VW Tiguan Trans Grinds: Torque Converter Alert

My 2019 VW Passat diesel had almost identical symptoms, rough shifting, grinding sounds, and warning lights indicating a torque converter fault. Having some experience with auto transmission issues, I recognized these as classic signs of converter problems. After the transmission warning light came on, I took it to a certified workshop specializing in automatic gearbox repairs. The diagnostic confirmed a defective torque converter, which was causing the clutch problem and rough shifting. The complete repair involved: Removing the transmission, Replacing the torque converter, New transmission fluid, Transmission control unit reset and adaptation Total cost was 2120€ including parts and labor. The repair took about 3 days but completely resolved the shifting issues and warning lights. Before suggesting specific solutions for your Tiguan, could you share: Current mileage, When the symptoms first appeared, Whether the transmission fluid has been changed recently, If the problem occurs more in cold or warm conditions, Exact error codes from the diagnostic This information would help determine if your issue matches the converter fault I experienced and whether similar repairs might be needed.

Thanks for your detailed reply. My Tiguan now has 49002km and just had its last service 3 months ago. The transmission fluid looks clean and was changed during that service. The symptoms started appearing gradually over the past 2 weeks, mainly when the transmission is cold. Once warmed up, the grinding noise reduces but the rough shifting continues. The torque converter lock-up clutch seems to be struggling most during initial acceleration. The error codes point to transmission solenoid circuit issues and torque converter clutch engagement problems. Your repair solution sounds similar to what my workshop suggested. Did you experience any recurring transmission issues after the repair?

Having gone through this exact repair on my Passat, I can confirm these symptoms match what I experienced before the torque converter replacement. The cold-start behavior and improvement after warm-up is particularly telling, this was identical to my situation and is a classic sign of torque converter lock-up clutch failure. My repair has held up perfectly for 30000km now with no recurring issues. The engine surge and rough shifting completely disappeared after the torque converter replacement. The transmission now engages smoothly, especially during that critical cold-start period you mentioned. The solenoid circuit codes you got are very similar to mine. Initially, I was hoping it might just be a solenoid issue, but the workshop confirmed the converter failure was causing these electrical symptoms. The complete torque converter replacement was necessary to prevent automatic gearbox damage. One tip from my experience: make sure they perform a complete transmission fluid flush when installing the new converter. Some workshops try to save costs by only doing a partial fluid change, but this can lead to recurring issues. The total repair may seem expensive at around 2000€, but its far cheaper than replacing the entire transmission later. Would recommend getting this fixed soon since continuing to drive with a failing torque converter can cause additional transmission damage.

Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences. After considering the responses and comparing symptoms, I've decided to proceed with the full torque converter replacement at my local transmission repair specialist next week. The matching symptoms, especially the cold start issues and solenoid error codes, along with the successful repair outcome shared here gives me confidence this is the right approach for my transmission problem. The converter fault and automatic gearbox symptoms are too similar to ignore. I made sure to discuss the complete transmission fluid change with the workshop as suggested. They quoted 2350€ for the full job including: New torque converter, Complete fluid flush and refill, All required seals and gaskets, Labor and programming Will update once the repair is completed. The clutch problem needs addressing before it causes more extensive transmission damage. Really appreciate the detailed feedback that helped confirm the diagnosis and repair approach.