Howdy, just returned from holidays and a 350KM trek from the airport back home, on the way I lost 4/7ths of a gearbox! Emergency mode 2,4,6 only. Checked the code immediately:

 

10666 – Position sensor for clutch 1: Electrical malfunction.

 

I wasn't too happy ! I had one or too other errors too , ACC etc. cleared them all but after another 10KM the 10666 came back.

 

I have the 190BHP 7 Speed DSG, so I assume it's the DQ381 0GC, Wet Clutch. The fluid was changed 3 months ago. I have 220k KM on the clock. 

 

Having had a quick Google it's looking like a new Mechatronics unit is required. 

 

What's everyones opinion on this? I've seen a few places that offer to rebuild my existing one , that is then plug and play

 As opposed to purchasing a new one and getting it coded. 

 

Anyone else had this issue recently?

 

Anything else worth trying before I start spending?

 

Edited 8 July, 20241 yr by defsix

Just to add to this, the error only appears when the gearbox is up to temperature from what I've discovered.

After a bit of research it looks like I have 3 options.

1: Purchase a new Mechatronics unit from Main dealer for €1350+ VAT - No current ETA !

2: Remove Mech unit and ship for a rebuild. €500 Inc Vat

3: Remove Mech unit and replace the pressure sensors my self. €270 Inc Vat.

 

Option 2, I have found a few places in Europe that offer this service:

Transmission-online.shop Seems to offer the best value.

ECU Doctor

ECU.de Has a collection service.

 

Option 3, purchase the sensors. Lots to be found in China or US but I am unsure on the Chinese ones . Found one Slovakia that looks reasonable. 

4X4Parte.com

 

On top of all this I'll need new DSG oil 😁 

 

Anyone got any thoughts on this?

 

Ok, so after speaking to my mechanic and the crowd that do the repair, I've opted to go for the repair method. I'll have 2 years warranty with the repair as opposed to none if I do it myself. 

Funny thing was, at the garage they'd just received a VW Tiguan ( I think) same DSG, same issue. So both units will be going to be rebuilt 😁

Having watched a video of the repair process it looks like you'd need to be an extremely good solderer to remove & refit the sensors yourself. I think you've chosen the better option particularly with a 2 year warranty.

And so the work begins. Getting ready to be shipped off for repair!

Just a quick update. The MCU is on its way back from Germany. I'm based in Ireland so sent it to Germany as opposed to the UK, avoiding the customs hassle and poor exchange rate. 

 

Just for clarification this is the MCU for the DQ381 in a Skoda Superb 2020 2.0 TDI 190 2WD

 

Related codes:

 

10666 / P173500 – Position sensor for clutch 1, electric fault.

10668 / P173600 – Position sensor for clutch 2, electric fault

 

The issue is one or both of the Bosch pressure sensors failing, these are mounted inside the MCU. They can be replaced at home , If you're handy with a soldering iron. The 2 pieces work out around €300, plus your time. I sent mine away, peoce of mind it's done correctly and 2 years warranty.

 

I hope to get the MCU fitted sometime this week. Will update as it happens.

 

Edited 21 July, 20241 yr by defsix

So, hopefully the final update. 

After receiving the MCU back from ECU.de in Germany on Tuesday, I scheduled the time to refit it this Saturday. All in for the complete job it took less than 2 hours. 

 

We refitted the new supplied O-Rings on the MCU before install. Replaced the filter and refilled the DSG liquid gold AKA, Oil.

 

I'm under warranty still for this work, already agreed. I purchased and will be reimbursed due to the fact the garage I purchased from is 3 hours drive away. I said I'd do it locally and cover the labour. They would pay the parts. 

 

 

Edited 27 July, 20241 yr by defsix

And the total cost for parts... €861.93 Incl VAT @ 23%

 

 

Plus my mechanic and my time. 

On 10/07/2024 at 11:48, defsix said:

After a bit of research it looks like I have 3 options.

