Most Common Reasons behind Volkswagen GTI Transmission Failure in Spring

The most panic situation while driving the Volkswagen GTI is when the transmission is shifting hard, unable to shift, or stuck into a particular gear. Several reasons are affecting the transmission of the Volkswagen that you need to troubleshoot as soon as possible. The transmission failure can indicate several symptoms in your Volkswagen such as broken solenoids, damaged transmission filter, failed solenoid, and damaged torque converter.

The transmission can be failed due to numerous reasons such as failed transmission range sensor, low level of transmission fluid, faulty transmission adaptive settings, transmission stuck in limp mode, park, and reverse mode, and transmission diagnostic trouble codes from the transmission control module. The below points define the common reason behind the transmission failure in your Volkswagen GTI.

Failed Vehicle Speed sensor

If the vehicle speed sensors of the Volkswagen GTI have any problem, then numerous issues developed in your cars such as harsh shifting between gears and car stuck in the limp mode. When the signal sent by the vehicle speed sensor to the power control module is lost, then it will cause problems in the transmission.

Damaged wire harness

The damaged wire harness from the ECU/PCM to the transmission housing of the Volkswagen can cause shifting problems in your long run. Due to these reasons, you may notice that the Volkswagen may not shift at all properly or go into its proper gear. In general, these problems are very costly to fix but found in the transmission rarely.

Failed transmission range sensor

The transmission range sensor of the Volkswagen is performing several functions for determining the gear which is selected by the driver. After the gear is determined, it can send the signal to the Powertrain control module for performing the necessary action. But when the sensor fails, then it will cause many problems such as transmission does not shift when you put the car in reverse, the car going in limp mode, and the engine doesn't start due to the lack of shift park detection by the PCM.

Damaged brake light switch

When the brake light switch of the Volkswagen is damaged, it will prevent the shifter from moving out or go back in the park. As a result, the shifter cannot move and doesn’t allow the transmission to go into its gear. So, you have to override the shifter manually and moving the gear selector to Drive. If the brake switch or the shifter module is damaged, then the transmission shifts properly when you release the shifter manually from the park.

Low level of transmission fluid

If the transmission fluid level in your Volkswagen GTI is lower down, then it would cause many problems in a long run. You have to determine the causes for preventing the transmission fail issues such as the gear are not shifting at all, strange noises produced from the car, cause erratic shifting, car reach to the limp mode, and in worse cases, the check engine light is illuminated on the dashboard.

Broken valve body

The valve body is the complex component of the car that can be failed in different ways, but the most common among them is the Volkswagen doesn't shift or go into its gear. Depending on the broken level of the valve body, it can cause issues like illuminated check engine light, cause limp mode, harsh shifting between the gears, and the transmission cannot shift to second or third gear.

Issues in software

When your Volkswagen has issues related to any of its software, then it will cause issues like erratic shifting or downshifting. Throughout the problems, you may experience that the transmission may shifts late or downshift unconditionally. In a few models of Volkswagen it is a common problem, but updating the PCM/ ECU/TCU software can fix the shifting problem.

Other related problems

Like other causes, the failed torque converter will cause several issues in your Volkswagen like gear slipping, overheating, and shuddering. On the other hand, the damaged shifter cable can also cause issues like stuck transmission or doesn’t reach the selected gear. In many cases, the low battery voltage can also stick the Volkswagen automatic transmission in limp mode.

Conclusion

To narrow down the transmission problem of the Volkswagen GTI, you have to perform many checks. If you are currently living nearer to Spring, then consult with a certified mechanic to determine the transmission failure issues of your Volkswagen GTI and fix it immediately.

Das European Autohaus is the Houston's leading European Auto Specialists. For years, it has been servicing vehicles from the Spring, Houston, Woodland, Cypress and Tomball, Texas areas. They always strive to provide their customer with quality repair