My R32 tyres spin in Park...

[silver32]

Happens approximately every 1000kms and has been doing since new, and is only at 9000km now. Cannot replicate it on demand.

When starting normally, in Park, handbrake on, foot on brake, turn key... engine cranks and JUST as it comes to life, the front tyres let out a violent but small screech, car just feels like it lunges forward a fraction, but other than that, all else is fine, starts up fine and DSG drives well.

What could be wrong? Took it in for service, they reset the DSG at 6000km but still does it. Taking it back next week but I feel they aren't actually doing anything or seem concerned at all.

[Big Yellow]

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm mine has done that a couple times too.

[geralis32]

wow thats interesting mine has never done that, so when its still in park ?

[FJ Steve]

hasn't happened to me (52k kms)...but I'd be bashing the Service Manager's door down to get a result.

[Big Yellow]

yeah, cars going in for a service on the 29th.

let them know then!

[sa-r32]

This sounds quite dangerous, if the handbrake wasn't on do you think the car would move forward ?

I'd be getting this investigated ASAP, before you hit something or somebody.

[gregozedobe]

Sounds like the DSG is engaging a gear and associated clutch as you start the engine. I don't think a DSG should be doing that, and it sounds like it could be both dangerous and putting stress on driveline and brake components that they aren't designed to take.

Is it possible the gear selector is slightly out of adjustment and displaying it is in P when it is in a gear ? (mind you, it shouldn't allow the engine to start if it thinks the selector is in a gear).

I would be going to your dealer and impressing upon them that it is a serious safety issue. If they won't pay attention ask to speak to the dealer principal.

[silver32]

Yeah it happens when in Park while the selector is fully seated in 'P'- and once the engine comes to life all is normal, it's not in gear and appears as if nothing were wrong. It certainly is a SERIOUS safety issue, especially if the handbrake is not engaged and I will make it known to them. It also is quite embarassing having a new $70k vehicle do that in front of friends/family. one person thought I had a manual and started in gear - which makes me look very silly

Big Yellow, have you been able to replicate it at all?

[Big Yellow]

nope!! its such a random thing!

only happened about twice. both times at home, first start in the morning. def in P with handbrake on.

i will definately ask them to check everything that it could be!!

[silver32]

and how many kms have you had your R32 for now Big Yellow?

[Big Yellow]

just hit 33K kms

[SlyOne]

and how many kms have you had your R32 for now Big Yellow?

Mines has never one that....

[silver32]

yeah it's very unsettling. well, left the car at the stealers today - and they wern't able to replicate the fault, so surprise surprise nothing was done about it. I am very disheartened that my new car does this and do not know what else to do as this only occurs about every 1000km and cant be replicated.
How do I prove the fault and worse, even if I had video proof (which I plan on trying to obtain by recording every start), how would they fix a problem they can't replicate?

[gregozedobe]

How do I prove the fault and worse, even if I had video proof (which I plan on trying to obtain by recording every start), how would they fix a problem they can't replicate?

Everyone (customers, mechanics, service mangers) hates intermittent faults for that very reason - it is very difficult to diagnose what is wrong if it happens very rarely

Another thing that just might help (it is only a faint chance, but hey, when you are desperate .... ) is when the problem happens - write down as much as you can remember about the end of the previous journey and the conditions since, as well as current conditions (climate, location, slope of parking, use of handbrake and gear selector etc). Sometimes this will give a useful clue as to what might be causing the problem (eg if someone else only rarely drives the car and their park/switch -off routine is different somehow to yours this may point the mechanic in a helpful direction).

I have heard of a car that was sometimes very hard to start, and they narrowed it down to leaking fuel lines letting air in because the owner noticed it only happened when he parked on a slope facing uphill and to the left (but only to the left, not to the right).

[CatonaPC©]

I have an old habit I picked up in my 1988 Skyline with a slush box. Before I used to switch of the car, I'd move it to neutral to take the stress off the gearbox and brakes, then move it to park. I don't remember the exact reason for why I started doing this but I just felt it was the right thing to do.

As a consequence, I do the same with my DSG. Drive to neutral, foot off and on brake, and then to Park and foot off brake pedal; handbrake on. Then I switch off.

Is there a chance that somehow the gear is still engaged after switching off car? Do you have your foot on the brake when you switch off? Might be a good practice to have the handbrake on and the foot off the brake pedal before switching off the engine. This would at least ensure the DSG has disengaged.