Q: DSG gearbox car dropping out of gear and engine warning light is on

asked by on January 11, 2018

The engine warning light is constantly on

When driving it seems to be dropping out of gear and the P R N D S just flashes and I cannot drive the car until I restart it.

It is a Golf td gt Sport 170

My car has 45000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Car is hard to shift Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hi Nathan. Thanks for contacting us today. The check engine light will illuminate any time the ECU detects a mechanical or electrical issue. This creates a OBD-II trouble code and stores it in the ECU. In most cases, the code will provide a professional mechanic with a starting point to determine a fault, like the one you’ve described. It is quite possible that the reason your Golf is having the shifting issues is due to a damaged shift solenoid or another transmission electrical connection, so having a professional mechanic come to your location to complete an inspection is the first step in diagnosing and repairing this issue.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Power window slow to go up
Hello, it sounds like you might have one of two possible causes for a window rising slowly. The electric motor could be getting weak, making it unable to lift the window. The other is that the window regulator is binding...
Drive belt keeps popping off
The first thing to check is whether all of the pulleys are in the same plane. Imagine a flat surface applied up against the pulley edges. Do all pulleys touch the flat surface? If a pulley, for instance, on the...
How would I know if it was my upper or lower oxygen sensor that has gone out?
Typically if an oxygen sensor is bad, the check engine light would come on and a fault code stored in the engine control unit. There are other ways a technician can verify if oxygen sensors (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/oxygen-sensor-replacement) are performing as they...
My car horn works when I lock the car but not when I push on the steering wheel
Hi there. When locking the vehicle, the antitheft computer beeps the horn to acknowledge the doors locking and the system arming. It sounds like your spiral cable, or clock spring cable, has broken. Are there any other steering wheel functions...
Engine vibration even in idle. Check Engine Light is not on.
You're correct, your engine uses a timing chain. It also has variable valve timing (VTT). This system allows the engine timing to change in relation to engine RPM. A VVT fault could cause driveabilty issues both at idle and at...
gas to diesel engine swap
Hi there. You will need to check with The State of Delaware's DMV to determine if this type of engine swap is legal. On the mechanical side, I wouldn't recommend this, unless you've got a pretty large budget for changing...
Clumping or bottoming out noise on hard bumps
Hi there. It definitely sounds like the bushings you mentioned could be the cause of the noise. However, worn shocks/struts can create a similar feeling or noise if they are worn out and not providing the dampening force necessary to...
Car stops when put in drive or reverse
This may be a sign of a faulty MAP sensor as the vehicle responds adversely to a load put on the motor (i.e. putting it in gear, making turns (which makes use of the power steering pressure switch) turning on...
Motor stalls or dies as soon as transmission put in D or R.
The problem is internal issue with the clutch bands or the valve body is leaking fluid to forward and reverse at the same time. You will need to have transmission overhauled.

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Volkswagen Routan
For For those who need a vehicle that focuses on people-moving and little else, the 2012 Volkswagen Routan just might hit the mark. With improved fuel economy and responsiveness compared to the Chrysler platform on which it is based, this...
A Buyer's Guide to the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle
Although Although it may be one of the most recognizable cars on the road, thanks to its unique design, perhaps you’ve never considered owning a Volkswagen Beetle before. There are a number of reasons the 2012 model should have you...
2012 Nissan Altima vs. 2012 Volkswagen Passat: Which One Should I Buy?
Sedans are a special class of vehicle: created to provide a comfortable and often luxurious ride to those who have passed beyond the need to stick to the compact class. These slightly larger vehicles offer options the compacts and subcompacts...