Astra Automatic Gearbox Fault

My 2013 Vauxhall Astra diesel's automatic gearbox is playing up. The paddle shifters are unresponsive, and the shifts are sloppy, sometimes feeling like the gearbox is slipping. I'm also getting grinding noises occasionally when it shifts. Sometimes it takes ages for the paddles to do anything, and a couple of times it's gone into limp mode. My OBD reader shows an error code pointing to the transmission control unit. Is the 'control unit' basically the car computer for the gearbox?

4 comment(s)

I had similar symptoms on my BMW 3 Series. The affected control unit being defective is a plausible explanation, and that would explain the stored error as well. The transmission control unit (TCU) governs the function of your automatic gearbox.

Thanks for the quick reply! Was it definitely the TCU on your 3 Series then? Did you have any warning signs before it completely failed?

Yes, it was the TCU. Given the symptoms and error codes, it is very likely the same issue. I would advise having a qualified mechanic confirm the diagnosis. With error codes and the symptoms you have described, it is probably best to take it to a workshop.

Cheers. I appreciate the advice. Garage confirmed it was the TCU, and after they replaced it for 1000€, the Astra is shifting perfectly again. Thanks for confirming my suspicions!

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