
Automatic Transmission Control Unit DQ381 (0GC - 0DE) Overhaul
The new DSG7 mechatronics from Volkswagen, called DQ381, is known for its vulnerability despite the excellent performance it can provide. This unit can often cause issues. Common symptoms of failure include:
- Inability to select gears. The fault occurs during long journeys, mainly when the vehicle is hot.
- The gearbox goes into emergency mode until the engine is turned off and on again.
- The gearbox jolts during some gear changes and sometimes only engages even or odd gears.
The sentinel fault codes related to this issue are as follows, associated with a failure to read clutch pressure:
- P173500 – Clutch Position Sensor 1 Electrical Malfunction
- P173600 – Clutch Position Sensor 2 Electrical Malfunction
These fault codes can be cleared, but they usually reappear. I can fix the fault and ensure it does not reoccur, all at a very low cost. After the repair, it will not be necessary to reprogram the unit; just perform clutch learning by following the procedure on the hot engine diagnosis.
Customer reports:
- "The yellow gear indicator light appears on the side, and the message 'Gearbox in emergency function' appears on the display. You can continue driving, but after turning the ignition off and on again, the gearbox starts working again, and the issues disappear, only to reappear after a short drive."
Fault codes detected in some processes:
- DTC P173500 – Clutch Position Detection Sensor 1
- DTC P173600 – Clutch Position Sensor 2
- DTC P1735 – Clutch Position Sensor 1
- DTC P1736 – Clutch Position Sensor 2
- P173E – Valve 1 in Gearbox Part 1 - Electrical Fault
- P173F – Valve 2 in Gearbox Part 1 - Electrical Fault
Some revised product codes: