A1 2011 DSG Gearbox Issues

[Brad93]

Believe abs sensor is causing gearbox trouble. Speedo losing all sense of where it's at, gearbox getting stuck in 7th gear and refusing to change down in auto or manual.

VAGCOM (first time using) throws a few codes. Will chuck up screenshots shortly.

I can get a new sensor tomorrow from euro car parts (Pagid)

What's the likely hood of it just being the sensor? Do they have an ABS ring or is it part of the bearing?

 

[Chippie]

ABS ring is part of the brg assy. Did front o/s one recently on my sons Tiguan….magnet was fractured causing erroneous readings

If you go for a new hub assy, get the SKF one….don’t skimp…

 

[oldbikedavey]

Thought you meant Dean, Smith and Grace for a moment...

 

[Brad93]

Thought you meant Dean, Smith and Grace for a moment...

If only, a modern DSG

 

[Brad93]

ABS ring is part of the brg assy. Did front o/s one recently on my sons Tiguan….magnet was fractured causing erroneous readings

If you go for a new hub assy, get the SKF one….don’t skimp…

Doubt I could spring for a hub assembly at the minute, a new bearing maybe.

Edit: Is it just the hub and bearing or the whole upright assembly?

 

[chrismac]

A mate had a A1 with DSG, it also had gearbox trouble, seized solid... big money repair.

 

[Brad93]

A mate had a A1 with DSG, it also had gearbox trouble, seized solid... big money repair.

There's nothing actually that complicated about the gearbox, if I remember correctly it's the mechatronic unit

 

[premmington]

There's nothing actually that complicated about the gearbox, if I remember correctly it's the mechatronic unit

We done loads of these in my workshop - six and seven speed DSG's.

Fluid changes - clutches and flywheels - mechatronic units - rotten mechatronic sump replacements - pressure accumulator cracked plates - mechatronic solenoid swaps - and the normal seven speed shift bar plastic guide failure. Plus speed sensor swap outs on seven speed boxes.

You need a few special tools but not many - mostly go/no go gauges and setting blocks for the clutch packs - that is about it. Plus the threaded adapter and filling pump for the fluid. Plus there is a special prybar type thing - to push the clutch arm back on the six speed box.

Coding used mechatronic units is a J protocol pass thru job sometimes - if swapping out earlier ones for a later one. Desoldering and swapping out failed solenoids in pairs - is normally the easiest route. In the early days I used to rob used solenoids from dead boxes - but now there is loads of new ones out of Europe avail' off the internet.


Whole VAG DSG thing - been a good income source for me - to be honest.

 

[GRW]

We done loads of these in my workshop - six and seven speed DSG's.

Fluid changes - clutches and flywheels - mechatronic units - rotten mechatronic sump replacements - pressure accumulator cracked plates - mechatronic solenoid swaps - and the normal seven speed shift bar plastic guide failure. Plus speed sensor swap outs on seven speed boxes.

You need a few special tools but not many - mostly go/no go gauges and setting blocks for the clutch packs - that is about it. Plus the threaded adapter and filling pump for the fluid. Plus there is a special prybar type thing - to push the clutch arm back on the six speed box.

Coding used mechatronic units is a J protocol pass thru job sometimes - if swapping out earlier ones for a later one. Desoldering and swapping out failed solenoids in pairs - is normally the easiest route. In the early days I used to rob used solenoids from dead boxes - but now there is loads of new ones out of Europe avail' off the internet.


Whole VAG DSG thing - been a good income source for me - to be honest.

I superficially /theoretically understood all of that. Enough to know that practically I doubt it would be something I'd want to tackle.
Your post does confirm my feelings of avoiding anything with these kinds of "flappy paddle" DSG equipped vehicles is the right choice (for me).
(I personally loathe the electric handbrake things VAG afflict their cars with anyway - which in itself puts me off totally).

 

[Chippie]

Doubt I could spring for a hub assembly at the minute, a new bearing maybe.

Edit: Is it just the hub and bearing or the whole upright assembly?

