The "Unofficial" DSG Issues Thread

[-AKA-]

Hey Guys,

Since there have been so many threads in here about DSG issues I thought it might be better to have them all orginized into 1 thread. Like we have seen in past threads to make it somewhat easy to read about one particular issue state:

1. Model - Year
2. Miles
3. Explanation of Issues

Hopefully this will help out people who are having issues with their DSG transmission and get the problem remedied. Discuss.


Modified by Akira at 2:58 PM 6-24-2009

[-AKA-]

1. 2008 Jetta Wolfsburg
2. 4000 miles
3. Mine has been doing this since new. I have 4000 miles on the clock currently and I am going to be bringing it in for its first oil change and have them diagnos the issue.
From a stop, giving just a bit of gas, it will surge over and over again until the speed comes up. Its like you are giving it gas then lifting off over and over. It is really annoying. Also too when coming to a stop it will shift super hard into 1st with a loud clunk like described in many threads. When at idle, foot on the brake and AC on, the engine/DSG will vibrate/shutter pretty loud and harder than normal. We'll see how the service call goes...

[mrbikle]

1. 2006 gti
2. 21000 miles
3. From a stop, giving just a bit of gas, it will surge over and over again until the speed comes up. Its like you are giving it gas then lifting off over and over. Also too when coming to a stop it will shift super hard into 1st with a loud clunk like described in many threads.

[nintendodude]

2008 Jetta Wolf
12K miles
various issues with harsh shifts up and down, especially in the lower gears. feels like clutch slips in D, I hit the gas to the floor, engine revs high, then it dumps the clutch and jerks forward. is this programmed to do it just so it can accelerat in the power band, or is my DSG acting up?

[-AKA-]

More than likely you have a problem. I would bring it into the dealer and have them take a look at it. There should be a bit of a delay when you mash the gas and it takes a second to take off. The DSG needs to select the secondary gear so it selects that in an instant; but if you think about it this trans should be lightening quick all the time, right...?

At this point hearing all of these similiar issues with the DSG something is definitely going on. It is not segregated to a certain model; it sounds like it is all of the related models with DSG. Keep us updated.

[-AKA-]

keep it going...

[bpatt22]

1. 2007 GLI
2. 9000 miles
3. Well lets see where do I start? Can't drive my car for more than 45min to an hour without the DSG completely failing. Wont shift past 3000rpm, won't accelerate with anything more than 20% throttle application or at all for that matter. Engine cuts out for two to three seconds. Seems like once the transmission gets hot it won't shift properly. If I turn the car off and let it sit for 20 minutes or so it will start to run better again, let it sit longer and it goes back to normal. I love it when it works properly and hate it because it doesnt work all the time. Oh yeah and this happens even driving the car easy no high rpm's.

[eggsovereasy]

1. 2008 Jetta Wolfsburg Edition
2. 3000
3. Replaced mechatronics unit. Car was surging at start (and reverse) and a very hard 2-1 shift. Took two trips to solve then a third trip after they finally got the part.

[saaber2]

Quote, originally posted by bpatt22 »

1. 2007 GLI 2. 9000 miles 3. Well lets see where do I start? Can't drive my car for more than 45min to an hour without the DSG completely failing. Wont shift past 3000rpm, won't accelerate with anything more than 20% throttle application or at all for that matter. Engine cuts out for two to three seconds. Seems like once the transmission gets hot it won't shift properly. If I turn the car off and let it sit for 20 minutes or so it will start to run better again, let it sit longer and it goes back to normal. I love it when it works properly and hate it because it doesnt work all the time. Oh yeah and this happens even driving the car easy no high rpm's.

check the two dsg tsbs. One says replace the temp sensor as I remember.

[-AKA-]

Well guys, just got the call from my service advisor...They have a new Mechatronics unit on order for my car!!! After talking with the "tech" line that is the solution they gave. Lets hope this solves the problem, it will take at least a week for them to get the part in. Will keep ya posted!

[-AKA-]

Quote, originally posted by eggsovereasy »

1. 2008 Jetta Wolfsburg Edition 2. 3000 3. Replaced mechatronics unit. Car was surging at start (and reverse) and a very hard 2-1 shift. Took two trips to solve then a third trip after they finally got the part.

Sounds identical to my situation...the fix is on the way!

Only difference is it took only 1 trip, whew.

