Just bought a 2004 Cayenne S and after driving it 500 miles I've found a few things that might require some attention and could use some input.

Most annoying thing right now is the a/c blower has decided to not want to shut off at all, even when I turn the car off, I had to pull fuse #56. I also cannot control the blower speed when using the a/c, even if I turn it all the way down it blows full speed. On BMWs I would know this to be some kind of resistor issue, is it the same here?

Another thing is while slowing down the transmission makes a sort of double clunk noise when downshifting to D2 (sounds like running over two of those rumble strips that warn you of a stop sign/red light coming up). From what I found this is some kind of software issue and I can try to get the dealership to update it and reset some things, but it's not guaranteed to fix it and I may just have to live with it. Any other input?

Lastly, it seems like maybe my front differential or something is pretty loud. At highway speeds when I let off the gas I think I can hear it quite a bit (the sounds goes away if I put it in neutral). I also just heard some rather loud clunk/crunch coming from the right front wheel when taking a slow turn in a parking lot. I could not replicate it and it wasn't something I ran over. Any ideas?

I'm think of changing all the differential/transmission fluids and what not, is this a bad idea? I know on some BMWs the transmissions don't react too nicely to oil changes.

The car has right over 157k miles now, how much longer might I be able to get out of it?

Oh, one last question. The traction mode selector thing on the center console, how does that work? If I push it down nothing happens, if I push it up a little red light blinks.

 

Did you test drive this car before you bought it????

From what I can think of some of your issues we will start with the AC and blower fan, sounds like its on constant since it blows even when you shut it off. this could be a number of things the electronic panal that controls it could be bad, the resistor and so on

2. The transmission sounds your hearing might be one in the same with the sounds your hearing in the wheels, this car sounds like it has a few issues, I would start with the most important first and so on.

Also check the intermediate shaft this is a known issue on our cars it may be the cause of alot of the rumbling sounds there is a bushing that tends to go.

Lastly do a search there is a lot of info on here with some of the problems your having

 

About differentials, I would change fluid asap. I have DIY for each, and while you are at it, do the transfer case. Would do tranny fluid too.

Transfer case DIY


Front diff DIY


Rear diff diy


After you change the fluids see if you notice improvement.

For ac, remove the front AC controller, reseat the cables (unplug for about 20 sec). Make sure the connections are solid. Would be nice to have durametric for testing.

 

Of course not

None of that stuff was too apparent the two times I test drove it, but I knew it wouldn't be problem free so I'm not surprised.

Thanks for the info, and I've been searching and still am, lots of good stuff. Just thought I'd start a thread to help point me in the right direction on somethings and maybe make sure I don't over look some things while searching.

 

+1 for this that is a big help for him......one thing you have to know though if the vehicle was misused its costly to fix so asking if your going to get more out of it is hard to say. But one thing is changing fluids doesnt make sounds go away thats usually an indication that something is afoul.

 

no problem as long as you knew what you were getting into, there are some very good folks on here so ask away were all here to help

 

Agree but at this time he has two choices, take to mechanic to fix for big mula, or at least start troubleshooting with a baseline. Good luck.

 

The A/C problem is almost certainly the blower motor resistor, or "regulator" as Porsche calls it.

 

You have gotten some good advice already. Instead of the shotgun approach to asking questions, I would suggest you prioritize your issues, then focus on each one individually. This will also result in clearer responses to a specific issue.

Like Aspenone said, there are many helpful people here. Welcome!

 

this really is great info, surprised I haven't seen it sooner given all the hours spent on 6sp. Gotta tell ya, living in NYC I don't own a single tool other than what came with the car but seeing the fluid change and reading about all the mods you guys get to do yourselves has me longing for the garage & tools of my misspent youth. never had the oppty to weld like r-man but have torn down some engines and they ran when i put them back together again!! cheers

 

You may want to inspect the CV joints as well.

 

Thanks, I'll be ordering the fluids and whatnot and do those within the next couple weeks.
Should I do the transmission fluid as well?

Yep, definitely not taking it to a mechanic

That's what I was thinking, I just ordered a used one for $20. Lets hope it works.

Thanks for the advice, I'll start new threads for specific issues if I'm stumped. I just didn't want to make a bunch of threads right away and don't really have anything prioritized as of yet.

I do believe my front right CV joint might need replacing because of the noise I heard, but I'm not sure how to inspect it and tell whether it's bad or not.

 

If your in NY I can give you a good mechanic that is "honest" which is rare. Also make sure you go with OEM fluids when doing this type of work its the best approach. As far as the Transmission problems I would really find out what the issue is first before just draining fluid, because sometimes its like opening up a can of worms when draining fluid. Like I said before just cause you change fluids doesnt mean you fixed the problem.

 

Hey aspenone, i'm in ny and would welcome a mechanic recommendation.

 

PM'd