DSG gearstick moving from D mode to S mode all by itself

[kingbilly]

Pulled out of a junction tonight with gearstick in D mode and GENTLY accelerated on my way...1st...2nd...3rd...4th...5th...then it felt like I had kicked down but hadn't...and the dashboard display showed that I was now in 3rd gear...it also showed that I was in S mode.

The gearstick was also in S mode, and had moved all by itself.  This is the second time recently this has happened.  I ignored the first time as I had a passenger and assumed that he had done it whilst I was watching for traffic at a junction.

The car is 2007 07 with 32k miles.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated, thank you.
Billy

[Hurdy]

The car is telling you that you aren't driving it hard enough

Seriously though, I'd take it back to VW as it should still be in warranty

[Ed30DSG]

There is a recall on later DSG cars as a sensor on the g/box is causing it to jump into neutral, maybe yours has something similar?

[Teutonic_Tamer]

It sounds like the gate for the shift lever is toast.  Does the little lever on the front edge of the gear knob still work?

If you are feeling brave, you can pull up the gaitor base trim - put the shift lever into N, then using two fingers on BOTH hands, gently 'hook' each finger under each corner of the gaitor (you'll need to push the gaitor down) to get under the lip of the hard plastic trim - then just evenly pull up.  The base trim of the gaitor should just pop up, and you can then check the white nylon gear lever 'gate' for any obvious brakages.

HTH

[Teutonic_Tamer]

There is a recall on later DSG cars as a sensor on the g/box is causing it to jump into neutral, maybe yours has something similar?

But that will be a 'mechatronics' command funtion.  The OPs problem is just the gear lever moving, and has nowt to do with any sensors on the actual gearbox.

[TeddyKGB]

I didnt think it was possible for the gear lever to move? Maybe the OP is knocking it with their elbow or something?

[Teutonic_Tamer]

I didnt think it was possible for the gear lever to move? Maybe the OP is knocking it with their elbow or something?

What, from D to S?    It shouldn't do it of its own free will, but the driver can obviously shift it.  But you have to press the little lever on the front face of the gear knob.

[TeddyKGB]

What, from D to S? 

I meant on its own

[bobotheclown]

here's a tutorial on how to remove the gear lever gator/cover

http://diy.oempl.us/article_info.php?articles_id=23

[kingbilly]

Many thanks for all the replies.

T_T

Yes, the little lever on the front edge of the gearstick appears to be working as expected...couldn't move from D to S or N to R without applying it.

Took a brave pill this morning and pulled up the gaiter base trim as advised...the white nylon gear lever gate shows no signs of breakage/damage.

I am convinced that the gearstick moved itself...the light on the lettering beside it definitely showed S mode.

Guess I will just need to wait and see if it happens again.

Thanks again,
Billy