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julianlion21

VW Suran Transmission Slipping Between Gears | Repair Help

Hey everyone, my automatic transmission has been acting up lately and I suspect the torque converter might be failing. The transmission slips between gears with grinding sounds, plus both check engine and transmission lights are on. Previous visit to a mechanic left me with trust issues, so looking for advice from who dealt with similar symptoms. Could this be a defective lock-up clutch? Car is a 2017 VW Suran Spacefox, gasoline engine with 60984km. Any experience with this type of transmission repair would be really helpful, especially regarding repair costs and reliable shops.

4 comment(s)

josepheule57

Had similar symptoms with my 2014 VW Golf TSI. The engine surge between gear changes and grinding noises pointed to torque converter failure. When the lock-up clutch started malfunctioning, the transmission would slip unpredictably, especially during highway acceleration. The main signs matched yours exactly, transmission warning light, rough shifting, and that distinctive grinding sound. The converter failure turned out to be quite serious, requiring a complete torque converter replacement along with the clutch pack. The job took about 4 days at the shop due to the complexity. They had to remove the entire transmission to access the torque converter. During inspection, they found metal particles in the transmission fluid, a clear indicator of internal wear. For your VW Suran Spacefox, this definitely sounds like a failing torque converter based on the symptoms. The clutch problem needs addressing soon to prevent further transmission damage. These issues rarely fix themselves and typically get worse with continued driving. Would strongly recommend getting it properly diagnosed with a transmission scanner. The combination of warning lights and mechanical symptoms suggests this isn't a minor issue that can wait.

julianlion21 (Author)

Thanks for sharing your Golf experience, really helps confirm what I was worried about with my Suran Spacefox. The automatic transmission symptoms you described match mine exactly, especially that grinding during gear changes. Did the repair resolve everything completely? Just curious about the full cost of your transmission repair and if you had any other issues pop up afterward. My mechanic suggested around 2000€ for the full job but I want to make sure that's reasonable before committing. The automatic gearbox in these VWs seems pretty reliable overall, but when the lock-up clutch starts failing it definitely needs proper attention. Really appreciate knowing what to expect with the repair timeline too.

josepheule57

After taking my Golf to the transmission specialist, I can confirm the repair completely fixed those troubling symptoms. The auto transmission now shifts smoothly with no grinding or slipping. The torque converter lock-up clutch replacement solved all the issues, final cost was 2120€, which covered parts and labor. The repair actually matches what your mechanic quoted, so that 2000€ estimate seems right on target for this type of transmission work. The torque converter failure required careful rebuilding, but since the fix my transmission has performed flawlessly for the past 8 months. No other problems have surfaced since the repair. The engine surge disappeared completely and the warning lights cleared up as soon as the new lock-up clutch was installed. While the cost was significant, preventing further auto transmission damage made it worthwhile. This kind of transmission repair really needs a qualified specialist who understands these VW systems. The quoted price reflects the complexity of accessing and replacing the torque converter components properly.

julianlion21 (Author)

I finally got my transmission fixed and wanted to share how it turned out. Found a specialist shop that really knew VW transmissions. The automatic transmission repair took 5 days total but was worth the wait. The torque converter replacement ended up costing 1950€, slightly under the initial quote. They showed me the worn parts, the lock-up clutch was completely shot, causing all that grinding during shifts. The transmission fluid was also contaminated with metal particles, confirming the internal damage. Since the repair, the engine surge is completely gone and gear changes are silky smooth again. No more warning lights or strange noises. The shop did a great job explaining everything and even showed me the damaged components they removed. Really glad I got it fixed when I did, the mechanic said waiting longer could have led to complete transmission failure. For anyone facing similar symptoms, definitely get it checked by a transmission specialist. The repair wasnt cheap but saved me from much bigger problems down the road. The transmission repair has held up perfectly for the past 6 weeks. Car drives like new again and I finally have peace of mind knowing its properly fixed.

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