VW Arteon Transmission Horror: Bad Sensor Alert

I had a similar issue with my 2020 VW Passat last year. Having worked on basic car maintenance, I would say I have some experience with transmission-related problems. The symptoms you describe match exactly what I encountered, transmission fault warnings, limp mode activation, and rough shifting. The pressure sensor was triggering errors, but when my workshop checked it, they found the root cause was actually low transmission oil level, which was causing the pressure switch to send incorrect readings. The repair involved: Complete transmission oil level check, Pressure sensor diagnostic testing, Topping up transmission fluid to correct level, Clearing fault codes, Test drive to confirm proper operation Total cost was 365€ and it completely resolved the issue. The transmission has been shifting smoothly since then with no warning lights. Before suggesting more specific solutions, could you share: Current mileage on your Arteon, When was the last transmission service done, Are there any fluid leaks visible under the car, Does the problem occur more when the transmission is cold or warm This information would help determine if your case is similar to what I experienced with my Passat.

Latest service was done at 115000km, currently at 119706km. The issue has actually gotten worse since my initial post. After checking underneath, I found small transmission fluid spots on my garage floor. The grinding noise is now more pronounced during cold starts. The warning light is consistently on now, not intermittent like before. From what you described about your case, it seems my symptoms align closely. The low transmission oil level causing sensor issues makes sense given the leak I discovered. Going to have it checked at a workshop this week. Thanks for sharing the repair process and costs, gives me a good baseline for what to expect.

Based on those new developments, especially the visible transmission fluid leak, your situation seems more serious than my initial Passat issue. The combination of low fluid and continued driving could be putting extra stress on the transmission components. The grinding noise during cold starts plus the constant warning light suggests the oil pressure sensor is likely reading critically low values. When transmission oil pressure drops below normal operating range, the pressure switch triggers the warning system and protective limp mode. My repair was straightforward because it only needed fluid top-up. In your case, youll need: Locate and repair the transmission fluid leak, Replace any damaged seals, Refill with fresh transmission fluid, Possibly replace the oil pressure sensor if damaged, Full transmission diagnostic scan Expect repair costs around 600-800€ depending on the leak source. The good news is catching this early before major transmission damage occurs. When I delayed addressing similar symptoms on a previous car, it led to much costlier repairs. Get it to the workshop as soon as possible. Continuing to drive with active leaks and grinding noises risks severe transmission damage beyond just sensor and pressure-related issues. Let us know what the workshop discovers. Transmission fault diagnosis can sometimes reveal surprises, but hopefully its just the leak causing the pressure-related problems.

Thanks for all the feedback. Just got back from the workshop and wanted to close the loop on this issue. The diagnosis confirmed exactly what was discussed, they found a faulty transmission pressure sensor combined with a leaking seal that caused the low fluid condition. Total repair bill came to 725€ which included: New transmission pressure switch, Replacement of main transmission seal, Fresh transmission fluid, Labor for testing and repairs The grinding noise and warning lights are now completely gone. The transmission shifts perfectly again, especially during cold starts when it was previously worst. They showed me the old sensor which had actually cracked, causing incorrect pressure readings. The workshop also did a full transmission diagnostic scan afterwards to ensure no other issues were present. Really glad I caught this before it led to major transmission damage. The car feels like new again and no more fluid spots on the garage floor. Based on this experience, anyone seeing similar transmission issues should definitely check their fluid levels and get the pressure sensor tested. Small issues can become expensive quickly if left unchecked.