VW Golf DSG Sensor Failure Causes Rough Shifting

Had similar transmission issues on a 2013 VW Passat TDI. The gearbox sensor and transmission issues you describe match exactly what happened, emergency mode, warning lights, rough shifting. Initial diagnosis pointed to the transmission oil temperature sensor, but after inspection it turned out the gearbox oil level was critically low. This caused overheating problems and triggered the emergency mode. The low oil level was making the transmission grind and shift erratically. The fix required: Complete transmission oil flush, New oil filter, Oil level sensor replacement, Gearbox sensor calibration, Full diagnostic scan to clear error codes This was quite serious as continued driving could have caused permanent transmission damage. The grinding noise typically indicates internal wear has already started. Would suggest getting it checked soon, as waiting usually leads to more extensive transmission repair needs. The symptoms are textbook for low transmission fluid combined with a faulty sensor. These issues commonly appear together on VAG transmissions from that era once they pass 40000km.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Had nearly identical transmission issues with my Golf last winter. Got it fixed at an independent shop since the dealer quotes were crazy high. The automatic transmission started acting up exactly as you described. The transmission oil temperature sensor ended up being the main culprit, but they also found a worn seal causing slow fluid leaks. Getting both fixed solved the emergency mode and rough shifting problems completely. Just curious, do you remember roughly what the total repair cost was? And has everything been running smoothly since the fix? My gearbox repair was pretty expensive but it has been performing perfectly for the past 6 months now.

Thanks for asking about the costs. After seeing my mechanic, they confirmed and fixed both the faulty transmission oil temperature sensor and the low gearbox oil level. The total repair came to 365€, which included parts and labor. The automatic transmission has been working flawlessly since the fix, no more emergency mode activations or gear shifting problems. Getting both issues sorted at once was definitely worth it, as partial fixes often lead to recurring problems. The transmission sensor repair made the biggest difference in smooth operation. The gearbox now shifts perfectly and all warning lights have stayed off. Regular maintenance since then has kept everything running great for the past year. Worth noting that catching these transmission issues early helped avoid more serious damage. The combined sensor and oil level problems are common in these gearboxes, but relatively straightforward to fix when addressed promptly.

The repair job went really well at my new mechanic. They were upfront about everything and fixed both the transmission sensor and leaking seal for 410€ total. Pretty reasonable compared to what the dealer wanted. They found low transmission fluid from the leaky seal was causing most of the problems. The bad sensor readings were making the gearbox computer go crazy with false temperature warnings. Since fixing both issues, the automatic transmission runs perfectly, no more emergency modes or rough gear shifting. Had it back for a checkup last week and everything looks great. Really glad I got a second opinion and found a shop that actually diagnosed the real problems. The grinding noises and erratic shifting are completely gone now. Definitely learned my lesson about getting transmission issues checked out quickly before they get worse.