False Neutral Issue?

[ASR36]

Firstly this is NOT a DSG Flaming thread. Please don't pass any comments or flames against VW or the DSG. This is an issue that I am having with my car and would like to get some further opinions as to what might be the cause.

I have been having intermittent issues with the R36 for the past few years. As the car was originally primarily driven by my partner, she had mentioned that the car on a couple of occasions would enter into neutral while she was driving at a low speed. The car would free rev and all of the gear indicators would flash "PRNDS" all at the same time. Moving the gear selector would not change the circumstance either and the only fix was to turn the car off, take out the key and start the car again.

Booked the car into a service through an independent specialist in March 2015 and my partner mentioned the issue to the guys doing the service. They could not replicate the fault and found no fault codes at the time. After the service it happened about 8 more times over a 12 month period through to our next service in March this year. When it happened while I was driving I found that it would only occur at a low speed and generally on an incline (either slightly up or down). Again it was mentioned at our service this year and again they could not replicate the issue. I was advised that they cleared all fault codes that had appeared from their scan.

The vehicle is a 2008 R36. It has had the mechatronic unit replaced in 2010 under warranty. Since the independent specialist could not find fault I decided to take it into a VW dealership to at least notify them of the issue that I have had and to make sure that it was on record with VW. I was advised that the vehicle was out of warranty (to which I explained that safety is actually what I was worried about and not the warranty). I booked the vehicle in to be checked and paid the diagnostic fee. They kept the vehicle for 2 days and the issue could not be replicated and there were no fault codes. I was told if the issue occurred again I need to take a recording on my phone and bring it back to them if it occurs again.

Well the issue repeated itself on Friday just passed and I took a video of the flashing gear indicators. I have been quite busy and only managed to take it into VW today. I was again told it is out of warranty (yes... I do understand it is an older vehicle) and I would have to book it in again.... oh, and pay a further diagnostic fee.

I have booked it in for Monday next week to be checked by VW. I ran a quick scan this afternoon and found the following error codes:

02 Transmission Control Module

System description: GSG DSG 082
Software version: 1404
Hardware number: 02E300011CS
Serial number: 00000909121022
Coding: 0000020

Trouble codes:
P1854 - Databus drivetrain Faulty
Intermittent
Measurements: 29.1 °v.OT
Date: 2016-08-04 14:25:35
Frequency counter: 255
Mileage: 104287 km
Driving cycle: 36
Priority: 0

17 Dash Board

System description: KOMBIINSTRUMENT VD1
Software version: 1216
Hardware number: 3C0920871H
Serial number: 00000000000000
Coding: 0007105

Trouble codes:
00438 - Fuel level sensor 2 mechanical malfunction
Intermittent
Measurements: -0.6 °v.OT
Date: 2016-08-02 10:04:34
Frequency counter: 2
Mileage: 104256 km
Driving cycle: 68
Priority: 2

16 Steering Column Electronics

System description: J0527
Software version: 0020
Hardware number: 3C0953549AC
Serial number: 3C9953507AR
Coding: 0001212

Subsystems:
System description: E0221 002
Software number: XXXXXXXXXXX
Software version: 0010

Trouble codes:
01748 - Tiptronic upshift button on steerg. wheel Implausible signal
Intermittent

The vehicle does not have any recalls associated with it. My concern is how dangerous the problem is as it does occur when the vehicle is in motion (and generally around schools which is mostly where a slow speed is required). I am disappointed to have to pay a further fee to VW however I would like to fix the problem before an accident occurs.

Does anyone have any other thoughts to what might be causing the issue?

[00100100]

Could be a canbus gateway issue or the gearbox controller is loosing communication. May be it defaults to neutral when it looses comms while moving because that would be the safest action it can do in that situation! .... just a random guess

[ASR36]

I decided to postpone the VW inspection as the battery has been running low and thought I might replace it first to see if it might be he cause of the issue. Will update as I progress and if the issue persists.

[snerlo]

Probably a good decision mate. You would be surprised what a low battery does to transmissions. My wife had one of those Honda HRV's about 9 years ago and was experiencing issues with the transmission in it. Took it to Honda and they couldn't see what the issue was. Well, to cut a long storey short, she had to replace the battery and the whole issue disappeared immediately. Probably some crappy cells in the battery or whatever. Good luck mate.