[husker boxster]

So I was encouraged when I googled the issue and found it was likely a faulty temp sensor. Great! Figured it was like any other temp sensor so it would amount to unscrewing the old one on the outside of the trans, screw in the new one, hook up the conntectors, done! Noooooope.

In their best anti-right to repair move, Porsche makes it extremely difficult to do the repair. First, you have to drain both PDK fluid and rear end oil. That sucked since I just paid $900 for a PDK flush 700 mi ago. Then you have to take the case off the PDK. If you have a Boxster / Cayman, this can be done by removing the bumper and removing the case w/ the trans still on the motor. If it's a 911, you have to remove the trans from the engine as there's not enough room to get the case out - cha ching $$$. Once the case is removed, the sensor is easy to access on the upper driver's side. Put everything back together and then calibrate (or activate) the sensor to the PDK with the PIWIS. This is why it's almost impossible to DIY this project since most ppl don't have access to a PIWIS.

Porsche's policy in the past is regardless of what the issue is, the soln is to replace the entire PDK with a $20K unit. Just like IMS from 20 yrs ago, this opens up opportunities for skilled ppl to find actual solns rather than a sledge hammer approach. As mentioned in my orig post, there's a company in ATL that fixes PDKs. Luckily I didn't have to contact them to see what their waiting list looked like. I imagine they're busy like Jake Raby is. Hopefully as 1 entrepreneur blazes a trail, others will follow. The issue is if the PIWIS that companies lease will have the PDK code included.

PDKs are not bulletproof. Besides the temp sensor, there's another sensor that goes bad and is harder to fix. And there are 7 solanoids that select the gears that fail too. They're easier to fix. The solenoids may be accessible with the trans cover off, which would make the repair cost a lot less, but don't quote me on that. Something else I've heard but haven't confirmed is if you remove the PDK, you need a special Porsche tool to get it lined back up with the engine.

With my Wheeler Dealer hat on, I used to think buying a car with PDK was the way to go since they are so strong. Now I'm rethinking that. Maybe it would be worth spending $200 for a DME report and buy a manual. They're worth more than a PDK too. While I lick my wounds, I might reconsider my bus model.

And if you track your PDK, it would be wise to do PDK flushes every other yr. Certainly depends on how often you do DEs and how hard you drive, but fresh fluid will go a long way to keeping your PDK healthy. But that still won't keep you from sensor or solenoid issues.