Hi

I can't see anything here on the forum similar to this and wonder if this is me being picky, but I feel my 1 year old 12 plate (bought new) Octavia Est 2.0 diesel L&K DSG is behaving a bit erratically.

I think there are 2 issues, but maybe they are one and the same:

1) my drive is on a slight incline, and in both fwd and rev - some mornings when I pull off the drive it feels like the clutch is slipping, I get lots of revs and no action. The car holds fine as I expect it to, but sometimes (I have a suspicion it's been worse the colder the weather) I seem to have to give undue power to get the car to move. I am convinced there is a problem as the behaviour isn't consistent.

2) During normal driving if I lift off the power, say approaching a medium corner (I believe in any gear), traverse the corner and apply the power again, gently to come back up to speed, the box will feel like it has gone into neutral, ie revs and no response, before taking perhaps a second or so to realise which gear it should have selected to get me to the speed I want. I'll emphasise that this isn't under hard driving, perhaps in a 30-50 mph speed limit conditions and the car should have dropped down just one or two gears due to the slowing down of the vehicle. This behaviour isn't consistently reproducible either but happens frequently enough that it concerns me.

Both the above have been observed by both myself and my wife driving and we have quite different driving styles. Dealer appears to be doing their best to assist but didn't find any faults after having the car for a day and car (of course) behaved when I went for a test drive with a technician. I also don't think the car behaved like this when we first had it. It's my first DSG so it took a bit of getting used to and certainly felt a bit sensitive pulling away as others have reported, but I'm used to that and have adapted to that. Other than the above the car feels quiet and smooth.

Any input appreciated, not quite sure where to go with this as I end up feeling stupid trying to describe an intermittent fault I can't reproduce with them or even describe accurately and knowledgeably to them. I love this car except for this thing that bugs me.

thanks

Both Issues you describe are distinctly not normal.

Sounds like an issue with the clutch not engaging..........assuming the oil level is ok, perhaps a faulty or out of spec clutch pack temperature sensor? If it is erroneously producing high readings the transmission will disengage the clutch to protect it from overheating. I believe there was a recall for this issue on DSGs in the U.S.

Failing that, a faulty machatronics unit could produce the above symptoms.

Issue 1

I have an issue when moving off on a slope (eg my drive - see avatar!) where if I don't apply quite enough throttle it "gives up" disengages the clutch and I start to roll down the hill. This has been reported as a "feature" by others but at no time does the engine rev.

Issue 2

Definitely not normal. The only time mine revs more than it should is briefly when moving in slow traffic. It moves off in 1st then withing a car length changes to 2nd. Trickling along in 2nd it behaves a little like an old auto box where the engine revs and the roadspeed catches up as the clutch is slipped. Can't understand why it doesn't just use 1st so I switch to manual mode!

Issue 1

I have an issue when moving off on a slope (eg my drive - see avatar!) where if I don't apply quite enough throttle it "gives up" disengages the clutch and I start to roll down the hill. This has been reported as a "feature" by others but at no time does the engine rev.

Curious. Perhaps a feature of the 7 speed dry clutch box?.......my 6 speed wet clutch doesn't do this.

Issue 2

Definitely not normal. The only time mine revs more than it should is briefly when moving in slow traffic. It moves off in 1st then withing a car length changes to 2nd. Trickling along in 2nd it behaves a little like an old auto box where the engine revs and the roadspeed catches up as the clutch is slipped. Can't understand why it doesn't just use 1st so I switch to manual mode!

I get this too......My theory is that the DSG is programmed to do this to even out wear on the 2 clutch packs.....otherwise the only clutch that would wear is the 1st/3rd/5th (and 7th in your case) gear clutch.

Sounds like an issue with the clutch not engaging.. <snip>

Failing that, a faulty machatronics unit could produce the above symptoms.

Right - if someone were driving a manual car like this with me in the car I would say they were 'riding the clutch' that's just how it sounds.

Trouble is, with it being intermittent and the system not logging any faults, I'm struggling to get the dealer to take any action, tbh I don't know what to ask them to do or where to look next, especially since I can't reproduce the issue on demand. All I can think to do is monitor it and take the car back in if I see it getting worse.

Should a 'faulty mechatronics unit' be logging faults in the system fault log?

thanks for comments.

Should a 'faulty mechatronics unit' be logging faults in the system fault log?

You would think so, but I'm sure I've read of cases where the Mechatronics unit was faulty and not producing any codes.

However an out of spec clutch pack temperature sensor will, in all likely hood not produce any codes

This page gives some information on DSG and may be useful to you:- http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q/DSG-faq-VW-Audi.htm.

Mines does that first thing from cold while reversing out my drive, also on a slight incline. It does feel like a slipping symptom but only lasts a few seconds. Didnt think it was a fault... Once back into D its business as usual.

I dont get any of your symptoms number 2.

s

Edited 26 March, 201313 yr by sly200sx

Manual FTW

Manual FTW

......until you roll up to a set of traffic lights and try to out drag a TFSI with DSG with your manual and get mugged!

