Gearbox error message

[iperry]

Got the dreaded message below today:

 

'Error: Workshop! Only leave vehicle in position P'

 

There are clearly two interpretations of this ,message:

 

1. The car must be left in P to the exclusion of all other possibilities (ie, don't drive)

2. When leaving the car, you must leave it in P (well, fine, I'll just take that is unnecessary advice)

 

I've done the usual internet trawl and it seems that this error generally does not indicate an actual  gearbox failure but instead a gearbox selector failure. Basically some switch in the actual selector (gearstick) stops working properly and the car is not 100% confident whether it is in P or not. So, it makes a point of reminding you to leave it in P when you leave the car.

 

If it is this selector issue I gather the expense is astronomical (obviously, cause it's related to the bl**dy DSG) but do I actually need it fixed? Or, at least do I need to fix it urgently? Sure it's annoying, but as lng as the actual cogs and bearing etc can keep turning without issue, the car is surely drivable.

 

Anyone been through this particular pantomime before?

 

Ta,

 

iep

 

  

 

 

[Ootohere]

Best since you do not know what it is that you go to a specialist that does know about DSG's.

So what engine have you and what DSG.  ie, age of car, miles of car, servicing the DSG (oil change) has had if any?

[iperry]

It's a 65 plate 2.0 TSI 280ps. 44k miles with gearbox serviced at 33k.

 

I guess the important thing is interpretation of the message:

 

1. Do not drive

or

2. Do not leave car in any gear other than P

 

Lot's a chat about this issue on the forum but mainly to do with how to get Skoda to pay for some of the repair. I guess I'm curious about how badly it actually needs to be repaired (at least in the short term).

 

Ta.

 

 

[OldBoyScout]

45 minutes ago, iperry said:

If it is this selector issue I gather the expense is astronomical (obviously, cause it's related to the bl**dy DSG) but do I actually need it fixed? Or, at least do I need to fix it urgently? Sure it's annoying, but as lng as the actual cogs and bearing etc can keep turning without issue, the car is surely drivable.

 

If you are seeing the message at random times for no good reason (you always leave the car in position P anyway), this suggests a faulty micro switch in the gear selector. Originally the only fix for this was to replace the whole gear selector at an astronomical cost of approx £3,000, but around early 2020 Skoda released a new fix which just requires a new micro switch costing around £50 and up to one hour of labour, according to other posts on here. There has also been a suggestion that moving the lever backwards and forwards between P and D a few times might help to clear the problem, but I can't say how effective this might be, as I haven't really been able to test this yet.

 

The effects can vary. Some people just have the annoying message flashing up every once in a while, others say they have had more serious problems such as issues with locking the doors. In my case I have had the error message flashing up very briefly and infrequently, and nothing else. This has been going on for two years or so and does not seem to be getting any worse. The car has gone through the MOT 3 times without this being an issue, and unless it gets any worse I will just be living with it.

 

 

[iperry]

In our case we've seen the message twice in the lats two days and nothing before that. It occurs randomly, generally within a couple of minutes of setting off. I actually took the car to the dealership this afternoon and saw no error message on route. Worth highlighting that the car is running fine.

 

We'll see what the dealer says but really interesting to hear that there may be a simple fix to the micro switch. Gut feel, based on the fact that everything is running fine, is that our issue is just this switch.

 

Cheers. 

[Nick_H]

9 hours ago, iperry said:

Got the dreaded message below today:

 

'Error: Workshop! Only leave vehicle in position P'

 

There are clearly two interpretations of this ,message:

 

1. The car must be left in P to the exclusion of all other possibilities (ie, don't drive)

2. When leaving the car, you must leave it in P (well, fine, I'll just take that is unnecessary advice)

 

I've done the usual internet trawl and it seems that this error generally does not indicate an actual  gearbox failure but instead a gearbox selector failure. Basically some switch in the actual selector (gearstick) stops working properly and the car is not 100% confident whether it is in P or not. So, it makes a point of reminding you to leave it in P when you leave the car.

 

If it is this selector issue I gather the expense is astronomical (obviously, cause it's related to the bl**dy DSG) but do I actually need it fixed? Or, at least do I need to fix it urgently? Sure it's annoying, but as lng as the actual cogs and bearing etc can keep turning without issue, the car is surely drivable.

