Versions of gearbox TCU for PF S8
 

Having had my gearbox "transformed" recently by an oil and filter change I still feel it has the odd "twitch" so I'm looking at trying a new TCU.
I know that the previous owner had a couple of changes made to the car electronics, one of which was to change the shift pattern to hold gears longer - might that just have been a coding change?
(the other was to remove the 250kph limit :tuttut: which I think was a chip replacement)

There seem to be a number of TCU versions available, from A8parts and others, all 4D0 927 156 Bx (x varies) for the PF D2 S8. (The FL D2 models seem to have a Cx suffix).

Does anyone know what the significance of the version suffixes is? So far I've seen BG, BK and BL?

There's a lot of potential variations (well 6 actually) and from what I can tell it depends on the engine code which one(s) you should look at.

What's your engine code and I'll tell you which part numbers it specifies for the tcu?

Thanks, but being a bit dumb, what's an engine code look like and where do I find it?
It a 32V PF S8 (1998) if that helps.... Isn't that an ABZ or is it something more specific you need?

not sure how many variations on engine code there might be, but it'll be in the front of your service book - you're right it's a 3 letter code :)

Not in mine, lost and replaced :(
(nor the boot sticker, lost in a body shop)

How about AHC? Engine number on V5C starts AHC. +++

AHC will be it I think.. S8 PF

Engine code is AHC for PF S8

Yep, AHC defo an option :D

That has 4 options associated with it - BG, BM, BK or BL

BG is associated with gearbox code DYM
BM - ECX, GDC
BK - DTD, DYM, GDB
BL - ECX

Sounds like the loss of your stickers could prove to be a major PITA unless your local dealer can print off the spec details based on VIN only? Other option is to pull yours and ID the existing part number?

So basically it sounds like there will be one 'correct' part for your engine and gearbox combo unless you get lucky and it's a DYM or ECX.

Looking at engine and gearbox codes in more detail - the AHC engine was fitted from 09/96 to 12/98 and the gearbox codes were used as follows:

DTD - 03/97-12/98
DYM- 08/97-05/98
ECX - 05/98-12/98
GDB - not listed!
GDC - also not listed

Hope that helps a bit!

Adrian

ETA: AKH was also an engine code for PF, but those are only 2 options listed. FL has 4 options for engine code

Thanks for that. The car is October 98 so I guess DTD or ECX could apply.
Any idea what those gearbox codes mean and where to find them?

There should be a ZF plate attached to the gearbox which will include the ZF part number and should also have the Audi part number (or at least part of it) on there. It may be possible to then work it back from that to the 3 letter code.

Is the TCU that difficult to access just to read the part number off the label?

Most of the good ZF info online is based around the American market and I have a hazy recollection that they never got the PF? I certainly can't find the gearbox codes listed in the guides I've seen.

Might be worth a call to technical support at ZF UK (I've spoken to them about fluids before and they were very helpful) to see if they can tell you if there's any real difference between part numbers?