Gearbox in emergency mode Tiguan 2017

[Delewin]

My 2017 162 TSI Highline (70Km travelled) has just started to show this error message, and I was stuck in 1,3,5,7 with no reverse. We travelled from Sydney to Cataract Dam. It was a hot day. After sitting at the side of the road for about 10 minutes we were "back to normal" and able to gently drive back home. I ran a scan when we got back from the first trip and cleared ALL fault codes to try to eliminate erroneous error codes. That was on 9/2/25. Everything seemed fine until 1/3/25 when we travelled to Campsie from Chatswood. It happened again. The same error with no reverse and only 1,3,5,7 manually selectable gears.

Also just had it serviced where I replaced the battery with a new AGM battery. 24/2/2025. Is this a factor?


After the Campsie trip, I carried out a scan (VCDS) and it showed

1 fault found.
10668 - Position Sensor for Clutch 2
P1736 00 (00101000) - Electrical Malfunction
Intermittent - Confirmed - Tested since Memory Clear
Freeze frame data
Fault priority: 0
Fault Frequency: 1
Mileage: 70205 Km
Date: 2025.03.01
Time: 13:26:47

Engine speed; 0.00 /min
Vehicle speed: 0 km/h
Coolant temperature: 104 oC
Clutch: Primary Stat : Neutral
selected gear: GANG_1
Driving position: d
Engine Torque: -12 Nm
Control module temperature: 109 oC
Accelerator pedal position: 14.8%
DTC Memory status: 38

I live in Artarmon. This car is well out of its warrantee period. I did the first 6 services at Alto VW Northshore in Artarmon and the last 2 services at Tyre Power in Artarmon.

What are my chances of receiving a good will Mechatronic replacement from VW?

It is bog standard in every respect.

Which VW Service franchise to i use, as I have read very negative feedback regarding virtually every VW outlet?

The problem seems to be temperature "sensitive". That is on a hot day going for a reasonable run, it will trigger the problem. Has anyone "received" the Software Update and was it successful?

Every assistance gratefully accepted.

Thank you,
David

[h100vw]

All you can do is ask, if there wasnt a dsg service at tyre power. I think you'd have a reasonable chance of good will. No harm in asking. I have sent a few Tiguan owners direct to VW in the past year or 2, all got sorted out. They were 2018 upwards cars though

[Delewin]

Thank you, h100vw for your reply.

Tyre Power did an oil change on the Gearbox on 9/4/2024. They used the genuine VW oil which cost a bomb.

I am happy to ask (nothing ventured, nothing gained), but based on what I have read, I am very wary to go back to Alto Northshore. I could claim some validity from Alto, as they did my first 6 regular services.

Is it a case of if rejected by Alto, go to the next closest VW Service and try my luck?

OR go direct to VW Australia in the first place?

Thank you,
David

[Delewin]

Hi h100vw,

My Tiguan runs fine for short trips. It appears it only goes into "limp mode" (No reverse, and 1,3,5,7 manually selectable) if the oil temperature goes over a certain value.

Is it reasonable to keep using it while a replacement part is ordered? That way I am not "off the road" for longer than absolutely necessary.

Thank you,
David

[Delewin]

Today I sent off an email to VW Australia requesting their generosity to provide me with a replacement Mechatronic Unit (Free of charge).

I provided details of all regular services (6 from Alto VW Northshore and 2 from Tyre Power Artarmon). I also included 2 full diagnostic log files. One pre last occurrence where All faults were cleared and one after the latest "limp mode" episode.

I await their reply. I will endeavor to keep everyone updated.

Best wishes,
David

[lloydus67]

Don’t hold your breath. It’s a common fault across the Vw fleet that use dsg gearboxes.
I paid Vw in Brisbane to do a service on the gearbox, they told me that I was wasting my money as they are sealed for life, but did the job anyway. 10,000klms later mechatronic died.
Vw wanted $3800 (I think) plus labour.
10 years old and 120,000 klms so no chance of warranty.
Consumer rights say that you should expect more klms before a critical gearbox failure, but Vw Australia wouldn’t even entertain the idea.
If you google search dsg failure kilometres it’s 80-120,000 is pretty common.
I ended up getting a Volkswagon specialist mechanical workshop to fix it for $3600 fitted and programmed.
This was a Jetta, not a Tiguan.


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[Delewin]

Hi lloyddus67, I agree, I am not holding my breath, but it is the first step in a journey. I am fortunate that this problem is still "intermittent" and not terminal. I can use the car freely for short trips. As the old saying goes. "Time will tell".

[lloydus67]

I think I got 4 trips of intermittent before full failure.


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[Delewin]

Oh dear. Gently, Gently I must go.

[Delewin]

Hi All, Just a bit of an update.

I received a reply from VW Australia requesting me to take my Tiguan to a VW Dealer for a Dealer Diagnosis. I took it to Mccarroll's in Waitara today and they performed the diagnosis confirming the need to replace the Mechatronic unit. They also asked for the full-Service history (Not my Log book, but the actual Service receipts detailing exactly what was done and when it was done.)

Fortunately, I have kept these going back to the original service.

I am now "sitting" patiently waiting for VW Australia to examine my service history to hopefully agree to supply and install a replacement Mechatronic unit at no cost to me.

BTW, I have currently paid for the diagnostic. ($220 + $2.42 credit card surcharge) I have been told, this is nonrefundable.

Also, the Tiguan is still working fine.

I will keep everyone updated as more info becomes available.