DQ381 Mechatronic – Causing Tiguan DSG Gearbox Problems

Volkswagen Tiguan DQ381 Fault

The DSG DQ381 gearbox has been designed as a smaller and lighter version of the DQ500 which greatly improves fuel consumption and reduces CO2 emissions. Fitted to front and all-wheel drive vehicles on the MQB platform such as Audi A3, Skoda Superb, Seat Ateca and Volkswagen Golf. Although there is a marked improvement in reliability – there are still manufacturing and component defects that will disable the vehicle – most notably on the Volkswagen Tiguan DQ381 mechatronic.  

 

DQ381 mechatronic failure is extremely common. When this part fails symptoms will be caused such as missing odd gears, intermittent loss of gears, the vehicle going into limp mode and complete loss of all gears. When identifying the issue with diagnostic scan tools, fault codes will be stored for clutch position sensors, which can initially be cleared but will always return until the problem is resolved.

 

If you are experiencing these DQ381 Tiguan DSG gearbox problems, or other model, then you may have been told that you need to purchase an expensive replacement from manufacturer. The problem with this is that it will also require coding to your vehicle, at further expense, and due to the defects not being worked-out at factory level – any replacement is bound to fail in the exact same way and you’ll be stuck in the same position as before.

 

We have a better solution…

 

Our test and rebuild service is designed to break this circle, we’ll rebuild your DQ381 mechatronic and supply an unlimited mile Lifetime Warranty as standard. When we do this, we use higher rated components than originally installed so there's no chance of it failing again in the future. All of this will be done within 2-3 working days, without the need for reprogramming, so you can get back on the road as soon as possible.

 

Shop Now

 

Common Failure symptoms:

  • Intermittent loss of gears
  • No gear selection at all
  • Sticks in gear
  • Jerky gear change
  • Limp/safe mode
  • Misses odd gears: 1, 3, 5 and 7
  • Often fails when warm/long drive

 

Common fault codes:

  • P173500 - Position Sensor For Clutch 1 Electrical Malfunction
  • P173600 - Position Sensor For Clutch 2 Electrical Malfunction

 

Removal and refitting:

 

 

Common failing part numbers:

 

Test and rebuild:

We test every unit beyond the operating parameters of your vehicle on our Hardware In-The-Loop rigs, during rebuild we make sure all components used meet or exceed OEM requirements so that once it's been rebuilt it will not fail again.

 

Programming:

All coding is retained – no need for expensive programming

 

Quality:

We have a strict quality control over all areas of testing and rebuild processes, which ensures that we can confidently provide our Lifetime Warranty. With work defect rate lower than 0.49% across all of our services, it is clear to see why franchise main dealerships and specialists trust us as their go-to source for rebuilds.

 

Warranty:

Lifetime unlimited mileage*

 

How do I get my unit rebuilt?

To pay for the rebuild click the Shop Now link above, select your part number and click: Get yours rebuilt.

Print the payment/booking confirmation email.

Package the DQ381 ECU inside a sturdy box with plenty of packaging material (make sure you include your confirmation email in the box).

Send us your package by tracked courier (the shipping instructions are on the confirmation email).

Once received we will test, rebuild and return your unit with an unlimited mileage lifetime warranty. (if your unit turns out not to be faulty then we will refund your payment less a small testing fee and return shipping)

 

What if I don’t want to pay up front?

This is not a problem, if you prefer this option then follow the following steps:

Fill in and submit this test form.

Print the booking confirmation email.

Package the faulty DQ381 transmission ECU inside a sturdy box with plenty of packaging material (make sure you include your confirmation email in the box).

Send us your package by tracked courier (the shipping instructions are on the confirmation email).

Once received, we will test your gearbox ECU and call you to advise on the outcome of testing, if your unit is faulty and you choose to go ahead with the rebuild then we will take payment over the phone using a debit/credit card.

We will then rebuild your transmission unit and return it to you with an unlimited mileage warranty.