You buy the hub assembly, comes with new bearings and sensor ring.
It’s bolted to the hub carrier which sits at the bottom of the strut…

what codes have you got? Should indicate whether you got a hub/sensor issue or summat with the gearbox….

 

[oldbikedavey]

Vorsprung durch Teknik.
As my granny's cat once said....

 

[Ton-up]

Premmington, Is there a good VW auto box, I'm really thinking of those in the T6, T6.1 Transporters? I have a 6 speed manual (230,000 miles with no issues) but would like an auto next, but the DSG horror stories put me off!!

 

[premmington]

I superficially /theoretically understood all of that. Enough to know that practically I doubt it would be something I'd want to tackle.
Your post does confirm my feelings of avoiding anything with these kinds of "flappy paddle" DSG equipped vehicles is the right choice (for me).
(I personally loathe the electric handbrake things VAG afflict their cars with anyway - which in itself puts me off totally).

@GRW Your quote "I superficially /theoretically understood all of that." made me smile

I got a VW Passat Highline estate myself - 2012/13 thing - 130k on clock - with 6speed DSG box in it - I like it - it a good gearbox. Been a good car - had it a long while now - will have another Passat estate with 1.5TSi and DSG box next - this 2012 2.0 Tdi I got now - will be the last diesel I have for myself. I could not step into Euro 6 - NOX adblue stuff for myself - the bills I am writting out for customers - I just could not stomach the parts element of them for my own personal car - I would rather buy a bit more petrol at the pump at 5p a litre cheaper than DERV.

I had not trouble with my DSG at all - but I have changed the fluid and gearbox filter every 30k - plus I done the electronic calibrations every oil change to adjust the clutches up.

I have seen Taxis with 400.000miles on the clock with DSG boxes and if they been serviced - the worst they have had is a DMF in them.

 

[GRW]

@GRW Your quote "I superficially /theoretically understood all of that." made me smile

I got a VW Passat Highline estate myself - 2012/13 thing - 130k on clock - with 6speed DSG box in it - I like it - it a good gearbox. Been a good car - had it a long while now - will have another Passat estate with 1.5TSi and DSG box next - this 2012 2.0 Tdi I got now - will be the last diesel I have for myself. I could not step into Euro 6 - NOX adblue stuff for myself - the bills I am writting out for customers - I just could not stomach the parts element of them for my own personal car - I would rather buy a bit more petrol at the pump at 5p a litre cheaper than DERV.

I had not trouble with my DSG at all - but I have changed the fluid and gearbox filter every 30k - plus I done the electronic calibrations every oil change to adjust the clutches up.

I have seen Taxis with 400.000miles on the clock with DSG boxes and if they been serviced - the worst they have had is a DMF in them.

The benefits of knowing what you are doing with the things, & possessing the details & equipment to stay on top of it .
Definitely with you on the Euro 6 uber-complicated diesel thing btw.
When we replaced the OH's Ford C-Max diesel (had to, she parked it on top of a hedge) I steered her to a 2011 1.4 petrol Kia Rio. Cheaper to buy, and in the last 5-years it's had no major faults, more than off-setting the higher fuel usage.

In looking for a van to convert to camper - I spent ages looking for a pre-2010 LWB Hi-top with decent condition & mileage - specifically to avoid Euro 5 & Euro 6 nonsense (my 08 Master has no DPF, & no DMF even though its still got overcomplicated coded systems etc... Best I could do!).

I do have my 06 diesel Fiesta Van (cos it was cheap enough not to matter) but unless I can do similar again when the time comes - it'll be petrol going forward.

 

[premmington]

The benefits of knowing what you are doing with the things, & possessing the details & equipment to stay on top of it .
Definitely with you on the Euro 6 uber-complicated diesel thing btw.
When we replaced the OH's Ford C-Max diesel (had to, she parked it on top of a hedge) I steered her to a 2011 1.4 petrol Kia Rio. Cheaper to buy, and in the last 5-years it's had no major faults, more than off-setting the higher fuel usage.

