Tiptronic Problem?
 

I have a 2002 Boxster S, 75000 miles. Now that it's getting colder i have a trouble with transmission hesitation? Slip? from second to third. It only does it when the engine/tranny are cold. Once up to temperature, it shifts normal. Could it be low fluid or a sticky solenoid? Any suggestions appreciated!!!!

My 99 Boxster, 62000miles does the same thing when cold...very slight slip (or rather delay) between 2nd and 3rd.

If you figure this out let me know.

When was the last time you had the trans. Flushed and changed? Regardless of the weather temp. I start my car and let it warm for at least two minutes. This allows all fluids to circulate and warm slightly to allow for everything to "wake up" and do its thing prior to driving. Maybe that's why I've not seen this.

I have the same experience in my 03 986. Here is the explanation:

"The Tiptronic S transmission performs additional functions beyond the capabilities of a traditional automatic transmission. For example, when the driver first starts the car, Tiptronic S operates with a Warm-up program. This shift map delays upshifts and keeps the lockup torque converter open to help bring the engine up to operating temperature rapidly (for optimal performance and lowest emissions)."

Chairman Ron, So this is typical in colder wather? The last time I changed fluid is about 10,000 miles ago. No fault indicators flash, just an annoying first 5 minutes of driving!!
Hopefully nothing major happens.
Thanks for the help

I don't know if what you're experiencing is "normal," but if it helps let me give you a bit more detail on what happens with my 03 986.

When the engine is cold and I back out of the garage and start to head downhill on my street, it will annoyingly stay in 2nd gear way too long to the point where I have to use the tip to manually shift to a higher gear or else my neighbors will think I'm nuts. I do not have the same phenomena when the engine is warm.

After researching a bit I concluded this was the normal tip function that helps with engine warm up.

The car just performs better if I let it warm up for a few minutes in the garage. I live in San Diego so by "cold" I mean it's starting at about 40 - 50 degrees (F).

First - if you've owned this for over 10,000 you must have gone through cold weather or a Winter or two. No? If so, and this didn't happen before, then it is now abnormal. Second, it it not normal for any automatic transmission (or manual for that) to change with the weather. Third - I would NEVER allow something to change on my car, that concerned me, and then drive it "Hoping nothing major happens."

If your car is performing differently, or acting up, get to a dealership and have it checked out. Otherwise, you might be one of those people who post - I hate Porsche and German cars and the ??? because I drove the car after loud noises, low engine oil, clunking sounds, transmission was acting up - and did nothing about it.

q
 

The problem did occur ever since I have had the car. I took it to a europeanauto specialist that works on Porsche for the tyranny fluid change. He said some of the experiences are "unexplainable"! I will take it to a dealer in the next couple of weeks.

How true! ;)