1: Purchase a new Mechatronics unit from Main dealer for €1350+ VAT - No current ETA !

2: Remove Mech unit and ship for a rebuild. €500 Inc Vat

3: Remove Mech unit and replace the pressure sensors my self. €270 Inc Vat.

 

Option 2, I have found a few places in Europe that offer this service:

Transmission-online.shop Seems to offer the best value.

ECU Doctor

ECU.de Has a collection service.

 

Option 3, purchase the sensors. Lots to be found in China or US but I am unsure on the Chinese ones . Found one Slovakia that looks reasonable. 

4X4Parte.com

 

On top of all this I'll need new DSG oil 😁 

 

Anyone got any thoughts on this?

 

Hello 👋 Thanks for all the details. I am experiencing the same problem. Had MCU problems before and it was "fixed" here but now 3rd time is not working, this time same error as yours, only clutch 2. I am wondering if you have that 2 year warranty on all the mechatronics or only on that sensor that they will fix? 

The electric part of the MCU, basically the part that I sent is warranteed. They replaced both sensors.

 

So far , no problems.

2 hours ago, defsix said:

The electric part of the MCU, basically the part that I sent is warranteed. They replaced both sensors.

 

So far , no problems.

So, basically if you would have another defect on the MCU with another error code the warranty would cover it... Also, is there any chance that they send me their refurbished MCU and when I receive it, I send mine to them? Asking this because of the logistics to have everything finished in 1 day in a service. 

4 hours ago, Nebljusi said:

So, basically if you would have another defect on the MCU with another error code the warranty would cover it... Also, is there any chance that they send me their refurbished MCU and when I receive it, I send mine to them? Asking this because of the logistics to have everything finished in 1 day in a service. 

That is my understanding with the warranty. I don't expect any issues. The MCU is coded to your car so the exchange service would be a pain. The savings in getting it repaired this way has the downside of time taken to do the job and wait for the parts to be repaired.

I didn't expect it also, but this is 3rd time in 2 years... Now looking for something to change... These were local garages doing the same thing. So far gave 1700 eur... Could have bought a new one 😢 But I always believed that it's fixed now, and it keeps pulling the money out of the pocket... 

Morning defsix.

 

Thanks for this info. I just got P173500 on my 192 C Superb  ( Based in Meath) yesterday so have spent a lot of time trawling the net for an easy fix. There isn't one!

 

I am considering sending the unit to the UK as i think they provide a life time warranty and I don't want to do this again.

Is there much involved in the removal/ installation? I havent done it before and I don't have a pit or lift so it'll have to be done with ramps / stands. 

Are there any things to watch out for ?

I am a mech by trade but not car however I do most of my own basic maintenance, except for gearbox strip outs.... 

 

Also. I do an 80 mile round trip for work and it happened initially on my way there yesterday.  It reset but happened again on the way home.

Should I bite the bullet and strip it today or could I get a week out of it while I scratch my head?

 

Any / all help would be greatly appreciated 

 

Thanks

 

Fionn

 

 

 

 

 

 

Use a good Automatic Gearbox repairer that will already be dealing with the specialists that repair MCU,s.

 

Get the diagnosis before the MCU is removed, and if it gets sent away it needs re-installed correctly and you want the DSG serviced, Oil & Filter change done. 

16 minutes ago, FionnG said:

Morning defsix.

 

Thanks for this info. I just got P173500 on my 192 C Superb  ( Based in Meath) yesterday so have spent a lot of time trawling the net for an easy fix. There isn't one!

 

I am considering sending the unit to the UK as i think they provide a life time warranty and I don't want to do this again.

Is there much involved in the removal/ installation? I havent done it before and I don't have a pit or lift so it'll have to be done with ramps / stands. 

Are there any things to watch out for ?

I am a mech by trade but not car however I do most of my own basic maintenance, except for gearbox strip outs.... 