In looking for a van to convert to camper - I spent ages looking for a pre-2010 LWB Hi-top with decent condition & mileage - specifically to avoid Euro 5 & Euro 6 nonsense (my 08 Master has no DPF, & no DMF even though its still got overcomplicated coded systems etc... Best I could do!).

I do have my 06 diesel Fiesta Van (cos it was cheap enough not to matter) but unless I can do similar again when the time comes - it'll be petrol going forward.

Don't dismiss a small petrol car mate - wifey had my estate car all last week - as grandchildren on holiday - and she took them and dogs out for days out.

I used one of little loaner 1.0 Skoda Citigo's all week - just for running about in - nothing wrong with it all...

 

[JOEPRO]

Having experience on MBs ar least, NEVER fit any aftermarket ABS sensors its a waste of time and money. Genuine parts only.

I also prefer to properly diagnose a vehicle too VS firing the parts cannon at it so it's either going to be the bearing or the ABS sensor but not both at fault surely. If compatible for example I may suggest swap around both front ABS sensors and see does the problem move with the sensor, if so good data. If not then the hub is suspect and continue.

I also watch and log the live sensor data not just go by fault codes.

 

[Brad93]

Having experience on MBs ar least, NEVER fit any aftermarket ABS sensors its a waste of time and money. Genuine parts only.

I also prefer to properly diagnose a vehicle too VS firing the parts cannon at it so it's either going to be the bearing or the ABS sensor but not both at fault surely. If compatible for example I may suggest swap around both front ABS sensors and see does the problem move with the sensor, if so good data. If not then the hub is suspect and continue.

I also watch and log the live sensor data not just go by fault codes.

No can do. Left and right different, front and rears different as well

 

[KimB]

I don’t have a dsg gearbox but when my ABS ring was bad it was causing my xenon headlights to go up and down rapidly and looked like I was flashing everyone constantly. It was awful, I’m sure it caused a steering angle sensor issue as well.

Basically what happened was the abs ring rust jacked very slightly on the hub, that the. Was rubbing on the sensor and every time it hit the sensor it would double the speed on one side. It caused all sorts of issues.

I used my Vagcom computer to diagnose it. The way I did so was by going into the ABS screen then there’s a section for monitoring and you can then select what you want to monitor so I did left and right rear sensors. With the wheels off the floor I span them and saw the issue right away with the speed jumping, whilst the wheels were off the floor I checked the bearings as well, I actually did this first. Then the abs ring.
I put two new hubs on. They weren’t that rusty at all really but just a enough on the abs ring to cause an issue.

What were the codes?

 

[Brad93]

I don’t have a dsg gearbox but when my ABS ring was bad it was causing my xenon headlights to go up and down rapidly and looked like I was flashing everyone constantly. It was awful, I’m sure it caused a steering angle sensor issue as well.

Basically what happened was the abs ring rust jacked very slightly on the hub, that the. Was rubbing on the sensor and every time it hit the sensor it would double the speed on one side. It caused all sorts of issues.

I used my Vagcom computer to diagnose it. The way I did so was by going into the ABS screen then there’s a section for monitoring and you can then select what you want to monitor so I did left and right rear sensors. With the wheels off the floor I span them and saw the issue right away with the speed jumping, whilst the wheels were off the floor I checked the bearings as well, I actually did this first. Then the abs ring.
I put two new hubs on. They weren’t that rusty at all really but just a enough on the abs ring to cause an issue.

What were the codes?

Thanks kim.

Mrs has codes on her phone, i'll get her to send them over.

Gonna buy a sensor today then take a look at the hub. The sensor is only £45 for a pattern part which should tell me straight away whether it's the sensor or the ring.

 

[KimB]

Thanks kim.

Mrs has codes on her phone, i'll get her to send them over.

Gonna buy a sensor today then take a look at the hub. The sensor is only £45 for a pattern part which should tell me straight away whether it's the sensor or the ring.

Have you got vagcom? If so you’re wasting your time just putting a sensor straight on it. Mine wasn’t the sensor and if it’s doing similar you’re going to need to take the wheel back off to change the hub.