You don't get 8 millisecond up-shifts on a manual.

I've recently swapped from a Fabia vRS petrol w/ 7 speed dry clutch to an Octavia vRS Blackline w/ 6 speed wet clutch and have to say they both drive very differently, particularly at lower speeds.

I found the 7 speed v on and off when manouvering and in stop start traffic and you kind of had to learn to drive around it (generally being very gentle on the throttle) but found it quite frustrating and wearing on a longer trip. Parking could also be a bit of a sod as one minute you'd be stationary the next moving too fast. Great when driving at 10 10ths but pretty bad under normal conditions.

The six speed definitely slips a bit at low speed and when changing gears on trailing throttle but only like you'd modulate power in a manual by using the clutch, i actually find it much better and find it smooths things out; wonder whether perhaps the gearbox has a different map in diesel form from preventing its higher low down torque output putting too much pressure on the box or to prevent overheating of the clutch packs; no idea if a TSi 6 speed is the same as havent driven one. It seems a bit strange at first particularly if youre used to a normal auto box but as its an automated manual it kind of makes sense that theres some controlled slip to get it as near to a torque converter smoothness experience as possible.

My car also does occasionally disengage the clutches but only on heavy slopes where its obviously loading the clutches alot. Hit the brakes then accelerate again and usually drive is restored.

Certainly if the car just sits there revving then decides to go that probably isnt quite right. Something i have noticed though is that DSG as good as it is isnt foolproof, a computer cant react like a good old clutch leg and ive noticed on mine that it does occasionally fluff changes, usually with a bit of a thump or jerk when coming back down the box but nothing like as bad as the 7 speed was.

I posted this back in Nov 2012 but didn't get any end result with the answers so here's hoping !!!

DSG - In Trouble Again

17 November 2012 - 15:14

I have read most carefully the discussions on this topic (Superb II forum - having the dsg gearbox sorted under warranty) and am now fairly sure that I have a similar problem with my 7 speed DSG, which is still under manufacturers warranty until July 2013 and covered only 12,000 miles. The car has a FSSH.

I have started to notice that as soon as the engine reached normal working temperature that low speed gear changes in traffic were becoming very jerky and on a number on occasions, when nearly stopping on entering a roundabout, the box will change down into D2 or D3. Not noticing this until I pull away I have revered the nuts off the engine. Changing up from this asap the box still stays in D and the changes are very uncomfortable for all passengers.

At first I thought I was causing the change down to D when I turned the wheel accidentally touching the paddles. After this had happened quite a few times and many B~###ling from SWMBO I am now convinced that the fault lies elsewhere.

So my proposed action is to copy all the relevant details from this post together and approach the local dealer. Having as much detail as possible will certainly help, as the usual action from the dealer will be to try and fob me off. I am beginning to think that DSG is a dirty word to many dealers as they do not have the necessary expertise to deal with the complex issues. Only wish I could take it to either Audi or VW for trouble shooting.

Quoting bmhill "i saw the Skoda bulletin and my issue was exactly as described on the bulletin and it said order said part from what i am led to believe the sensor i have does not measure enough parameters"

Does any one have any details on this bulletin as I would be in a much better position with the dealer if I was able to quote chapter and verse.

All advise and comments appreciated and welcomed. Thank you

...The six speed definitely slips a bit at low speed and when changing gears on trailing throttle but only like you'd modulate power in a manual by using the clutch,...

So that's a good one line summary of why I originally posted, though I think it is more than I would do modulating power using the clutch, once or twice I've gone around a corner and had neutral, it's like the computer couldn't make it's mind up whether to change down or up, so did neither.

[note I'm on the 6 speed wet box on my 2.0 TDi]

I might agree with that sentiment about slipping a bit reversing off my drive and it being acceptable, if it always behaved the same, but it doesn't, some days it's pleasantly positive pulling up the slope, other days I'm concerned it will let the clutch out quickly and I'll fly through the neighbour's hedge and into the side of their house.

All the comments here are much appreciated I may do like 'ramonford' is considering and collect all the comments together here and re-approach my very approachable local dealer. Even the sales guy recognised me when I was last there discussing this with the service manager and came and joined in with genuine concern for a satisfied customer.

I think its fair to say the 6 speed wet box is a little dim witted at times when in D, certainly is on my 2 month old vRS CR 170. I find it sometimes cant make up its mind what gear to be in and seems to upshift way too early when driving quickly, only doesnt if you use kickdown. Its much better in S mode which is actually somewhat the reverse to my old 7 speed vRS Fabia.

I think its fair to say the 6 speed wet box is a little dim witted at times when in D, certainly is on my 2 month old vRS CR 170. I find it sometimes cant make up its mind what gear to be in and seems to upshift way too early when driving quickly, only doesnt if you use kickdown. Its much better in S mode which is actually somewhat the reverse to my old 7 speed vRS Fabia.

I'd agree with you there. In S mode was identical to D on my Bocanegra.

The Vrs is much more enjoyable in S.