VW Transporter Trans Sensor & Shifter Issues Guide

I experienced similar transmission sensor issues with my 2012 VW Caddy. As someone with moderate experience working on VWs, I initially thought it was just a gear shifter alignment problem. The symptoms matched yours exactly, rough shifting, transmission related warning lights, and notably that loose feeling in the park brake position. The gear linkage felt disconnected when trying to move the shifter into neutral position. After taking it to a specialized transmission workshop, they diagnosed a failed control unit that was causing the sensor malfunctions. The repair involved: Complete diagnostic scan, Replacement of the transmission control unit, Recalibration of all transmission sensors, Testing of the gear shifter mechanism Total repair cost was 1000€, including parts and labor. The workshop needed 2 days to complete everything. Before suggesting specific solutions for your case, could you provide: Transmission fluid service history, Recent warning messages on the dash, Whether the issues started gradually or suddenly, If there are any unusual sounds when shifting, Mileage on the current transmission This information would help determine if your Transporter has similar underlying issues or if something else might be causing the problems.

Thanks for the detailed insight. My VW Transporter has 115775km and last service was done 3 months ago. The transmission fluid was changed during that service. The shift lock failure happened quite suddenly last week. When shifting from Park to Drive, the automatic transmission makes a grinding noise and the gear shifter feels extremely loose. No previous warning signs before the complete transmission failure. The service technician also mentioned potential sensor problems, matching your experience with the control unit. Getting it looked at next week, but wanted to get a sense of repair costs and timeframes based on similar cases like yours. Good to know about the 2-day repair window. Will make transportation arrangements accordingly. The 1000€ cost reference helps set expectations for the upcoming workshop visit.

Thanks for providing those additional details. The symptoms you describe with the grinding noise and loose gear shifter actually sound worse than what I experienced with my Caddy. Since you mentioned the transmission fluid was changed recently, I would get the workshop to specifically check if the automatic transmission fluid level and type are correct. In my case, the transmission sensor problems emerged shortly after a fluid change too, but it turned out to be unrelated to the control unit failure. The grinding noise when shifting from Park could indicate mechanical wear in the gear linkage assembly rather than just sensor issues. With your Transporter at 115775km, this would not be unusual. When my transmission control unit was replaced, the mechanics also found worn bushings in the shifter mechanism that needed replacement. The repair ended up taking slightly longer than standard because they had to order additional parts, the gear shifter assembly showed more extensive wear than initially diagnosed. If your problems include mechanical wear, you might want to budget for closer to 1500€ and possibly 3-4 days repair time. Would be interested to hear what the workshop diagnoses in your case, particularly regarding the transmission sensor readings and gear linkage condition.

Thanks for the feedback. Just got back from the workshop and wanted to share the outcome for others who might face similar automatic transmission problems. The diagnosis confirmed both electronic and mechanical issues. The transmission failure stemmed from a faulty control unit and worn gear linkage components. Moving the shifter to neutral position was nearly impossible due to the damaged linkage assembly. Final repair list included: New transmission control unit, Complete gear linkage assembly replacement, Transmission sensor recalibration, Additional fluid change to ensure proper levels Total repair cost came to 1350€ and took 3 days to complete. While higher than initially expected, the transmission now shifts smoothly with no grinding noises. The gear shifter feels solid again when engaging park. Good call on checking the fluid type, turns out the recent service used slightly incorrect transmission fluid specs which contributed to the sensor errors. Worth double checking fluid specifications even when dealing with professional services.