[enrique145]

I got a DSG GTI about a month ago. I used to have a stick GTI that I trade it for this one I am talking about. I love many things about the DSG, but I am starting to hate many others. For instance... whenever I need throttle to change of lanes or to pass a car, etc... in D is push the pedal to make the car downshift and the only thing I get is the car revs go up too much and then after one second too late it downshifts to a gear lower of what I wanted, so I end up with excessive pull at the wrong time, so I decided I would use the paddles whenever I need extra throttle (not the way it is suppossed to work, but well....). Another thing i hate is the fact that it does not let the engine rev up a bit when driving in "D". From dead stop it changes gears from 1 to 2,3 and so on almost without having into consideration the engine speed, so the car feels laxy since is being driven too slow at a very high gear, and driving in "S" to achieve change of gears at higher engine speeds is crazy for normal daily driving. Am i having issues with my tranmission? I am also starting to have the problem of downshifting from 2 to 1. Is becoming a bit hard.

Sorry for the long read.


Modified by enrique145 at 1:07 PM 9-5-2008

[-AKA-]

Sounds like your last issue, the 2 to 1 clunky downshift is exactly what I had. Bring it into your dealer and have them check it out. That is not "normal" if they tell you it is. Your Mechatronics unit is probably malfunctioning. Make sure they drive it around so the trans fluid is up to operating temp, it will not do it when cold. Good luck.

My new control unit is in and my appt is for Wednesday, woohoo!

[mrbikle]

i have surging as well 2nd to 1st....replaced a mechatronics already, solved it for a few thousand miles and then it strted again....i think there is somehting int he trans killing the units

[-AKA-]

Quote, originally posted by mrbikle »

i have surging as well 2nd to 1st....replaced a mechatronics already, solved it for a few thousand miles and then it strted again....i think there is somehting int he trans killing the units

Great...I guess I have something to look forward to now I wonder what else is going on in there then! Could it still be the trans fluid overheating? Hopefully my new unit will fix my problems...will keep everyone updated.

[06JettaGLI]

'06 Jetta GLI, 40K miles, no issues. GIAC X-chipped at 18K miles. Had it serviced at 35K miles so I wouldn't get hit with a big bill at the 40K service. Still shifts fine. I noticed that I did have to "drive around" some of the characteristics of the DSG. The DSG doesn't like starting out from rolling stops in 2nd gear. Lots of clutch slip. It also doesn't seem to like lots of throttle in "D" mode at low speeds. Very slow to respond, and clunky sometimes. I'm hearing a medium pitched speed-related whine from somewhere in the front driveline at highway speeds now, not sure if it's the DSG or a wheel bearing. I've already ruled out tire noise and alignment. Keeping an eye/ear on it....


Modified by 06JettaGLI at 2:02 PM 9-7-2008

[metcalfja]

1. 2005 Audi S4
2. 29,500
3. Test drove an S4 with DSG and the engine/transmission felt completly disconnected from each other. From a stop, with trans in 'D' mode, I would step on the gas and the RPMs jump to 2k then it felt like the trans would shift into gear. I was expecting something a bit more smooth. Any pressure on the gas pedal would make the RPMs jump before I would feel any forward motion...not a great feeling. I was all set to test drive/buy an 2008 R32, but if this is normal for DSG then count me out. After reading some of the posts here I guess this is normal operation for the DSG?

[ShadowGLI]

Quote, originally posted by metcalfja »

1. 2005 Audi S4 2. 29,500 3. Test drove an S4 with DSG and the engine/transmission felt completly disconnected from each other. From a stop, with trans in 'D' mode, I would step on the gas and the RPMs jump to 2k then it felt like the trans would shift into gear. I was expecting something a bit more smooth. Any pressure on the gas pedal would make the RPMs jump before I would feel any forward motion...not a great feeling. I was all set to test drive/buy an 2008 R32, but if this is normal for DSG then count me out. After reading some of the posts here I guess this is normal operation for the DSG?

Its a Tiptronic not DSG... Tiptronic is an automatic.. (a real one with a torque converter vs a dual plate clutch)

Audi A3 is the only Audi available with an S-Tronic or DSG transmission..

try the R32...


Modified by ShadowGLI at 11:05 AM 9-13-2008

[-AKA-]

Lets keep this going...

Alot of threads are popping up with "DSG Issues," hopefully we can try and keep them condensed to one thread to make it easier to sort through. If not, oh well I tried.

