nogassershere
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2008
- Location
- Alabama
- TDI
- '05 Golf TDI, '00 Jetta TDI(SOLD), '84 Rabbit 5sp NA(SOLD), 06 Jetta TDI(SOLD)
Saving myself some typing, text from my NHTSA complaint;
Our Jetta experienced a "false neutral" problem back in December, 2013. (95,000 miles) I did some research and found that it could be due to a low voltage condition. I checked the electrical system and found the alternator to be faulty. I replaced it and kept driving the car. Everything seemed fine until mid January, 2014 when we experienced another FN event. We were able to switch the car off and then back on and the condition went away. I called our local VW dealer and scheduled an appointment for a diagnostic. The results of this test came back and they said we needed a new Mechatronics unit (this controls the transmission) at a cost of $2300.00 I am familiar with these cars and also familiar with the fact that VW has already investigated this issue in later year cars. This investigation (NHTSA Action# PE09035) resulted in a recall campaign (NHTSA# 09V333000) where VW replaced defective mechatronics units and extended the warranty on the affected units to 10yrs/100,000 miles. less than 24 hours after receiving this diagnosis, the transmission completely locked up while driving down the road, luckily it was at an intersection and the speed was less than 15mph. I had the car towed back to the VW dealer, the transmission must now be replaced ($6,000.00) I content that this is the same or nearly the same issue addressed in the previous campaign and that VW did not find the root cause of the mechatronics and subsequent transmission failure. A new investigation needs to be opened to address this problem, it is a safety issue which has already been addressed for some of their vehicles. VW needs to be made to address it for ALL DSG equipped vehicles, especially ones manufactured before the previously investigated lot. I contacted VWOA and even though my vehicle is still within the mileage range of the warranty extension they will not offer any assistance in the repairs.
This is a condensed version of the whole experience since they only allow so many characters in the complaint.
The long and short of it is, we need an accurate listing of Mechatronics/complete DSG failures with less than 100k miles. I know many have tried, but I intend to push this as far as I can with VW. This is an incredible safety issue, had the trans locked up 5 miles down the road my wife would have been on the interstate traveling at 70+mph. I encourage everyone who has experienced a Mechatronics failure at less than 100k also file a complaint and reference the same investigation/customer satisfaction campaign.
For the GURUs: I figure the Mech. told the trans to select two gears simultaneously, maybe via the multiplexing solenoid thus locking the trans. Is it possible that I could free the gearbox up by rocking the car or some other method? and if so, would it still be drivable with a new Mech. unit?
I am prepared to have it towed home and put a new trans in myself, found a vendor in Pennsylvania that seems to be reasonable on a rebuilt gearbox. Has anybody dealt with Autobahn Transmission Exchange, AKA Dubble's?
Info, advice, encouragement welcomed........
On a side note: posting MKIV 5 speed swap items soon to help pay for the repairs
