The Official Unofficial Tiptronic Thread
 

I have noticed that none of the Boxster sites has a particular thread that relates to Tiptronic transmissions so I thought I would start one that caters to Tiptronic issues, solutions, general knowledge and conversation.
My 1999 Boxster came with a Tiptronic trans which I generally drive in "M" mode and after five years of use still thoroughly enjoy and would not go back to a stick. It has operated flawlessly in AX, DE and spirited back road driving. I've never had a problem keeping up with more powerful cars on twisty road driving and my left foot enjoys tapping the footrest while my thumbs do the shifting work. I enjoy the fact that I can't over rev the car and I'll never miss a shift and don't have to "paddle the canoe" in traffic or worry about roll back on hills with stop signs.
I hope this can be a place to help one another with Tiptronic issues that may arise, although mine has performed without incident.

I'm still trying to figure out how to really use the tip. I've been driving it for about six months in an 01 Base and it still feels awkward to me when I use it in 'M'. Most often now, I just leave it in 'D' and poke it with my thumb for decels when it passes below about 3K. Once I'm ready to accelerate, I do a quick left-right with the stick to set it back to D.
I should probably read my owner's manual for tips on the tip. I'd really like to get the most out of it. For now I strongly prefer my 5-speed unless I'm just driving around town for groceries.
Any suggestions (practical exercises?) on how to re-train myself to drive it properly?

I love my Tip. Had it for 2 years now and have learned how to use it correctly. Yes I highly enjoy leaving my left leg planted and both hands on the steering wheel.

I've read that the tips are pretty robust. Mine suffered from a problem in the harness, having to do with the temperature sensor if I remember correctly. It was doing the D and 4 winky thing but functioned normally. I drained the transmission, removed the bottom, and replaced the harness. Not a difficult job, just finicky getting the levels right on refill. Works fine now.
I occasionally miss the tactile, mechanical feeling of the stick. You feel more connected. But NOT in traffic!! ;)

Jake Raby mentioned a 4.0l 400+ HP engine and I asked him if the Tip could handle that much power. Here is what he said.

You're making my mouth water. Can a Tiptronic trans handle that much power?

Porsche's Tips are made by Mercedes and are tanks. They should not have a problem with that hp.

Some info regarding the Boxster tip.

1997-1999 Porsche Boxster: Model A86/00
2000-2004 Porsche Boxster: Model A86/05
2000-2004 Porsche Boxster S: Model A86/20

designed and built by ZF Friedrichshafen AG's subsidiary in Saarbrücken

The generic and base model name for the trans for buying parts and referencing is

ZF 5HP-19

ZF 5HP19 transmission - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Introduced in 1996, it is still in production, and has been used in a variety of cars from Audi, BMW, Porsche, and Volkswagen Passenger Cars. in modified configurations it is used in all wheel drive audis.

Weak points are the torque converter bushing and the cooling valve. Be careful when replacing the hose leading to the cooling valve as the aftermarket replacement nylon hoses will melt and not allow the trans to cool and will allow the trans to overheat. If you have a trans leak at the bell housing do not just replace the torque converter seal. check to see if the bushing is worn out because if it is worn out, you will be just wasting your time replacing the seal.

Most of the time you will not find much info in the porsche forums relating to these, but if you go to the other forums where this transmission is used like the BMW forums you will find all the issues these trans are known for. They actually have guys tearing down and rebuilding these transmissions, and posting repairs.

After reading healthservices post, I though this might be a good spot to post a little more info.

Here's the PelicanParts Tip service DIY:
Pelican Technical Article: Changing Boxster Automatic Transmission Fluid - 986 / 987

A ZF 5HP service video from ZF. Not the best video, because the fill port is apparently on the side of their demo model (BMW?), rather than the bottom:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8jcRd4gyWc

A better video, but on an Audi A4. It is pretty much identical to our version of the ZF 5HP19:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXil6QQOCmg

If you want to see an in-depth tear down of the transmission look for YouTube videos by "Jeff Richardson" (BMW version of the transmission)

Here's the manufacturer's parts catalog for the Porsche 5HP-19 FL. It has some good diagrams and the fill procedure:
http://www.zf.com/media/media/document/int_print_catalogs_documents/usa_4/5hp19flporsche.pdf

There's some pertinent information on this thread concerning draining and refilling the tip:
http://986forum.com/forums/performance-technical-chat/51354-engine-floor-now-what.html

+ 1 on your take on the TIP. Don't forget there are 5 driving 'maps' in the computer that ups the performance depending on your driving style. Good to know it would handle more HP as it certainly could use more....:cheers:
AKL

I have a tip and love it. So does my wife who can`t drive a manual.

Tiptronic all the way, wouldn't go back to the stick either. Even got the thick 320mm wheel and paddle shifters that completes the kit

Oh and, I became so good at it that I can blip the throttle between gears / right before downshifting. Used only for a little illegal accel, in the tunnel, when nobody is looking! It just sounds really good (that, with the ricer sound of the 2.5L). Blissss

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1381469734.jpg

Where did you get that steering wheel?

Brother you need to feed that engine some air!

987 Air Box | 996 76mm TB | 997 Distribution T | K&N Air Filter

http://986forum.com/forums/performance-technical-chat/32074-987-v-986-air-box.html

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/31693-maf-throttle-body-diameter.html

This is a RAID steering wheel if I am not mistaken (my indy installed it for me by mistake lol). Not entirely cheap when adding the paddles but quality is unbeatable - does feels exactly like the Ferrari wheel; thick, heavy, solid core/metal, no vibrations, immortal nappa leather and threads

Only avail in the EU for some strange reason

Thanks for the info, yep they are not cheap price wise.

http://www.carnewal.com/Raid

How much fluid is needed when doing a filter change?