[T1noandaudi]

Quote, originally posted by ShadowGLI »

Its a Tiptronic not DSG... Tiptronic is an automatic.. (a real one with a torque converter vs a dual plate clutch) Audi A3 is the only Audi available with an S-Tronic or DSG transmission.. try the R32... Modified by ShadowGLI at 11:05 AM 9-13-2008

and audi TT

[-AKA-]

Well guys the new Mechatronics unit is installed and everything is running smooth as butta now! No more 2 to 1 clunky downshifts and no more surging from a stop. It shifts very smooth now!

Good luck to everyone who is having problems.

[a4-boosting]

2008 R32 10,000miles.. launch control will not enagage??

[danpayne]

Just got laughted at when I mentioned the Mechatronic unit in my DSG to my dealer mechanic. They told me the DSG doesnt have a mechatronics unit only the Auto transmissions do?

Is this the case?

[06JettaGLI]

You just got lied to. The DSG has a Mechatronic unit, and the conventional torque-converter equipped Tiptronic auto transmissions do not.

[Kid Hobo]

2008 GTI
17k miles
DSG mechatronic unit valve body replaced (?)

Jerking on starts and stops. Horrible shifting, reverse was bucking. Replaced valve body assembly... still jerking when coming to a stop. Not happy with my DSG since my 2nd month with it.

[Rockin3.2]

2008 r32
15,000mi
interesting to see people having the same issues as me and having them actually fixed by replacing the mechatronics unit. I went to my dealer twice and they were like "its just a dsg characteristic." it pisses me off and makes me regret buying the car. I'm gonna go to another dealer and mention this to them and see if I can get mine fixed too. thanks a lot guys(and gals).

[project_A3_DTM]

Just went to the dealership today. got my mechatronic ordered!! hopefully no more jerky shifts. I wonder if this problem continue, will it eventually kill the DSG or permanent damage to trans?

[Ghost GTI]

2006 GTI
32,000 miles
Absolutely NO DSG problems to date. I love this transmission every time I drive the car. I am, however, not looking forward to the 40,000 mile service. I think the quote came to just shy of a Grand.

On a side note, I see lots of posts of 6 S Manuals losing the clutch at less than 30,000, as well as a few busted slave cylinders. No transmission is totally problem free.

[06JettaGLI]

Yeah, we're paying Mercedes service prices for our VW's service. Had I not chosen to have the DSG service done early at 35K miles (price: $380.00), my 40K service would have cost over $1500 since I needed new rear brakes at the same time. I've spent over $2000 for routine maintenance on my GLI in 2008 alone. Kinda detracts from the good gas mileage I get.

[project_A3_DTM]

Dropped my car off at the dealership to get the so called mechatronic change.. few hours later got a call saying that "the mechatronic they ordered for is somewat a faulty one and its the only one in the country right now." now i have to wait at least a week for the new one. any1 experience this kind of issue?

[MrA1Sauce]

08GTI
14,000mi
Mechatronics unit #2 (Had first one swapped out at 5000mi)

[observer]

2008 Gti DSG

Cannot accelerate smoothly in reverse gear....almost like the cluth engages and disengages the whole time (looks like a new driver trying to drive a manual car )

Forward gear are OK but I do have the odd hard shift...luckliy not often at all and only under very specific circumstances.

[RPIJG]

2006 GTI DSG 35K
Reverse feels like a monkey humping a football.
PRNDS lights blink when a gear is selected (some times, not all the time).
Hesitation to downshift when gratuitous throttle is applied in D mode. In fact, when you do this, it has the tendency to chose a gear so low, that I can cut the traction loose.
In S mode the car will surge coming to a stop sign (my guess is that it's when the clutch disengages and the engine braking releases, not so much a power thing, but still a bit bizarre).

[V.R.Lvr]

Heres some pics from a customer car of the "DMF". Has about 1 1/8 inch play in it, he had the same issue stated above: noise emitting from DP area on the DSG at an idle, shuttering from a start, whinning noise in first. I had contacted techline (as is the protacall for trans issues w/ DSG) and they want me to chase fueling issue's with his TDI. Well the second time in i got my Service Manager to sign off on just pulling the trans, heres what i found.


Putting in a new DMF today...

[observer]

My reverse is also particularly bad Other gears some fine with the odd rough shift. Will have it checked out at the next service as the car is still new.