Amarok's Faulty Transmission & Dead Gear Display Issue

As a 2010 VW Touareg TDI owner, I encountered nearly identical symptoms last year. The combination of grinding noises during shifts and a non-functioning digital display in the instrument panel pointed to a failed transmission control module. The main issue wasnt the mechanical transmission itself, but rather the electronic control unit that manages gear shifts and communicates with the gear indicator. The grinding noise occurred because the control unit wasnt properly synchronizing the gear changes. The fix required: Replacing the transmission control module, Reprogramming the new unit, Recalibrating the shift knob sensors, Resetting the electronic display system This was definitely a serious repair requiring specialized diagnostic equipment. The transmission control module failure can cause permanent damage to the gearbox if not addressed quickly. The electronic display issues are typically just a symptom of the larger control unit problem. My suggestion would be to visit a shop specifically experienced with VW automatic transmissions, as generic diagnostic tools may not properly identify the control module failure. The gear indicator display will likely start working again once the control unit is replaced and properly programmed.

Thanks for the detailed reply about the control module. That sounds exactly like my issue with the Amarok. The grinding during shifts and dead gear indicator display match what I experienced. I will look for a VW specialist as you suggested since this seems to require specific diagnostic equipment. Just wanted to check what the final repair cost was in your case? Also, has everything been working properly since the fix or have you noticed any other sensor problems with the automotive electronics?

Since my Touareg repair last year, everything has worked flawlessly. The gear selector and digital display are functioning perfectly, no more grinding noises or blank screens. The automatic transmission shifts smoothly now, and the gear indicator shows the correct position at all times. The total repair cost was 1000€ for the control unit replacement and programming. While it was expensive, fixing the affected control unit was crucial to prevent further transmission damage. The electronic display and gear shift indicator issues were completely resolved as part of the repair. The workshop got it right the first time, and I havent experienced any other sensor or electronics problems since. The gear indicator display lights up properly and the transmission behavior is back to normal. Going to a specialized shop definitely made the difference in getting an accurate diagnosis and proper fix.

I took your advice and visited a specialist VW shop last week. They diagnosed the exact same transmission control module issue you mentioned. The car dashboard was showing the same symptoms, no gear indicator on the electronic display and grinding during shifts. The repair cost came to 1150€ total, which included: New control module, Programming and calibration, Labor costs After the fix, the instrument panel is working perfectly again. The digital display shows the correct gear position and the transmission shifts smoothly without any grinding. It was definitely worth paying for the specialist diagnosis rather than risking further damage to the gearbox. Really glad I asked here first and followed your suggestion about finding a VW-specific shop. They knew exactly what to look for and fixed it right the first time. The automatic transmission is performing like new and all the electronic displays are functioning correctly. Thanks again for helping me avoid potentially expensive transmission damage by pointing me in the right direction.