 

Also. I do an 80 mile round trip for work and it happened initially on my way there yesterday.  It reset but happened again on the way home.

Should I bite the bullet and strip it today or could I get a week out of it while I scratch my head?

 

Any / all help would be greatly appreciated 

 

Thanks

 

Fionn

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can you provide the link of the service  that is giving a lifetime warranty? Thanks

37 minutes ago, FionnG said:

Morning defsix.

 

Thanks for this info. I just got P173500 on my 192 C Superb  ( Based in Meath) yesterday so have spent a lot of time trawling the net for an easy fix. There isn't one!

 

I am considering sending the unit to the UK as i think they provide a life time warranty and I don't want to do this again.

Is there much involved in the removal/ installation? I havent done it before and I don't have a pit or lift so it'll have to be done with ramps / stands. 

Are there any things to watch out for ?

I am a mech by trade but not car however I do most of my own basic maintenance, except for gearbox strip outs.... 

 

Also. I do an 80 mile round trip for work and it happened initially on my way there yesterday.  It reset but happened again on the way home.

Should I bite the bullet and strip it today or could I get a week out of it while I scratch my head?

 

Any / all help would be greatly appreciated 

 

Thanks

 

Fionn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Morning Fionn,

Make sure you have the correct fault codes first!

Removing the mcu is quite easy all you have to do is drain the oil, unbolt the front of the gearbox and drop out the cover and MCU. Split the 2 and send off PCB part. Watch a few YouTube videos first 😁

Edited 23 November, 20241 yr by defsix

Cheers.

 

Been on Utube all night.

I have the module part number so I know what to order. 

I got an error code and checked the pressures. It was giving me a minus value so I'll include all this when sending.

 

I'm looking at this service but haven't made any decisions yet.

 

https://www.ecutesting.com/product-catalogue/skoda/superb/ecu-transmission/etm27711h-f/

 

Now I just have to find something to drive for 2 weeks while I figure it out. 

 

Thanks

 

Fionn

 

 

1 hour ago, FionnG said:

Cheers.

 

Been on Utube all night.

I have the module part number so I know what to order. 

I got an error code and checked the pressures. It was giving me a minus value so I'll include all this when sending.

 

I'm looking at this service but haven't made any decisions yet.

 

https://www.ecutesting.com/product-catalogue/skoda/superb/ecu-transmission/etm27711h-f/

 

Now I just have to find something to drive for 2 weeks while I figure it out. 

 

Thanks

 

Fionn

 

 

Thanks man... Pressures you talk about are the sensor pressures in the MCU right? Snesor 1 and 2?

4 hours ago, Nebljusi said:

Thanks man... Pressures you talk about are the sensor pressures in the MCU right? Snesor 1 and 2?

As ar as I know.

I used a launch code reader and recorded the values but I can't find the recording now. 

 

I have the unit out now and getting ready to ship it. Not too difficult to do but I pulled the battery n breather box just for more access.

I know the error was P173500 and all I had was 246 and reverse. 

Go from Underneath. Much easier, I think.

Will you be able to put it back on your own, fill up the oil and change the filter? And does it require any setting after mounting it back on? 

Correctly set the oil level of a DQ381.  Which is the error that too many Factory Trained VW Group techs are making.

There are good Youtube vids showing that. 

I Pulled a lot of bits to get to the filter easier and have a better look at what the top looked like.

Filter was clean so that's good.

 

I plan on doing the oil and filter when it's going back in. I've ordered a basic filling tool that screws into the sump drain and on to the 1L can. Gravity will fill it up.

 

It's on stands at the moment so I'll have to drop it. Let it drain fully and then service and test it. 

Lots of videos on utube. 

 

Ecutesting say that the unit will be plug and play but if they have to do anything  to it, they will let you know. 

I think I'm going to go this route even though it is more expensive but they return a unit that just has to be installed so here's hoping.