Jerky gear changes and unusual noises in the 2012 VW Beetle: experience and suggestions for solutions wanted

Greetings, I drive a 2012 VW Beetle with a gasoline engine and already 186279 km on the clock. Recently, my car has been really troubling: the gear changes are strangely jerky and the noise when changing gear sounds as if there is sand in the gearbox. I also hear a strange whining or grinding noise. I suspect this could be due to a faulty gear selection indicator. My last garage visit makes me hesitant to take the car straight there - that was not a good experience. Have any of you had this before? How did you deal with it and what was your experience with your garage? Thanks in advance for your help!

(Translated from German)

7 comment(s)

Hello, I had a similar problem with my 2015 VW Polo. I heard a scraping noise when shifting and the gear change was way too hard. My mechanic found that my gearbox was damaged. It was probably not a small problem because it had to be completely replaced. So I would advise you to get it checked by a professional, despite your recent garage experience. Hopefully it's different for you, but at least that was my experience. All the best!

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Hey, thanks for your reply. That sounds really bad, completely replaced... Can you remember what you had to pay for it? And have you had any problems since then or was everything okay?

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Hey, sure, no problem. I remember that I had to pay quite a bit to repair the gear selector. That cost me €465. But since the mechanic repaired the gear selector display, everything has been running smoothly again. So, apart from the cost, it really was a sensible investment. No further abnormalities or faults since then, fortunately! All the best for you and your Beetle!

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Thank you very much for the information. I'm a little reassured to know that there were no further problems afterwards. I think I'll take the risk and see a mechanic, despite my initial concerns. Your words have definitely helped me, thanks again! Hope it won't be too expensive. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

(Translated from German)

Starter release from the selector lever sensor system Shows the diagnosis and it is classified as non-critical

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Quotation:
@Erenay wrote on
Starter release from the selector lever sensor system Shows the diagnosis and it is classified as non-critical

Before heading to a mechanic, try checking the transmission fluid level and condition. Low or dirty fluid can cause jerky gear changes and unusual noises. If the fluid is low, top it up with the correct type for your vehicle. If it's dirty, consider a fluid change. Let me know how it goes or if you have any questions!

Quotation:
@Erenay wrote on
Starter release from the selector lever sensor system Shows the diagnosis and it is classified as non-critical

Hello Erenay, To solve issues with the starter release from the selector lever sensor system, first ensure the gear selector is correctly set to 'Park' or 'Neutral'. Check the neutral safety switch for faults or misalignment and inspect all electrical connections for issues. If problems persist after these steps, seek professional help from a mechanic for a detailed diagnosis. Let us know how it goes or if you have any questions!

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