Thanks!

This should give you everything you need to know.:cheers:
Pelican Technical Article: Changing Boxster Automatic Transmission Fluid - 986 / 987

So if you're doing the filter change, you should have 12 liters on hand?

To KRAM26
 

KRAM36, changed my 02 when i bought it at 46k 6 years ago, if i remember correctly about 6L was enough with pan drop and filter change. Last year i bought a 20L Pentosin from amazon for about $220. the car was at 86k. For three weeks in a row i drained and refilled (drain without pan drop and filter change was only about 4L), on the fourth week i drained, dropped the pan and changed the filter, this was the only method i could figure for a "flush". turned out just right with the 20L jug. What a noticeable difference in transmission performance. just my experience, hope it gives you some direction.

Driving the Tiptronic
 

Never drive in any mode but M. Keep revs between 3-4k at steady driving. When in a 55 zone the car does not need to be in 5th, fourth runs at 3100 or so. You can learn to down shift "safely" breaking with left foot and throttle blipping with right to rev match. Ya, the 02 isn't new enough for the computer to do that. Completely different than the wife's 2014 Q50, the computer does the rev match for you as all new cars do. Tip in manual mode is a great experience, don't miss driving a stick.

Nice wheel
 

Ive seen that wheel in other posts of yours, envious... the stock tip wheel sucks, too easy to accidentally "palm" shift when turning a corner. Drive it M all the time but still occasionally palm shift the damn thing... the clickers are just in a bad location.... Paddles would be sooooo much better.

Off the comments in that article I was figuring to have 7 liters on hand, but in the article itself he says to have a container that can hold 12 liters for draining. I'm not looking to do a complete flush like you did. Trans shifts fine, just figure it's time to do the filter change.

Yeah, that wheel looks great, but the price doesn't.

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1381469734.jpg

How would you get the filter changed unless you drain the sump?

I do plan to drain the fluid and pull the sump. Most of the comments said said 6.5 liters was all they could get back in.

How much fluid do you think I need on hand?

I'm wondering why you don't drain the whole trans as long as you've drained the sump and replace all the fluid as per Dempsey.

Were does it say in that DIY link about replacing all the fluid? I'm not seeing it.

turboflyer "Comments: I have done the fluid change, filter also at 60K now setting at 91K. What I want to do is totally pump out the old fluid. I think the math is a bit off on just doing it twice. That won't get her done as they say. you will be changing a 55/50 mix and still have old fluid. Would be more like 4 or 5 times but you know what I mean. So is there a way to purge it all?
I though of maybe a making an adaptor to go inlace of the filter and and then connecting it to a source of 10L of ATF. Not sure if I would damage something or not.
Also considered the trans cooler lines but I don't think it carries all the ATF. Most likely a bypass cooler, not sure.
Some one said Mobile One ATF was fine. I spoke to Mobil tech and they said they did not have a fluid that fit the requirements.
Has any one done a complete fluid change? If so what worked? Thanks in advance.
November 5, 2013
Followup from the Pelican Staff: The best way to purge it all is to use a transmission flush machine. The machine will hook up to the cooler hoses and pump in new fluid as the oil fluid is pumped out. "

I asked about where is was in the article. I didn't read all the comments.

So do you have a transmission flush machine? I don't have one.

You're in Kansas, I'm in CA so it wouldn't matter. I would think you could find one at a rental co.

Flush
 

Like i stated in the previous post i was unable to find a mechanical method to flush the transmission, so i approached the the manual way, and just changed it 4 weeks in a row, last time dropping the pan and changing the filter. From a visual standpoint that last drain with filter change the oil was looking like it came out of the bottle, flush success... Not that it was performing poorly before, but there was a noticeable difference after i completed this process.

Ok I have a 99 with a tip transmission but the M mode doesnt work. any good diy for diagnosing? It hasnt worked since i bought the car. will a durametric help to diagnose?

Does it do anything in "M" mode?

I would suggest checking all of the mechanical switching system first. Does it show up on your dash indicators when you switch from D to M? If not you may have an issue with the contacts on the shifter. After that I would work my way back threw the system. If you are not getting the flashing 4toD limp mode it's more than likely a dirty contact somewhere. In the switching system. Hope you do not have an issue with your TCM. I could be wrong it's been awhile but I do believe it's a separate computer for the trip.

nothing happens when put in M mode

You need to get the codes read. A Durametric will give you this info. Possibly a wiring harness issue, but you need to get the diagnosis.

So the car won't even move? When you put it in M does the M light come on the gauge and does it show it in a gear? You need to give more info as it may be a sensor/linkage issue in the selector or the steering wheel and may not have thrown a code but you should check that as has been mentioned.

the car drives fine but the manual mode does not work. I can put it in p,r,n,d no problem. I don't think it has given a code. I have a durametric and will check. again this didn't just happen it has been like this from when I bought the car. I would like to fix it. when I move the shifter lever to M it does not go into the manual mode it stays in the automatic mode.

There are several switches attached to the Tip, one is at the shift selector lever and tells the control module which position the selector is in. I suspect this is where your problem is. The housing, around the lever, has to be removed to access and test it. If it isn't that one there is another on the driver's side of the trans. The only other one, I could find, is the actual pin position in the control module wiring harness that is also listed as a switch to trans ECU.
Personally I'd start at the shift lever switch as it sounds to me like it is not engaging the rest of the switches to tell the ECU it is in M.
Hope this helps.:cheers:

The Durametric has a section for the Tiptronic. It will store the code(s) ,if any, there. If you don't see any code(s), then Luv2Box probably hit what to look at.