RS7 Transmission Failure: Display Dead & Grinding Gears

I had a very similar issue with my 2012 RS5, also with the automatic transmission. With some experience working on cars, I can tell you this ended up being more complex than expected. The gear shift indicator on my digital display also went completely blank, and the car dashboard started showing transmission error codes. The main symptoms matched yours, rough shifting and grinding. The electronic display issues were actually connected to a faulty control unit. The workshop diagnosed it as an affected control unit that was causing both the sensor problem and the mechanical symptoms. They had to replace the entire transmission control module to resolve both the display and shifting issues. The repair cost me 1000 Euro, including parts and labor. To help provide more specific advice for your case, could you share: Current mileage, When was the last transmission service, Any recent work done on the transmission, Are there specific error codes showing on your car dashboard This information would help determine if your issue is similar to what I experienced or if it might be something different. Generally, when the digital display fails along with mechanical symptoms, it often points to control unit issues rather than just mechanical problems.

Latest service was done at 132000 KM. The gear selector issue turned out to be related to both the sensor problem and control module. The transmission repair specialist replaced the gear shift sensor alongside the TCM unit. Total repair ended up costing 2300 Euro. For others experiencing similar symptoms: rough shifting combined with a blank gear indicator display often points to electrical issues rather than mechanical wear. The gear shift position sensor is typically the first component to check in these cases. Hope this helps others facing similar transmission control issues with high-mileage performance vehicles.

Thanks for sharing the outcome. Our situations were indeed very similar, and your repair confirms what I suspected about these transmissions. On my RS5, I initially thought the blank gear indicator display was a simple sensor issue, but like yours, it turned out to be more complex with the control module involvement. The fact that both the gear shift position sensor and TCM needed replacement makes sense. These components often fail together in this transmission design, as the automotive electronics are interconnected. When one part starts malfunctioning, it can overload the others. One thing to note about the instrument panel issues, they're usually the first warning sign before the transmission starts showing mechanical symptoms. The digital display problems in the car dashboard often precede the actual shifting problems by a few weeks. The 2300 Euro repair cost seems reasonable considering both parts needed replacement. My 1000 Euro repair was cheaper because I only needed the TCM, but I ended up having to replace the sensor 6 months later, which cost another 800 Euro. In hindsight, doing both at once like you did would have saved money. Have you noticed any improvements in shift quality since the repair? My transmission shifts much smoother now, and the gear selector displays perfectly clear on the instrument panel.

The repair definitely resolved all my original symptoms. The electronic display now shows the gear indicator clearly, and the transmission shifts smoothly without any grinding sounds. The shift quality is actually better than it was even before the problems started. After 3000km since the repair, I can confirm the transmission control and gear selector system is working perfectly. No error codes have returned, and the automotive electronics seem completely stable. For the price paid, the improvement in performance and reliability was worth it. Looking back, I should have addressed the blank gear indicator display issue sooner. The workshop explained that continuing to drive with a faulty transmission control module could have caused more extensive damage to other components. Sharing this experience should help others identify similar transmission electronic issues early on, potentially saving them from more costly repairs down the line.