Bad Audi A2 Sensor vs. Failing Transmission Mystery

Last month I had nearly identical symptoms with my 2007 Audi A3 2.0T. The transmission issues started with rough gear shifting and grinding noises, followed by the emergency mode activation. The transmission oil temperature sensor turned out to be faulty, causing incorrect readings and making the transmission control unit behave erratically. During inspection, the mechanic also found the transmission oil level was significantly low, which contributed to the problems. The repair involved: Replacing the defective temperature sensor, Performing a complete transmission oil change, Clearing the transmission control unit fault codes, Testing the gearbox sensor functionality This was not a serious repair compared to potential transmission damage that could have occurred if left unchecked. The grinding sounds typically indicate the transmission is trying to protect itself by limiting functionality. The symptoms you describe match transmission sensor failure patterns. However, have the oil level checked first, as low transmission oil can trigger similar warnings and cause gear shifting problems. Acting quickly helps prevent more extensive transmission issues that could develop from running with insufficient lubrication or a malfunctioning sensor.

Wow, this exactly mirrors what happened to my Audi A2 last winter. The automatic transmission was showing the same symptoms with rough gear shifting and emergency mode issues. Your detailed explanation really helps confirm it was probably the same sensor problem. My mechanic also replaced the transmission oil temperature sensor and did a full transmission oil flush. Would you mind sharing what your total repair cost was? Just wondering if I paid a fair price for the work. Has everything been running smoothly since the repair? My automatic transmission has been working perfectly after the fix, but I like to hear about long-term results from others who had similar gearbox sensor repairs done.

After getting the overheating problems fixed at the shop, my automatic transmission has been working flawlessly for over 8 months now. The repair solved all the gear shifting issues and emergency mode warnings completely. The total came to 365 Euro, which covered replacing the faulty transmission oil temperature sensor and correcting the low transmission oil level. The transmission repair was definitely worth every cent since it prevented potentially major damage to the gearbox. My mechanic explained that running with a bad sensor and low oil level could have led to much costlier transmission issues down the line. Regular transmission oil checks have become part of my maintenance routine now. Since the sensor plays such a crucial role in protecting the automatic transmission, keeping an eye on these components helps catch any problems early. The smooth operation of my gearbox since the fix confirms it was the right call to address the sensor malfunction promptly.

Thanks for the helpful replies everyone. Just wanted to close out this thread with my repair experience since it might help others. Took the car to a transmission specialist who diagnosed the problem right away. The automatic transmission sensor was indeed faulty, just as suggested here. They replaced the transmission oil temperature sensor and did a complete transmission oil change with a system flush. Total repair cost was 390 Euro. The gear shifting is back to normal now, no more grinding or emergency mode issues. The transmission warning lights havent come back on either. Really glad I got it checked out before any major transmission issues developed. The mechanic walked me through everything and showed me the old sensor. He mentioned these transmission sensors commonly fail on these models around this mileage. Regular transmission oil checks are now part of my maintenance schedule to help prevent future problems. Big thanks to everyone who shared their experiences. The info here helped me understand the issue and get it resolved properly without unnecessary repairs or costs.