 

Anyone been through this particular pantomime before?

 

Ta,

 

iep

 

  

 

 

 

Loads including me. Have a search on the forums .

[iperry]

Dealer reckons a full gear selector unit required £867 plus VAT. OldBoyScout,  can you provide any details on your comment copied below, even just point out the post (I can't find one):

 

'around early 2020 Skoda released a new fix which just requires a new micro switch costing around £50 and up to one hour of labour'

 

Thanks,

 

Ivan

 

 

[OldBoyScout]

https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/426096-error-service-leave-vehicle-only-when-selector-in-position-p/page/11/

 

See 31 January onwards

[iperry]

Thanks.

 

Mentioned this to the dealer but they say the TPI does not apply to the Superb and I need the full (£867) job done. Skoda have offered 20% goodwill because the car is over 5 years. However, the car is not actually over 5 years yet so I may argue that point with them and see if I can get a bit more.

 

All that said, the dealer (western edinburgh) were really good and fitted us in at short notice and provided a courtesy car. I paid £96 all in for the check which, while not ideal, has at least been able to tell me that the car is fine to drive.

 

Question is, if I can't get a bigger discount, whether I bother with the repair.  It's intermittent, does not affect safety, is not an MOT fail..... 

 

ta for peoples comments.

[Nick_H]

2 hours ago, iperry said:

Thanks.

 

Mentioned this to the dealer but they say the TPI does not apply to the Superb and I need the full (£867) job done. Skoda have offered 20% goodwill because the car is over 5 years. However, the car is not actually over 5 years yet so I may argue that point with them and see if I can get a bit more.

 

All that said, the dealer (western edinburgh) were really good and fitted us in at short notice and provided a courtesy car. I paid £96 all in for the check which, while not ideal, has at least been able to tell me that the car is fine to drive.

 

Question is, if I can't get a bigger discount, whether I bother with the repair.  It's intermittent, does not affect safety, is not an MOT fail..... 

 

ta for peoples comments.

 

Had mine done a few weeks ago as mentioned and the dealer did say they had replaced the whole unit.

[Steviedakota]

Fingers crossed that 'cheap' repair applies to the Superb.   We have this sporadic issue and are just ignoring it, so far it has not effected the car in any way negatively.

[facet edge]

My car was just out of warranty and they replaced it free of charge and I paid 50% of the labour.

This is a well known issue and they will contribute if they are pushed. Don't take no for an answer as they have a notification on file that it is a fault and they should repair it.

[tricky1138]

Just had this come up on my Superb. Bought from an independent so not under Skoda warranty. 

 

Does anyone know if the "switch fix" works on a Superb or is it a new gear lever selector? 

 

Just so I go armed to the garage with what needs done! 

[Bigeater]

An interesting read...…….

 

https://www.vwroc.com/forums/topic/34380-dreaded-“error-leave-vehicle-only-when-selector-lever-in-p’-car-out-of-warranty/

[iperry]

Hi,

      There is no switch fix for the superb unfortunately (at least according to my dealership and Skoda UK who acknowledged the fix exists for other models). The total bill for the gearlever replacement was to be an eye watering £900.

 

That said, two, possibly helpful, points:

 

1. Because our car is under 5 years old and has a full service history, Skoda UK offered to cover 40% of the bill.

2. Most importantly though, the repair is technically unnecessary. Provided you are seeing exactly the message I originally posted the total impact of the fault is that you will periodically see the warning message. It does not in any way affect the drivability, safety or MOT status of the vehicle.

 

Ultimately it is simply the car saying:

 

'I have two switches that detect when I'm in Park (one is in the gearbox itself and one in the lever). Occasionally, these switches momentarily disagree with each other (it's always the one in the lever at fault if you are seeing the message in question). As a result, please be totally sure you have left the car in Park when you exit the vehicle because I'm not going to be 100% sure and so might not warn you if you forget to put the lever into 'park' before leaving the vehicle.'

 

Because the switch in the gearbox is the one that actually determines the functionality of the gearbox when driving, the one in the gear lever does nothing. Only when the car is stationary and the engine switched off is the switch in the lever actually used and, even then, only to check that you've left the car in P before exiting the vehicle.

