Touran Auto Trans: Grinding Shifts & Warning Lights

Had nearly identical symptoms on a 2014 VW Tiguan. Started with transmission jerking between gears and a grinding noise during acceleration. The torque converter lock-up clutch was failing, causing engine surge and erratic shifting patterns. The automatic gearbox needed significant work. The converter failure was confirmed through diagnostic testing showing internal wear in the torque converter assembly. The transmission fluid was contaminated with metal particles, indicating advanced wear. This required removing the transmission and replacing the entire torque converter unit. The job involved: Full transmission fluid flush, New torque converter installation, Replacement of several internal seals, ECU transmission software update The repair was quite serious as converter failure can lead to complete transmission breakdown if left unaddressed. The grinding sounds typically indicate internal damage is already occurring. Would strongly recommend having it checked at a certified transmission specialist. These symptoms match classic torque converter failure patterns, and waiting typically leads to more extensive damage to the automatic gearbox. Be sure to get a full diagnostic scan first, the error codes will help confirm if its truly a converter issue rather than just a sensor problem.

I experienced similar transmission problems with my 2011 Touran last year. The symptoms you and the previous poster described match exactly what I dealt with, rough shifting and that awful grinding noise from the auto transmission. The converter failure diagnosis was spot on. My transmission repair involved replacing the torque converter and doing a complete fluid change. The shop also found some worn clutch components they had to fix while they were in there. The car has been shifting perfectly since then with no warning lights. Just curious, what did the repair end up costing you? In my case the total came to around 2300€ for parts and labor. Have you had any other transmission issues pop up since getting it fixed? Would definitely back the advice about finding a good transmission specialist. These kinds of automatic transmission problems usually just get worse if you wait too long to address them.

The repair resolved the automatic transmission issues completely, no more grinding or rough shifting since fixing the torque converter failure. Total cost was 2120€, which covered the new torque converter, transmission fluid, seals, and labor. Slightly less than what you paid but in the same ballpark for this type of transmission repair. The automatic gearbox has performed flawlessly for the past year with no warning lights or problems. The transmission specialist did a thorough job addressing the converter failure and related wear. Getting it fixed early likely prevented more extensive transmission damage. Regular transmission fluid checks and maintenance should help prevent similar issues from developing again. The automatic transmission in these models is generally reliable when properly maintained, but the torque converter can be a weak point if problems start.

Thanks for the helpful insight, finally got my Touran back from the shop yesterday. Found a transmission specialist through recommendations and took it in last week. The diagnostic scan confirmed the converter fault you mentioned. The repair bill came to 2450€ total. They replaced the torque converter, did a complete transmission fluid flush, and fixed some worn clutch components they found during inspection. The grinding noise from the auto transmission is completely gone now and it shifts smoothly again. The mechanic showed me the old converter parts, pretty scary to see how worn they were. Said I was smart to bring it in when I did before the transmission damage got worse. He recommended getting the transmission fluid checked every 40000km to catch any future issues early. Really glad I found this forum and got advice about the converter problem. The car drives like new again with no warning lights. Will definitely stick with this transmission specialist for future maintenance since they did such a thorough job fixing everything.