Engine mount solenoid failure - causing a feeling like grumbly transmission?

4.2 V8 32v Naturally Aspirated - 414 bhp
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ewand
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Engine mount solenoid failure - causing a feeling like grumbly transmission?

Post by ewand » Thu Apr 08, 2021 1:19 pm

hi all

My UK 57-plate B7 RS4 Avant with 92k miles has developed what feels like a slight judder, and I figured it might be transmission related. It's most notable when the car is cold, and when at low revs but above idle (2-3k), on steady throttle or when engine braking, and it just gives a grumbling judder like you're driving over rippled road surface. Sitting on cruise control at 40mph sometimes feels like the transmission is slipping ever so slightly - it feels like the revs are see-sawing ever so slightly but not enough to notice on the rev counter - just not steady and smooth.

I had a CV joint replaced late last year and noticed the tranny chatter after that, though it's quite possible that it had been present before; the garage who did that work said it might be a gearbox issue (car is on the original clutch AFAIK) and recommended a transmission specialist, who took a look at the car and pulled some DTCs (which to my shame I didn't think of doing before taking it to them). So I ran it through VCDS myself when I got it home - amongst the various codes caused by (I think) a flat battery some weeks ago, were 60 instances of:

005491 - Left Engine Mount Solenoid Valve (N144): Open Circuit
P1573 - 004 - No Signal/Communication
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01100100
Fault Priority: 0
Fault Frequency: 60
Mileage: 141140 km <-- ie about 4,000 miles ago

Now if the active engine mounts reduce vibration, particularly when pressing on, would a duff mount - or an electrical problem to the solenoid valve - cause a fairly noticeable juddering at low and steady speeds?

The Right Engine Mount Solenoid Valve is also showing one instance of the same fault, but it's as of current mileage - so I wonder if it's a phantom...

Maybe I'll just get the car booked in to have both mounts replaced anyway - I'm supposing the labour to do both won't be 2x the labour to do one...

cheers
Ewan
8V S3 cab - Ara Blue
Lotus Evora 400 - Racing Green
Ex owner B7 RS4 - Mugello Blue, B8 S5 Cab - Sprint Blue, D3 A8

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