 

So, it's up to you, but the 'unofficial' advice to me from the dealership and Skoda UK representative was simply to ignore the warning and live with it. In most cases it only occurs infrequently and does not deteriorate over time.

 

Hopefully that is helpful.

 

 

[tricky1138]

18 hours ago, iperry said:

Hi,

      There is no switch fix for the superb unfortunately (at least according to my dealership and Skoda UK who acknowledged the fix exists for other models). The total bill for the gearlever replacement was to be an eye watering £900.

 

That said, two, possibly helpful, points:

 

1. Because our car is under 5 years old and has a full service history, Skoda UK offered to cover 40% of the bill.

2. Most importantly though, the repair is technically unnecessary. Provided you are seeing exactly the message I originally posted the total impact of the fault is that you will periodically see the warning message. It does not in any way affect the drivability, safety or MOT status of the vehicle.

 

Ultimately it is simply the car saying:

 

'I have two switches that detect when I'm in Park (one is in the gearbox itself and one in the lever). Occasionally, these switches momentarily disagree with each other (it's always the one in the lever at fault if you are seeing the message in question). As a result, please be totally sure you have left the car in Park when you exit the vehicle because I'm not going to be 100% sure and so might not warn you if you forget to put the lever into 'park' before leaving the vehicle.'

 

Because the switch in the gearbox is the one that actually determines the functionality of the gearbox when driving, the one in the gear lever does nothing. Only when the car is stationary and the engine switched off is the switch in the lever actually used and, even then, only to check that you've left the car in P before exiting the vehicle.

 

So, it's up to you, but the 'unofficial' advice to me from the dealership and Skoda UK representative was simply to ignore the warning and live with it. In most cases it only occurs infrequently and does not deteriorate over time.

 

Hopefully that is helpful.

 

 

Many thanks for that. It look like its a new gear lever for me! 

 

I agree I dont think its totally necessary, but as the car is under warranty from the garage I'd like them to fix it. I'll mention that they can go to Skoda and see if they can get any money off. Car is just over 4 years old with 40k on so hopefully they should. 

[short1uk]

On 28/10/2020 at 16:34, iperry said:

Hi,

      There is no switch fix for the superb unfortunately (at least according to my dealership and Skoda UK who acknowledged the fix exists for other models). The total bill for the gearlever replacement was to be an eye watering £900.

 

That said, two, possibly helpful, points:

 

1. Because our car is under 5 years old and has a full service history, Skoda UK offered to cover 40% of the bill.

2. Most importantly though, the repair is technically unnecessary. Provided you are seeing exactly the message I originally posted the total impact of the fault is that you will periodically see the warning message. It does not in any way affect the drivability, safety or MOT status of the vehicle.

 

Ultimately it is simply the car saying:

 

'I have two switches that detect when I'm in Park (one is in the gearbox itself and one in the lever). Occasionally, these switches momentarily disagree with each other (it's always the one in the lever at fault if you are seeing the message in question). As a result, please be totally sure you have left the car in Park when you exit the vehicle because I'm not going to be 100% sure and so might not warn you if you forget to put the lever into 'park' before leaving the vehicle.'

 

Because the switch in the gearbox is the one that actually determines the functionality of the gearbox when driving, the one in the gear lever does nothing. Only when the car is stationary and the engine switched off is the switch in the lever actually used and, even then, only to check that you've left the car in P before exiting the vehicle.

 

So, it's up to you, but the 'unofficial' advice to me from the dealership and Skoda UK representative was simply to ignore the warning and live with it. In most cases it only occurs infrequently and does not deteriorate over time.

 

Hopefully that is helpful.

 

 

Ok so I had this error once a few weeks ago so quick I only managed see the word workshop before it went

 

Today it started on my 3rd journey of the day and it was as I started to drive away - it comes on the dash the message and warning triangle and on the screen is this the same as yours 

[short1uk]

On 28/10/2020 at 16:34, iperry said:

Hi,

      There is no switch fix for the superb unfortunately (at least according to my dealership and Skoda UK who acknowledged the fix exists for other models). The total bill for the gearlever replacement was to be an eye watering £900.

