Error Message following service

[acer]

I'm so hacked off with my dealer and for so many reasons. I'm sure I'll be writing it up on here soon, but what is at the forefront of my mind right now is if I should be worrying / doing anything regarding an error message that appeared on my screen when I put my key in the ignition while on the dealer forecourt :


The customer service person said that it was ok when she drove it a moment before. When she inspected it with me she re-started the engine a couple of times, but the warning continued. She took it to her technician, who was a non California specialist (more on that in another thread I'm sure), who apparently did the same thing and hey presto! No error warning. "Sorry, we don't know why it did that, but it's ok now so..." I was already feeling gutted that I had entrusted my vehicle to them for many other reasons that I won't go into now and had already complained to the manager there about other issues. I just wanted my van back and to be able to take it to someone else that knew what they were doing, so while I expressed my lack of confidence in the vehicle, I drove away feeling utterly sick and depressed by the whole experience with them - again, mainly due to the other treatment that I and my van had received.

Anyway, I don't want this to turn into just another "my dealer is a **** rant", not yet anyway . Does anyone know if this is a common issue? Or, if I should be concerned? (The journey back was without incident and I didn't get the same message when I checked a moment ago.)

 

[flying banana]

Worth buying a carista or similar code reader to see if the fault is logged on the ECU. I have a manual box so not experienced in that fault.

 

[WelshGas]

I'm so hacked off with my dealer and for so many reasons. I'm sure I'll be writing it up on here soon, but what is at the forefront of my mind right now is if I should be worrying / doing anything regarding an error message that appeared on my screen when I put my key in the ignition while on the dealer forecourt :
View attachment 149035

The customer service person said that it was ok when she drove it a moment before. When she inspected it with me she re-started the engine a couple of times, but the warning continued. She took it to her technician, who was a non California specialist (more on that in another thread I'm sure), who apparently did the same thing and hey presto! No error warning. "Sorry, we don't know why it did that, but it's ok now so..." I was already feeling gutted that I had entrusted my vehicle to them for many other reasons that I won't go into now and had already complained to the manager there about other issues. I just wanted my van back and to be able to take it to someone else that knew what they were doing, so while I expressed my lack of confidence in the vehicle, I drove away feeling utterly sick and depressed by the whole experience with them - again, mainly due to the other treatment that I and my van had received.

Anyway, I don't want this to turn into just another "my dealer is a **** rant", not yet anyway . Does anyone know if this is a common issue? Or, if I should be concerned? (The journey back was without incident and I didn't get the same message when I checked a moment ago.)

Has been reported before on here and T6 Forum. Basically the vehicle doesn't know if the DSG is in P, Park. This is due to a microswitch in the shifter mechanism. May never happen again but if it becomes permanent then part of the shifter mechanism needs replacing.

 

[lohr500]

Googling suggests it is a common problem :

The dashboard message "Error: workshop! Only leave vehicle in position P" typically means the microswitch in your gear selector has failed. While the car's mechanics are generally safe, the sensor no longer detects when you are in 'Park'. You should contact an authorized repair center to replace or bypass the faulty switch. [1, 2, 3]

What the Warning Means
This issue is extremely common in Volkswagen Group vehicles (including Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, and SEAT) equipped with automatic or DSG transmissions. [1]

• The Cause: A tiny internal microswitch inside the gear shifter module becomes faulty or corroded.
• The Reality: Your transmission is physically safe and locks in 'P', but the car's computer isn't receiving the electronic signal, prompting the annoying warning. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Immediate Steps & Solutions

• Is it safe to drive? Yes. You do not need to immediately tow the vehicle. Many drivers continue to drive with this warning for extended periods. []
• Quick Reset: Sometimes, rapidly shifting the gear lever back and forth fifty times can temporarily scrape corrosion off the contact points and clear the error.
• The Repair: Dealerships will often suggest replacing the entire gear lever assembly, which can be expensive. However, many independent specialists offer an affordable add-on microswitch repair kit that bypasses the broken sensor. [1, 2, 3]

For a visual breakdown of how the gear selector module fails and the process independent workshops use to repair the microswitch:


I think I have read previous posts where owners have replaced the microswitch themselves, rather than the ordeal of another stealer visit!!!

If it is the microswitch, then it is a mystery to me as to why it should fail whilst at the dealer. Perhaps coincidence, or have they updated something/damaged the microswitch somehow?
I have no idea if it can be damaged by trying to shift the lever without fully pressing the interlock button for example.

 

[Perfectos]

Known issue

It's a new gear selector sensor = warranty.

And yes your dealer is a **** ! They knew the problem had appeared and handed the vehicle back, likely binned the fault to get you away, but it will come back

 

[acer]

Thanks very much to everyone for taking the time to respond to this. Cali ownership would be a daunting prospect without this forum.

If it’s just a faulty micro switch causing the computer to think there’s an issue, rather than there being a real issue, that makes me feel a bit better (not to feel better about the dealer obviously).

I’ll ‘wait and see’, and when / if it comes back, just take it to a recommended dealer - I’ve got 3 years of warranty left. I just hope that I’m not 2000 miles away in Finland when it happens, although it sounds like the consensus is that it’s safe to drive anyway, yes?

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks very much to everyone for taking the time to respond to this. Cali ownership would be a daunting prospect without this forum.

If it’s just a faulty micro switch causing the computer to think there’s an issue, rather than there being a real issue, that makes me feel better a bit better (not to feel better about the dealer obviously).

I’ll ‘wait and see’, and when / if it comes back, just take it to a recommended dealer - I’ve got 3 years of warranty left. I just hope that I’m not 2000 miles away in Finland when it happens, although it sounds like the consensus is that it’s safe to drive anyway, yes?

It's Safe to drive. Just annoying.