I've been experiencing this worrying (and initially frightening!) issue on-off for the past 6 months. I have a 1.8TSI DSG, normally driven in manual unless in heavy traffic. But I used to knock the selector back to N at lights - and obviously on planned parking. Now - every few days - if I knock the selector back to drive then the selector lights flash and I have no power. The EMG light appears, eventually disappearing after a couple of days. My OBD code reader shows the single code UO103 - which a look-up shows as "loss of communication with gear shift control module "A". (Makes sense - although what;s the "A"?)

 

If this happens then even switching from drive to reverse, etc, doesn't result in any power or change to the flashing. Fortunately pushing back to manual does fix the issue - but I'm worried that if this workaround disappears I'll be left with a brick in the middle of the street. I've only ever switched to auto at zero or very low speed - I dread to think of the impact of losing drive at speed. 

 

I mentioned this to my dealer at last MOT - but at that time this had only happened twice. They couldn't find anything wrong. I can't find mention of this code on these forums. Other more general searches result in alarming "flashing selector of death" reports and detail that the entire selector mechanics need replacing from the bottom of the car. Surely this is simply an electronics comms issue? Any hints?

 

Thanks in advance for any pointers to solving this.

 

Mike

 

 

Hmm, nobody?

 

My dealer has had the car in for the past two days now, but they say - although there are codes showing - they can't perform diagnostics without the issue occurring. And of course when it does occur - every two days now - I can't move the car until I find a workaround (normally placing it back into manual), so I can't get it to them!

 

They've checked wiring looms etc, but have said they can't do more until something fails. Essentially they can't diagnose whether this issue is wiring, sensors, or (my fear) mechatronic issues. Car is 6 years old, but has only 40K on the clock - I wasn't expecting expensive £2K+ gearbox issues at this mileage!

 

Assuming this hasn't miraculously disappeared following the wiring checks, what are my options? I know there are specialist mechatronic refurbishers (anyone know of one in the Oxordshire area?), do I bite the bullet and book that work? Do I try Skoda Customer Services to see if they would contribute to a replacement on a 40K mileage car (unlikely in the extreme given its a 2009 model), or what?

 

Car drives perfectly normal when it's going. All these issues appear at ~5 mph when I'm switching to D or engaging R.

Edited 11 September, 201510 yr by matkinson

Your chosen garage needs to be a little more pro-active!

 

These checks will take time but it can be examined now, without the fault occurring in front of them...

 

28775/U0103/049411 - No Communication with Gear Selector Module Possible Causes

• Communication Failure with Gear Selector Module (J587)
• Communication Failure between CAN-Gateway and Transmission Control Module
• Selector Lever (E313) faulty
• Tiptronic Buttons (F189) in Selector Lever (E313) faulty
• Shift Selector Locking Solenoid (N110) faulty

Possible Solutions

• Check Communication with Gear Selector Module (J587)
• Check CAN-Gateway Communication with Transmission Control Module
  • Check Measuring Value Block (MVB) in CAN-Gateway
• Check Selector Lever (E313)
  • Check Measuring Value Block (MVB) in Transmission Control Module
  • Perform Electrical Check per Wiring Diagram
• Check Tiptronic Buttons (F189) in Selector Lever (E313)
  • Check Measuring Value Block (MVB) in Transmission Control Module
• Check Shift Selector Locking Solenoid (N110)
  • Check Measuring Value Block (MVB) in Transmission Control Module

Special Notes

• May be stored in Combination with 00194.

Cheers silver1011, esp. for the v. quick response.

I'm hoping they *have* done those checks, as I gave them then code even before taking the car in. But good point, I've printed out the Ross-Tech page and will be enquiring when I pick the car up (10 mins) to ensure they've at least done that.

My current plan is to monitor the status for the next few weeks - when I can't do anything anyway - and then talk to Blue Engines (http://www.blueengines.co.uk/) who, albeit a long way away in Manchester, seem from their web presence to be switched on in this area. 

In the past I've been v happy with this dealer, a family run bushiness just outside Witney,.I do hope I don't have to reconsider my opinion!

It is an issue I've seen more and more recently.

 

The older but trusted garages, those with real mechanics that strip and clean brakes, weld exhausts and look for signs of mechanical wear or failure are finding it harder and harder to work on modern cars, especially when the fault is often buried inside a myriad of electrical sensors, modules, micro-switches and complex wiring looms.

 

If the DSG box was broken they would open it up and fix it. A Skoda franchised main dealer would prefer to simply replace it if possible.

 

In order to properly diagnose faults on modern cars you need the proper manufacturer supported diagnostics equipment. We can't expect Aardvark Auto's on an industrial estate somewhere to have them all.

 

If they have Ross-Tech you have a chance, if not then I'm worried that they may see the job as more hassle than it is worth?

 

Just my experience, but a worrying trend all the same.

 

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

Just back from the dealers (they are a Skoda franchise). I discussed the Ross-Tech possible solutions with both the service manager and - by luck - the mechanic who was working on the issue. It does seem to be that they only work to the "book" provided by Skoda. So the comms was tested, but it's obviously there and the values returned make sense for a working system. Again, unless the issue is "live" they say they can't progress through the investigation instructions. 

What's perhaps needed is an old school investigation. Dave (service manager) did make the comment that a specialist may be able to use experience of the (extensive!) description of the problem and therefore make a call as to whether this is a mechatronic replacement (I'd get it refurbished) or merely sensor/wiring issues.

Fingers crossed the wiring checks have fixed the problem. I didn't get the issue the three times I pushed the sleector back to D on the drive back. But I suspect this is a forlorn hope :-(

I'll update this post in a couple of weeks with a. it's all working or b. Damn it, need to see a specialist.

Edited 11 September, 201510 yr by matkinson

Well, I may be tempting fate, but since the investigation I've not seen the problem again. So there's hope that anyone else seeing this behaviour doesn't need a >£1K mechatronic replacement, but perhaps just a wiring/switch reset :clap:. 

 

Note in my research for this problem I swear I read someone state it was due to an unrelated faulty light. I dismissed this on reading it. BUT one of my rear number plate lights was playing up, fixed by cleaning the connections. Whilst I can't believe this is connected, I suppose weirder things are known.

Nearly a year on, and I'm seeing the same issue again  . A few days ago it took me a few attempts to get into reverse, and this morning I initially couldn't get the car to fire up, getting an EPC alert. Jiggling the selector and repeated attempts to start did result in the engine starting - only to be unable to get out of park. I eventually did manage to start up in neutral and drive off. The galling thing is that there's no problem driving, this is simply a selector problem.

Sigh, another trip to the garage is called for.

I know there have been horror stories regarding mechanoids, but given this has been fine for a year I'm convinced it's a selector switch or connector. Is this a known fault?

Hi all,

Had the same problem with wy wife’s Fabia. The PRNDS would blink and couldn’t get the selector out from P or start the car. Eventually, it died and wouldn’t light. Took it to the repair shop, and they found out that a spilled coffee, placed in the near by cup holder, made its way to selector connector, causing corrosion and short circuit in its pins. The selector needed to be replaced. 

I guess there are several signals going in and out from the selector, and in some other cases it could be a different cause with similar symptoms, but basically it seems to be related to an electrical short circuit related to the selector. 

Thanks for taking the time to respond. No coffee in mine though! But yes, I believe it was bad connections in the selector internals.

After unrelated problems - excessive oil consumption from my 1.8 TSi engine (threads exist on this) I shifted me Octavia. I'm now a proud owner of an Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce. Good luck to all Briskodians! (is that the correct collective noun?).