 

That said, two, possibly helpful, points:

 

1. Because our car is under 5 years old and has a full service history, Skoda UK offered to cover 40% of the bill.

2. Most importantly though, the repair is technically unnecessary. Provided you are seeing exactly the message I originally posted the total impact of the fault is that you will periodically see the warning message. It does not in any way affect the drivability, safety or MOT status of the vehicle.

 

Ultimately it is simply the car saying:

 

'I have two switches that detect when I'm in Park (one is in the gearbox itself and one in the lever). Occasionally, these switches momentarily disagree with each other (it's always the one in the lever at fault if you are seeing the message in question). As a result, please be totally sure you have left the car in Park when you exit the vehicle because I'm not going to be 100% sure and so might not warn you if you forget to put the lever into 'park' before leaving the vehicle.'

 

Because the switch in the gearbox is the one that actually determines the functionality of the gearbox when driving, the one in the gear lever does nothing. Only when the car is stationary and the engine switched off is the switch in the lever actually used and, even then, only to check that you've left the car in P before exiting the vehicle.

 

So, it's up to you, but the 'unofficial' advice to me from the dealership and Skoda UK representative was simply to ignore the warning and live with it. In most cases it only occurs infrequently and does not deteriorate over time.

 

Hopefully that is helpful.

 

 

It seems to be every journey tonight I did (home to nursery - nursery to school- school to home) so 3 times and after a few seconds of starting off. Stays in for a bit then disappears after say 1 minute 

Edited 2 November, 2020 by short1uk

[short1uk]

On 28/10/2020 at 16:34, iperry said:

Hi,

      There is no switch fix for the superb unfortunately (at least according to my dealership and Skoda UK who acknowledged the fix exists for other models). The total bill for the gearlever replacement was to be an eye watering £900.

 

That said, two, possibly helpful, points:

 

1. Because our car is under 5 years old and has a full service history, Skoda UK offered to cover 40% of the bill.

2. Most importantly though, the repair is technically unnecessary. Provided you are seeing exactly the message I originally posted the total impact of the fault is that you will periodically see the warning message. It does not in any way affect the drivability, safety or MOT status of the vehicle.

 

Ultimately it is simply the car saying:

 

'I have two switches that detect when I'm in Park (one is in the gearbox itself and one in the lever). Occasionally, these switches momentarily disagree with each other (it's always the one in the lever at fault if you are seeing the message in question). As a result, please be totally sure you have left the car in Park when you exit the vehicle because I'm not going to be 100% sure and so might not warn you if you forget to put the lever into 'park' before leaving the vehicle.'

 

Because the switch in the gearbox is the one that actually determines the functionality of the gearbox when driving, the one in the gear lever does nothing. Only when the car is stationary and the engine switched off is the switch in the lever actually used and, even then, only to check that you've left the car in P before exiting the vehicle.

 

So, it's up to you, but the 'unofficial' advice to me from the dealership and Skoda UK representative was simply to ignore the warning and live with it. In most cases it only occurs infrequently and does not deteriorate over time.

 

Hopefully that is helpful.

 

 

Just a thought.... the other week I had a brain fart and left the box in N while in a car park and the handbrake on. I turned the car off and couldn’t get the bloody key out! In a panic it turned it on and off and still no key. Eventually it said put the car in P! 
so a thought..... if the switch went totally would the key not be stuck in the ignition??? 

So alas better to get it fixed?? I’m off this morning to Lightcliffe Skoda in Warrington to show them the error. I have a 12 month warranty so it should be straight forward to sort - I will show them if needed this post 

[facet edge]

14 hours ago, short1uk said:

Just a thought.... the other week I had a brain fart and left the box in N while in a car park and the handbrake on. I turned the car off and couldn’t get the bloody key out! In a panic it turned it on and off and still no key. Eventually it said put the car in P! 
so a thought..... if the switch went totally would the key not be stuck in the ignition??? 

So alas better to get it fixed?? I’m off this morning to Lightcliffe Skoda in Warrington to show them the error. I have a 12 month warranty so it should be straight forward to sort - I will show them if needed this post 

You have a warranty, it's a fault, they should fix it.

Whether they get any recompense from Skoda is not your problem.