If you require further information regarding this DSG DQ381 transmission ECU, then please contact us.

Volkswagen Products/Services

AMAROK

ARTEON

BEETLE

BORA

CADDY

CALIFORNIA

CARAVELLE

CARAVELLE T4

CC

CRAFTER

EOS

FOX

GOLF

GOLF PLUS

JETTA

LUPO

MULTIVAN

PASSAT

PHAETON

POLO

SCIROCCO

SHARAN

T-Roc

TIGUAN

TOUAREG

TOURAN

TRANSPORTER

TRANSPORTER T4

TRANSPORTER T5

TRANSPORTER T5 (FL)

TRANSPORTER T6

Comments on "DQ381 Mechatronic – Causing Tiguan DSG Gearbox Problems"
John Walton says: 05/09/2023 08:29:14
what costs are involved in repairing mechatronic unit on 2018 Tiguan
ECU Admin says: 06/09/2023 09:38:45
Sean says: 05/08/2023 09:09:18
Hi, I had a similar issue last night, my gearbox drive in first and third gear until it cooled down, and the fault code was for clutch 2 position sensor. Would this be fixable? Drove fine after clearing and cooling down. Thanks
ECU Admin says: 08/08/2023 10:52:47
Hi Sean, drop us an email with your specific fault code and we can look into this for you. contact us
anis says: 10/07/2023 06:28:32
hi, I have Q3 2013 and having limp mode and gear stuck in odd gear and no reverse after drive for few KM... need to stop and waiting until it's cool and back to normal.. and its repeating all the time
ECU Admin says: 10/07/2023 16:49:56
Hi, we can look into this for you. To get started just follow this link: https://www.ecutesting.com/product-catalogue/audi/q3/ecu-transmission/etm27711h-d/
Mike says: 25/06/2023 12:56:32
Any idea of cost to freight a mechatronic to you from New Zealand? Also turn around time as my Tiguan would have to be off the road until I get it back. Thanks
ECU Admin says: 26/06/2023 09:40:17
Hi Mike, drop us an email, contact us, with your address and we can get a shipping quote for you
Carl Speckner says: 07/11/2022 11:35:17
I have an issue with a Skoda Superb (2018, 2,0 DSG DQ381) When the engine is warm (70-100 mile trip) I get an error Gearbox Emergency Mode. You can drive on. Error codes are P0805 (Clutch Position Sensor) / P173500 Position sensor for clutch 1. Odd gear are then not in use. After stopping, it will reset. It all behaves normally on short trips. Can you advise if you are able to repair the mechatronic for this fault together with turnaround time if the unit is sent to you.
ECU Admin says: 08/11/2022 09:52:31
Hi Carl, sounds like you may have a faulty DQ381 mechatronic module. Our turn-around is mentioned above, for prices and shipping information simply click on your model above or here: https://www.ecutesting.com/product-catalogue/skoda/superb/ecu-transmission/etm27711g-d/
Barth Igomu says: 03/11/2022 16:31:46
My car is a 2010 VW TIGUAN AUTO DSG GEARBOX, Car jerks/stalls forward on start up until it gets in motion and stabilises. Needs to Have a diagnostics on the transmission and repair if possible.
ECU Admin says: 04/11/2022 09:35:55
Hi, once you've had diagnostics ran let us know the results and we can help from there
Juan José Arranz says: 03/10/2022 18:47:43
I have 1736 fault in my A3 2.0tdi 2017. Can you repair It?
ECU Admin says: 04/10/2022 09:46:20
Hi, looks like you have one of the common faults that we describe above. Get that into us for testing with a view to rebuild, just complete our Test Form or click Buy Now above
John Paul Dudley says: 19/02/2022 13:17:59
Hi i have the p173600 fault code ,just wondering how muvh would it cost to rebuild the mechatronic unit?
ECU Admin says: 21/02/2022 09:47:47
Hi, for prices and shipping information just click on your model above.
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