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williamkoenig1

DSG Transmission Failure: VW Sharan Shows Early Symptoms

My automatic gearbox has been acting up recently, jerky shifts, slow response on paddles, and grinding sounds. The transmission even went into limp mode. Previous mechanic visit left me skeptical, so looking for advice. Car is running a DSG transmission that seems to have electronic issues. Anyone dealt with a faulty transmission control unit before? Running a 2019 VW Sharan diesel with just 27906km. Really hoping to avoid major transmission repair and wondering if others had similar gearbox issues at such low mileage. Any recommendations for getting this properly diagnosed and fixed would be great.

4 comment(s)

MatthiasWolfie

Had similar transmission control issues on my 2016 VW Touran 2.0 TDI. The symptoms matched exactly, jerky shifting, delayed paddle response and transmission going into limp mode. Proper transmission diagnosis revealed a faulty transmission control unit. The automotive ECU was registering multiple error codes related to the mechatronic unit. This turned out to be a serious issue requiring specialized repair at a transmission workshop. The fix involved replacing the mechatronic unit and reprogramming the transmission control module. The automatic gearbox needed complete recalibration after the repair. Workshop time was substantial since accessing the DSG transmission components required partial removal of the transmission. For your case, recommend finding a shop specializing in DSG transmissions. Basic mechanics often lack the diagnostic equipment for transmission control issues. Look for places with dedicated transmission diagnosis tools and experience with VW DSG units specifically. Given the low mileage, worth checking if this falls under powertrain warranty coverage. These symptoms typically indicate electronic control issues rather than mechanical wear, which makes sense considering your vehicle age and kilometers.

williamkoenig1 (Author)

Thanks for sharing your experience with the DSG transmission repair. Really helpful to hear about the mechatronic unit replacement fixing similar symptoms. Did you happen to remember the total repair cost? Also curious if your automatic gearbox has performed flawlessly since the fix or if you noticed any other transmission control quirks? My VW Sharan is just approaching the warranty period end, so I should probably get this checked soon. The transmission diagnosis seems quite involved based on what you described.

MatthiasWolfie

I got the transmission control unit replaced last month and the automatic gearbox has been working perfectly since. The total cost came to 1000€ for fixing the faulty control module, including diagnostic work and reprogramming. Much better than facing a complete transmission repair. The transmission diagnosis was indeed complex, but worth getting it done by specialists. Since the fix, gear shifts are smooth again and the paddles respond instantly. No more error codes or limp mode issues with the automotive ECU. Definitely get yours checked while still under warranty. The symptoms you described are nearly identical to what I experienced, and waiting could lead to more expensive repairs later. The DSG transmission is quite sophisticated, so addressing electronic control issues early is crucial. Good thing I went to transmission specialists, they had the right diagnostic equipment to pinpoint the exact problem with the control unit. Regular shops often miss these kinds of electronic transmission faults.

williamkoenig1 (Author)

Thanks for the input. I took the car to a transmission specialist last week, and the diagnostic process was thorough. They connected advanced scanning equipment to check the automotive ECU and found multiple fault codes in the transmission control module. Turns out the automatic gearbox needed a new mechatronic unit, similar to what others experienced. Total repair cost was 950€, but thankfully warranty covered most of it since I got it checked just in time. The transmission specialist spent about 6 hours on the job, including complete recalibration of the control unit. The gearbox issues are now completely resolved. Shifts are butter smooth, no more grinding sounds, and the paddles respond instantly. Really glad I didnt wait longer or try fixing it at a regular shop that might have missed the electronic control problems. If anyone else faces similar transmission problems with their DSG, definitely recommend going straight to a specialist. The right diagnostic equipment makes all the difference in identifying these control module faults.

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