Vauxhall Insignia Trans Issues: Sensor or Something Worse?

Hey there! I had something similar happen with my 2011 Vauxhall Astra (I'd say I have some experience with car maintenance). The symptoms you're describing sound exactly like what I dealt with last year. In my case, it turned out the transmission oil level was critically low, causing all those issues. Took it to my regular workshop, and they did a full diagnosis. The fix included a transmission oil top-up, filter change, and they also checked the system for any leaks. The whole thing cost me about 365€, but it was worth it, car's been running smoothly since then. Before I can share more specific advice, how many miles/km are on your Insignia? When was the last transmission service? Are you noticing any oil spots where you park? These details would help me give you more targeted advice based on my experience.

Thanks for your detailed reply! I've got 30415 KM on the clock, and just had my latest service done. Actually, now that you mention oil spots, I've noticed some small stains where I usually park. Your experience with the Astra is really helpful, at least I know I'm not alone with these transmission headaches! The cost doesn't sound too scary either. Did your warning light disappear right after the repair, or did it take some time?

Hey again! Yeah, those oil spots are definitely a red flag, just like what I had with my Astra! In my case, the warning light went off pretty much right after they fixed it, but it took about 50-60 km of driving for the transmission to feel completely normal again. I guess it needed some time to properly circulate the new oil through the system. Since you mentioned you're seeing oil spots and you've just had a service, I'd bet money you've got a leak somewhere. That's exactly what happened to me, turned out I had a small crack in one of the transmission seals. Those pesky seals can wear out over time, and sometimes they're not obvious during regular service checks. Quick tip from my experience, if you're taking it to get fixed, ask them to specifically check the transmission seals, especially around the pan gasket area. That's where my leak was, and it's a common weak point on these models. My mechanic showed me the old seal when they replaced it, it was completely shot! Let me know how it goes when you get it checked out. Really curious if you've got the same issue I had!

Thanks so much for all this detailed info! Really appreciate you sharing your experience and that tip about the seals, it's super helpful. I'll definitely ask my mechanic to check those seals, especially around the pan gasket area you mentioned. Fingers crossed it's just that and nothing more serious! I've actually booked it in for next Tuesday, and I'll make sure to specifically mention your experience with the Astra. Having those 50-60 km expectations for normal operation is good to know too, at least I won't panic if it's not perfect straight away. Thanks again for taking the time to help out, it's made me feel a lot more confident about getting this sorted. I'll probably post an update once it's fixed to let everyone know what the actual issue was. Cheers!