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emilmueller2

VW Eos Transmission Sensor Failure Symptoms and Fix

My 2009 VW Eos with automatic transmission is showing serious transmission issues. The car shifted into emergency mode, and both engine and transmission warning lights are on. The gearbox makes grinding noises during gear changes and shifts poorly overall. I suspect the transmission oil temperature sensor might be faulty since these symptoms match what I found in the manual. Has anyone here dealt with similar transmission issues on their Eos? I would like to know what repairs were needed and if replacing the temperature sensor fixed the problem. Would appreciate hearing about repair costs and workshop experiences, as I want to get this fixed properly without replacing parts unnecessarily.

4 comment(s)

patricialion4

I had very similar transmission issues with my 2011 VW Passat last year. Having some experience with VW transmissions, those symptoms immediately pointed to potential transmission oil problems. The gear shifting issues and grinding sounds match exactly what happened in my case. The transmission went into emergency mode and displayed warning lights. Initially I also thought it was just the oil sensor, but my mechanic found the transmission oil level was critically low, causing overheating problems. The fix included: Complete transmission oil change, New transmission oil filter, Replacement of worn transmission oil seals, Diagnostic system check Total cost was 365€ and solved all issues. The transmission has been shifting smoothly since then. To better assist with your specific case, could you share: Current mileage on your Eos, When was the last transmission oil service, Are there any visible oil leaks under the car, Does the problem occur more when the engine is cold or warm These transmission symptoms should not be ignored as low oil levels can cause severe damage. I would recommend having it checked by a qualified workshop soon to prevent more expensive transmission repair down the line.

emilmueller2 (Author)

I checked my service records, last transmission oil change was done at 41000km during the regular maintenance service. Currently at 43800km and no visible leaks under the car. The gear shifting problems mainly occur when the transmission is cold, especially during the first 10-15 minutes of driving. After warming up, the transmission behaves slightly better but the grinding noise is still present during gear changes. The transmission oil temperature sensor diagnosis does make sense given the symptoms start when cold. Hoping its just a faulty transmission sensor rather than internal damage.

patricialion4

Based on those symptoms during cold starts, your suspicion about the temperature sensor could be correct. In my Passat, I initially had similar cold-start transmission issues, but they were actually caused by a combination of a faulty gearbox sensor and transmission oil contamination. The grinding noise during gear changes, even after warm-up, suggests this might be more than just a sensor problem. When my transmission had these exact symptoms, the mechanic found metal particles in the transmission oil, indicating some internal wear. My mechanic took these diagnostic steps: Electrical testing of the temperature sensor, Transmission oil quality check, Computer diagnostic scan, Test drive to verify cold vs warm behavior The complete fix included: New temperature sensor, Transmission oil flush, Filter replacement, Software update Total repair cost was 520€, but prevented more serious transmission issues. The transmission has worked flawlessly for 25000km since the repair. Looking at your mileage, while relatively low, these transmission issues need attention soon. The grinding noises during shifting could indicate developing mechanical problems beyond just sensor issues. Getting it diagnosed properly now could prevent more extensive transmission repairs later.

emilmueller2 (Author)

Thanks for the detailed information about your Passat experience. Your case helps a lot since the symptoms match what I'm experiencing. The relatively low mileage on my Eos and the fact that issues are worse when cold really points toward sensor problems. However, the persistent grinding noise concerns me, especially since you mentioned finding metal particles in your transmission oil. I have scheduled an appointment at my regular workshop for next week. Will request they perform the same diagnostic steps you outlined, particularly checking the transmission oil quality and running electronic tests on the temperature sensor. The complete diagnosis and repair cost of 520€ seems reasonable if it prevents major transmission repair work. I appreciate the detailed breakdown of what was checked and fixed on your car. Will update once I get the results from my workshop visit. Hopefully its just the transmission sensor and some basic maintenance rather than internal transmission damage.

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