VW Taigo Transmission Nightmare: TCU Failure Alert

Had a similar issue with my 2020 VW T-Cross (some experience with electronic transmission issues). The symptoms you describe match exactly what happened, rough shifting, unresponsive paddles, and transmission warning lights. After transmission diagnosis at the workshop, they found the automotive ECU and transmission control module were malfunctioning. The automatic gearbox would occasionally throw unusual error codes and go into limp mode, just like yours. The transmission repair involved replacing the defective control module. Total repair cost was 1000€, including programming and adaptation of the new unit. The whole process took about 3 days, mainly due to parts availability. The fix completely resolved all symptoms, smooth shifting returned and no more error codes since then. Modern automatic transmissions are heavily dependent on their control units, and when they start failing, these issues are pretty typical. To provide more specific advice about your case: What error codes is your car showing? Have you noticed any other electrical issues? Does the problem get worse when the engine is hot? Are you still within warranty period? These details would help determine if your issue is identical to what I experienced.

Last service was at 90000km. Thanks for sharing your experiences with similar transmission control issues. Since my post, the automatic gearbox problems have actually gotten worse. The transmission warning light now stays on permanently, and the car computer shows error code P0730 consistently. The grinding noise is most noticeable during cold starts, but improves slightly after warm-up. Interestingly, I have also noticed occasional flickering of the dashboard lights, which might point to a broader electrical issue affecting the transmission control system. This sounds very similar to your case with the faulty control module. Will definitely have the workshop check both the ECU and transmission control unit connections. Good to know the repair timeframe and costs to expect.

The flickering dashboard lights alongside the transmission issues definitely rings a bell, this mirrors exactly what happened with my T-Cross before the complete failure of the transmission control unit. The error code P0730 combined with electrical symptoms strongly suggests a transmission control issue rather than mechanical gearbox problems. The cold start behavior you mentioned is another typical sign of electronic transmission control malfunction. In my case, the workshop found corroded connections between the automotive ECU and the transmission control module, which caused intermittent electrical issues before the unit failed completely. The grinding noise during cold starts was apparently caused by incorrect gear engagement timing due to faulty electronic signals. My advice based on identical experience: Get the transmission diagnosis done soon before potential transmission damage occurs, Request checking all electrical connections to the gearbox control unit, Have them test the voltage output to the transmission solenoids, Consider a full system scan beyond just gearbox issues 90000km is typically when these electronic issues start showing up in these models. The repair cost estimate I gave earlier might vary depending on whether the wiring needs replacement too. The good news is that once fixed properly, these gearbox issues rarely return. Just make sure they perform a complete adaptation procedure after the repair.

Thanks for the detailed feedback and sharing your experience with similar transmission control issues. Since my post, the automatic gearbox problems have actually gotten worse. The transmission warning light now stays on permanently, and the car computer shows error code P0730 consistently. The grinding noise is most noticeable during cold starts, but improves slightly after warm-up. The transmission control problems seem identical to what you encountered with your T-Cross. Based on your repair experience, this gives me a solid direction for the workshop to investigate. The flickering dashboard I mentioned earlier has become more frequent, which aligns with your theory about corroded connections between components. Very helpful to know about checking both the automotive ECU and transmission control module connections. Will take the car in next week and ask them specifically about: Full electrical system diagnostics, Control module connections inspection, Transmission solenoid testing, Complete system adaptation after repairs The 1000€ repair cost and 3-day timeframe you mentioned helps set realistic expectations. Good to know the fix was permanent in your case. Will update once I have more information after the workshop visit.