Author Topic: Dreaded - Gearbox Malfunction - you can continue driving - Error in Dash  (Read 1547 times)

Offline Al1040

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Coming back from Manchester early evening last Friday in the warm weather I had the error above come up on the dash and lost odd number gears  :sad:
Managed to get home but it did get progressivley worse.

I Manged to pull the code with my OBD11 and it was P173500 (Position Sensor for Clutch 1 Electrical Malfunction).

I have done a bit of ringing around and it looks to be in the region of 2k if the Mechatronic unit needs replacing which is highly likely. There is of course a TSP for the fault in the UK but unlike US, Aus etc VW have not put out a recall!!

Another option would be to send the unit away for refurbishment for c. £400 but of course would require removing etc.

What are the thoughts of our esteemed members on the best way forward?

Thanks in advance.

Car currently has c.83k, DQ381 7 speed.
I manged to clear the fault and had a quick drive and it has not reoccured.
67 Plate Mk 7.5 GTD DSG

Offline Wayne.R

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Morning dude.

I had the same issue occur, when i owned my Audi A7. Minding my own business and boom, up comes the same message on the dash.
Lost all the even gears.

I got recommended 1 company in Essex, who could look and fix it. - Automatic Transmission Services Ltd, in Mersea, Essex.
T:- 01206 386 303

Long story short, it cost me £4500, for new clutch packs, and a host of other bits, but thankfully not the Mechatronics.

It was explained, that a transmission service hadn't been completed, though the service book had said it had, and the fluid had failed and fused bits together, having done over 70,000 miles!!!

Maybe give these guys a ring. They're very good.
2016 Tornado Red, GTI PP, DSG, 5 door

Offline Finglonga

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Long story short, it cost me £4500, for new clutch packs, and a host of other bits, but thankfully not the Mechatronics.

Cost me the same to get a complete new gearbox from VW fitted a few years ago.  :huh:

Offline willni

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Two brothers both had this fault and I think it was £1,800 at VW (Not including a DSG oil change btw). But what I would say is I'd contact

https://www.ecutesting.com/

They did my ABS pump in my Edition 30, and I know others are going to them for the mechatronics boxes now, eg.

https://www.ecutesting.com/product-catalogue/volkswagen/tiguan/ecu-transmission/etm27711g-a/

Note if you get it from VW, there's circa 6 week lead time for the part now, as it has to be programmed at the manufacturer before it can go into your car.

At least over here in N.I, the price difference between specialist and Volkswagen was £200, with Volkswagen offering a 2 year warranty on the work. Not sure what specialists would offer (Possibly the same?) but it's worth speaking with a specialist as well.
Mk7.5 GTI - Performance Pack, DSG, Sunroof, Dynaudio, Pro Nav, Vienna Leather, Climate Windscreen & last of the 3 doors....Many Sets of Alloys...

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Offline Al1040

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Thanks guys,
In the end decided to do it myself and sent the Mech unit to ECS testing, c.£500 inc delivery ans was returned within 48 hours.
Another £200 later for then oils filters etc. (the fact that Seat has the mech unit bolts in stock tells you something about this type of fault)

What in theory is a very simple job (if you say it quickly) one plug, 4 bolts for the cover and 9 bolts for the unit itself it probably took nearly all day to get it out.
Getting car level on jacks and ramps was fun, removing undertray and trying to undo the plug and the clip meant eventually having to remove the battery and airbox, (this did help with being able to get at the filter from above) then having to be very care with the small Torx bolts out it came, fitting of course was the reverse, new mech bolts but used the old sump (mine did not have the replaceable gasket).

Bought the fill tube from Ali Express, £10 well spent, did the oil and filter change, came to start the car and would not start!

Lots of errors when battery was reconnected cleared most but still would not start, had to reset the steering, end to end lock and then cleared faults with OBD11 still would not start, lots of head scratching and fearing for the worst, the problem as a voltage issue which led to the earth strap not being as tight as it needed to be (was removed for access) a bigger spanner on that and yeah it fired up.....

Not done many miles since but it has behaved itself with no errors  :grin: and the Mech unit comes with a lifetime warranty, hopefully will not need that, but as car is a keeper you never know.

Fingers crossed all is well!
67 Plate Mk 7.5 GTD DSG