VW Amarok Transmission Warning: Sensor Issues Explained

I had a very similar issue with my 2013 VW Touareg last summer. With some experience working on cars, I noticed comparable symptoms, transmission warning light, rough shifting, and limp mode activation. The transmission oil level was indeed too low, which triggered the transmission oil temperature sensor to send faulty readings. A workshop inspection revealed that a small leak had gradually depleted the transmission oil. The transmission sensor was actually working correctly, just responding to the low oil condition. The repair involved: Complete transmission oil level check, Leak detection and seal replacement, Fresh transmission oil refill, Clearing error codes, Test drive to confirm proper operation Total cost came to 365€ and resolved all symptoms. The grinding noise disappeared completely after the repair. Before suggesting specific solutions, could you share: Current mileage, When was the last transmission oil change, Are there any visible oil spots where you park, Which error codes are stored These details would help determine if your situation matches what I experienced or if other issues might be involved. Word of caution: Continuing to drive with low transmission oil can cause serious transmission damage, so getting it checked soon is important.

Had my last service at 38945km and they found the transmission sensor was functioning normally. The gear shifting issues were actually caused by a damaged wiring harness connecting to the transmission control module. Moisture had corroded several connections. The repair included: New wiring harness installation, Transmission oil level verification, System diagnostic check, Control module reprogramming Total repair cost was 520€ and completely fixed the grinding noise and rough shifting. The transmission warning light has not returned since. Would highly recommend checking the wiring before replacing parts. Sometimes basic electrical issues can mimic transmission sensor failures.

Thanks for sharing your repair experience. The wiring harness issue actually matches what I discovered later with my Touareg, electrical problems can definitely create misleading transmission symptoms. After my initial repair with the oil leak, I had a similar wiring issue surface about 6 months later. The gear shifting started acting up again, but this time the transmission oil level was perfect. The workshop found corrosion in the wiring harness near the transmission sensor connection. The symptoms were nearly identical to the low oil condition: Rough gear shifting, Transmission warning alerts, Error codes related to sensor readings, Occasional grinding during shifts Got the wiring harness replaced for 485€, including labor. The transmission has worked flawlessly since then. Regular transmission oil changes and keeping an eye on electrical connections seem key to preventing these issues. Good call on emphasizing wiring inspection. When dealing with transmission sensor problems or erratic gear shifting behavior, checking the electrical connections should be step one before replacing more expensive components.

Thanks for everyone's input on this. Wanted to provide a final update on my 2011 Amarok situation. After getting it properly diagnosed, turns out there were two separate issues causing my transmission problems. The gearbox sensor was giving faulty readings due to the damaged wiring harness, and we also discovered a minor transmission oil leak that needed addressing. The complete repair included: Wiring harness replacement, Transmission oil leak fix, Fresh transmission oil change, Full system diagnostics, Control module reset Total repair came to 780€ but resolved all the gear shifting issues completely. No more grinding sounds or warning lights since the fix. For anyone facing similar overheating problems or transmission issues, definitely get both the electrical connections and fluid levels checked. Would have saved time if I had known a simple wiring problem could cause such serious transmission symptoms. Really appreciate the help from everyone who shared their experiences. The car is running like new again and hopefully this helps others troubleshoot similar problems.