VW Polo Auto Trans Fails: Gear Display Dead & Grinding

I had almost the exact same issue with my VW Golf 2018 diesel automatic. Based on my experience working on basic car maintenance, let me share what happened. The symptoms were identical, the gear selector position wasnt showing on the electronic display, and the transmission was acting erratically. The gear shift seemed disconnected from actual gear engagement, causing concerning grinding sounds. After diagnostic testing, the workshop found that the transmission control unit was defective, affecting both the car dashboard display and actual gear selection functionality. They had to replace the control unit and recalibrate the entire transmission system. The repair cost was 1000€ including parts and labor. Since then, the gear selector and transmission have worked flawlessly. The electronic display now correctly shows gear positions and the shifting is smooth again. To better assist with your situation, could you share: Current mileage on your Polo, When did these symptoms first appear, Any recent transmission maintenance history, Are there any other warning lights on the instrument panel, Does the problem occur more in specific driving conditions This information would help determine if your issue is similar to what I experienced.

Last service was at 95000km and this problem started shortly after. The initial grinding noise was subtle but got worse within 2 weeks. The gear indicator on the instrument panel stopped working suddenly during a cold morning start. The transmission control unit replacement makes sense, especially since both the electronic display and mechanical shifting are affected. The symptoms match exactly what I am experiencing. No other warning lights are visible on the car dashboard, just the gear selector display being completely dead. The issues occur mainly during cold starts and when shifting between reverse and drive. The gear selector feels loose and disconnected, just as you described. Did your mechanic mention if this is a common failure point for VW automatic transmissions? The 1000€ repair cost seems reasonable if it completely resolves both the mechanical and display issues.

Based on those additional details, I am now even more convinced your issue matches what I experienced with my Golf. The timing after the service and especially the cold start symptoms are remarkably similar. The transmission control unit failure is apparently a known issue in VW automatic transmissions from that period. My mechanic explained that the digital display failure often precedes the mechanical shifting problems, which is exactly what happened in your case. The 1000€ repair cost included: New transmission control unit, System programming and adaptation, Full transmission diagnostic check The total repair took about 6 hours in my case. Make sure they perform a complete gear indicator and transmission system test after the repair. When they fixed mine, they did several test drives at different temperatures to ensure the cold start issues were resolved. The gear shift problems completely disappeared after the control unit replacement. The electronic display on the car dashboard now shows correct gear positions in all conditions, and the transmission shifts smoothly without any grinding noises. I would recommend getting this fixed soon, as continuing to drive with these symptoms could potentially cause more extensive transmission damage.

Thank you for the detailed explanation about your Golf repair experience. Your feedback on the transmission control unit replacement is particularly helpful since my automotive electronics issues seem identical. I will schedule a workshop visit this week. From what you described, the sensor problem affecting both the gear indicator and actual transmission behavior matches my symptoms perfectly. The fact that cold starts make it worse also aligns with my experience. The car dashboard display being completely dead combined with the mechanical shifting issues definitely points to the control unit. The 1000€ repair cost is within my budget, especially considering it addresses both the electronic and mechanical components of the gear selector system. I appreciate you sharing the repair timeline and testing details. I will make sure they perform thorough testing at different temperatures after replacing the unit. Better to fix it now than risk further transmission damage. Will update once the repair is completed to confirm if the control unit replacement resolves both the display and shifting problems.