Safety functions of gearbox control unit — AUDI

Safety functions of gearbox control unit
In the event of a failure of one or more components/sensors, the gearbox control unit will activate appropriate backup functions. This ensures that the gearbox will not be damaged, however, the function and quality of the gear shifts will be impaired.
Faults detected by the gearbox are classified in four different categories.
1) The fault is stored and a backup programme enables the vehicle to drive on (in some cases with restrictions). The driver will not be made aware of the problem, as it is not critical to driving safety or to the gearbox itself. The selector lever position display in the instrument cluster will continue to show the selector lever position currently engaged in the normal way. If at all, the driver will only notice the fault if he experiences driveability problems, and will then automatically contact an Audi Service Partner to identify the cause.
2) Certain positions on the selector lever position display in the instrument cluster start to flash. This is to inform the driver that this particular selector lever position is currently not available. Example: position
“D”
is not available when the selector lever is in position
“R”
and the vehicle is still rolling backwards. In this case, selector lever position
“D”
will start to flash on the selector lever position display in the instrument cluster. The gearbox control unit prevents the 1st gear from being engaged in order to avoid damage to the gearbox. 1st gear will be engaged once the vehicle has come to a standstill.
3) The complete selector lever position display in the instrument cluster is lit up and flashing. The current selector lever position is indicated in the instrument cluster (e.g.
“D”
is highlighted). This is an indication that the gearbox has been overloaded or the maximum temperature in the gearbox has been exceeded (overheating), e.g. towing a load that was too heavy.
4) If the complete selector lever position display in the instrument cluster is lit up and flashing, this means that a serious fault in the gearbox has been identified. The display in the instrument cluster no longer shows the current selector lever position. The defect is critical with regard to driving safety or the gearbox itself. It may no longer be possible to use all gears. The driver is made aware by the flashing gear selection indicator that he should immediately contact an Audi Service Partner.