and have scheduled my passat to receive the ECU software update that fixes the slight hessitation lag. This hessitation is noticible from a rolling stop or while trying to excelerate when the car is in motion. It is not terrible, but it is noticable. Anyways, here's a link to the TSB addressing this issue. According to others on VWVORTEX, the software fix works. I'll report back next week and let everyone know. http://www.alldata.com/tsb/Volkswagen/1155193200000_1156748400000_0106-11/index.- html

#15 of 36 Re: Passat "hesitates on take-off from rolling start" [nxs138] by markcincinnati

Sep 01, 2006 (8:41 am)

Replying to: nxs138 (Aug 30, 2006 6:45 pm)
The "tip lag" has been around as of this writing for 10 years. Audi has it, VW has it, BMW has it, Porsche has it and I assume Mercedes has it and so on.
 
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.

#16 of 36 Re: Passat "hesitates on take-off from rolling start" [jaylo247] by jpi2

Sep 14, 2006 (4:22 pm)

Replying to: jaylo247 (Aug 30, 2006 7:03 pm)
How did your appointment to have the patch go? I also have a 3.6 and had scheduled an appointment, but cancelled once the dealer said that they would "need it all day to see what was the problem and take the car apart." They didn't know about the software patch so I cancelled until a later date. I may go in with the TSB and info from alldata in hand and question them. Kind of scared and concerned that they don't even know about the software fix! They are the VW dealer.

#17 of 36 Re: Passat "hesitates on take-off from rolling start" [jpi2] by jaylo247

Oct 09, 2006 (8:18 pm)

Replying to: jpi2 (Sep 14, 2006 4:22 pm)
Sorry for responding so late, but the patch worked perfectly! Anyone having the hesitation issues with your 3.6, the software fix works and you should have it done ASAP. If your dealership claims to not know about the TSB after they have had time to research it/receive the CD, report them to VWoA. Also, if you are having B-pillar clicking/ticking noises, you are not alone. Apparently there is a fix in the works, but visit vwvortex for more posts concerning this issue. The more people that come forward, the quicker VW will move to issue a TSB.

#18 of 36 2007 3.6T hesitation problem by goodieshannon

Oct 10, 2006 (5:02 am)

Thank you for the info on the Patch fix for the hesitation problems on th 3.6. The other problem i have is the "Tire Pressure Too Low" message keeps coming on with just the slightest bit of temperature change. The service dept says there is nothing they can do, whenever the temp chags the sensitiveity of the mechanism just clicks the light on. Anyone else have this problem?

#19 of 36 Update to the hesitation TSB by verdugo

Oct 20, 2006 (2:02 pm)

http://www.alldata.com/tsb/Volkswagen/1158303600000_1161154800000_0106-14/index.- - html
 
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.

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