JHM ECU and TCU Tune Update

A6 All/ S6 All
#1

Hi guys,

I’ve applied the ECU Tune a couple of months ago to my Audi S6, in addition to the TCU tune which was on previously, and I just wanted to share some experiences and see if its consistent with what others are having. (I’ve also emailed JHM and waiting to hear back)

POSITIVES

  1. Firstly the torque at lower rpm is much stronger and the car feels like it pulls a lot harder through to 4,000rpm.
  2. The power feels much stronger and the car is more eager.
  3. Throttle feels more sensitive (might just be the torque)
  4. The SAI delete option has removed some of the cold start up jerkiness that I was previously experienced. Was only minor anyway.

NEGATIVES

  1. My biggest issue: I did a track day a couple of weeks ago and although the car felt strong, in manual mode, the transmission does not let me shift UP on anything more than a light (1/4) throttle. It then just auto shifts up when it hits the red line. Sometimes I click the UP paddle multiple times and its only 5 seconds later that it shifts up, or not at all. This obviously makes it very difficult to drive confidently on track when I’m not in full control of the car as I’m not always sure what gear i’m in. Also its a bit dangerous as I don’t want to be bouncing off the red line mid corner. In day to day driving and with very light throttle it will let me manually shift up.
  2. In Standard Drive mode the shift with light throttle (even feather light thrtottle) occurs at higher rpm than I’d like it. So it shifts at say 3-3,500rpm with very light throttle, rather than at 2-2,500rpm. Not the biggest issue in the world and I can live with that.
  3. In Standard Drive mode (wife driving mode), when if you do anything more than light throttle the shift point moves higher and is at 4-4,500rpm and if I leave ESP on there is a THUMP when it goes to change from 2nd to 3rd gear and the car cuts power (like it has shifted to neutral) at the point of the shift. The power then comes back a second or two later. The ESP light does not come on, but if I turn ESP off this issue isn’t there. Regardless I think the shifts are much too hard in standard Drive mode. They really Thump very hard. I think it may be something to do with the shift being at around 4,000rpm at Peak torque. The shifts are 7,000rpm are faster and smoother than those at 4,000 rpm which are very violent.

Please could I get your thoughts and experiences? Same as mine, or am I unique? Thanks guys.

#2

Interested in this topic. I’m looking at the JHM tune on my 5.2

#3

Sounds like there is something wrong with your transmission.

I would start with checking to see if your TCU or ECU has any codes. I would reset your or do your throttle body adaption.

If you up shift in M mode and don’t get a response. You might want to check your fluid or look in vag com to make sure your M paddles are actually working and sending a signal.

If you click the up shift and it takes 5 seconds to shift or for the shift to start. There is something wrong with the signal from your paddles or in your TCU as none of us have this happen.

If your tracking your S6 and having these issues. You should get a transmission cooler as your TCU might be in limp mode. When was the last time you changed your TCU fluid… How much did you take out. Did you change the TCU filter and what PN did you put back in filter wise.

If you get harsh shifting or late shifting everything sounds like your low on fluid if you’re getting delayed shifts like this.

#4

Ok thanks for the help. Sounds like it’s just me then.

I had the transmission service done 6 months ago. I’ll speak to my mechanic and get him to double check fluid levels. It was all fine with the previous ECU tune but issue started to occur with the JHM ECU tune. However yes there may be another issue at play that the tune is unveiling.

I’ll try the throttle position reset and go from there.

Thanks
Richard

#5

Do you mean it started once you added the TCU tune? Also do you drive in manual a lot? Maybe your mechatronic unit is trying to save itself?

#6

The ECU tune isn’t going to effect the TCU tune. Other than the fact the ECU tune will allow more hp.

Sounds like you might have some issues to look into. Check both your ECU and TCU for codes -
If you don’t see any codes in the TCU. Try resetting the TCU. You can reset the TCU by hitting clear codes. Even if there are none.

Sounds like in part. Perhaps your TCU is in soft limp mode. Or like Justin said, you’re low on fluid.

Thump shifts are generally a MAF issue. As the MAF reads how much air is coming in and is part of the calculation to how much pressure needs to be given.

Either way. What your experiencing in the late shifts and no up shifts. Are not normal. A large amount of us drive around in M mode for fun and have never had any of the issues you’re referring to. Sounds like there is something deeper going on.

#7

Hi guys,

Sorry was away for the weekend so I haven’t been able to do any testing on the car yet. Thanks for all the feedback and help. This is really good.

Yes, this issue only started occurring following the JHM ECU tune, which I applied in January. I already had the TCU tune on previously, and it was working as expected until I applied the ECU tune. It does feel like the transmission is trying to save itself as the torque feels like it has significantly increased.

I would hope not low on fluid as the transmission service and fluid change was done by my mechanic in September. I don’t know the details of the fluid or the TCU filter he used, but I will ask him.

Paddle shifters are definitely working as the shifts do occur when you shift at lower rpm with light throttle. The issue occurs above 1/4 throttle.

I will check for codes tonight (although nothing has triggered a CEL) and take her for a drive and do some more testing. Unfortunately it does become hard to test without a track/airport runway, haha So I’ll be doing my testing in 2nd gear only.

Thanks again for the help guys and I’ll come back to you following some additional testing.

Thanks
Richard

Is there a way of testing the level of the fluid?