Hi, wife has a a VW Golf 1.4 TSi dsg 2009 (7 speed auto gearbox), 75k miles.
I took it today for a long journey and noticed if you accelerated hard/floored the accelerator there was a noticeable judder/jolt as it changed gears (after the first time noticing it I did a few experimental accelerates). This was especially noticeable if cruising at 60mph and then accelerating hard, so 7th gear dropping to e.g. 4th. Several times after this I got a flashing engine light warning, and then I've now got a peermanent yellow engine light warning. Otherwise the car was great, cruised very smoothly, mpg good.
Also, there's (possibly) a slight roughness when pulling away gently from standstill and this disappears from 10mph up.
If one accelerates gently-normal it's smooth on all gear changes. The idle is solid. There's no random gear changing.
I'm hopeful for a coil pack fault or dirty injectors as it does lots of short journeys, but any suggestions from knowledgeable people?!
Cheers
First thing would be to get hold of a code reader and see what that says. May be a bit obscure but should give some clue to the source of the issue.
IIRC yellow lights might reset and clear the OBD memory if you switch off the engine so you might have to try and force it on again.
When was the last time the gearbox was serviced?
Only just got into the VAG world after a few years with BMW but picked up that the autobox (is it a DSG) needs a service every two years.
Code reader needed. Sounds like what my 1.4tsi did a few days before the injectors stuck open, which caused more damage. So I’d get it checked for codes ASAP.
Hopefully just coil packs or spark plugs though.
Code reader first.
DSG might need an oil change, but pop the bonnet and see if you can rock the engine forward and back - the lower engine/gearbox mount may have deteriorated - cheap part but has rubber bushes that degrade. You may need to jack the car up and check.
Not so sure it would cause an engine fault, but repeated acceleration might cause a sensor to detect something.
Coil pack is a good possibility - took ages to get my car to throw a code when it developed some rough running, but that wasn't on gear changes. Once the code was up, I could change the coil pack.
IIRC the 7sp DSG may well be a dry clutch and, if so, doesn't need an oil change. Although new oil is never a bad thing.
IIRC the 7sp DSG may well be a dry clutch and, if so, doesn't need an oil change.
Even if the clutch is dry, the gearbox won't be and auto boxes have filters that need replacement occasionally too. I'd still be finding what any codes are first though.
Morning, so headed off to the garage to get a diagnostoic check but when I started the car this morning, no warning light.
So experimenting showed:
- no problems with gentle driving
- flashing engine management light + a judder when accelerating hard (much less so in sport mode)
- and new today and haven't seen before, hard acceleration and the EPC warning light came on, and then very rough running. Switched off for 2 mins, restarted, no warning lights and fine under gentle driving
Any clues? (and appreciate diagnostic check is good, trying to find a VW specialist to do this)
Could be coil pack on the way out - the car should have stored some codes. Mine didn't store a code or even engine light. It wasn't until it actually came on could I plug in reader, misfire on No3 cylinder. New pack ordered, car fixed. Without getting it read, you'll never know.
Google says
The EPC (Electronic Power Control) light signals a fault in your vehicle's electronic systems, often related to the throttle, cruise control, traction control, or engine management, commonly seen in VW/Audi models. It can indicate issues like a faulty throttle body, bad sensors (brake pedal, crank, ABS), wiring problems, or ignition issues, leading to reduced power, rough idling, or poor acceleration,
I had juddering weirdness with my Yeti 1.4TSi when the throttle body failed, your issue definitely sounds fuel/ignition related
Skip the diagnostic check at the garage - it'll cost the same as a decent VAG-specific code reader, and armed with that you can go in and say 'my mk7 Golf keeps doing this under these conditions. I've scanned it and it comes up with P0xxxx code. I can clear it but it comes back', and go from there. That's assuming it does come back - sometimes clearing them is enough.
Without a fault code it's anyone's guess.
Have a look at Foxwell code readers. I have one that was £150 but it’s Porsche specific and covers both my Cayennes so was worth it for me. A friend has a newer version for his Boxster that is also very good. Cheaper less specialised Foxwells are available
I bought mine from the below link, no affiliation but good service.
https://m.gendan.co.uk/choose.php
I've got one of these - I think it was 60€, but it's been brilliant. Can reset service indicators and wind back handbrake calipers as well.
I've had similar symptoms (on a very different VW engine) when the fuel filter was in bad need of changing. Doesn't look like that was a standard service item at the garage I use so no idea how long it had been in the car but swapping it out for a fresh one got things back to normal.
Th other thing that might be worth considering (if you have one) because of the juddering under heavy acceleration is the clutch. Fairly sure I've had a bit of slipping when being enthusiastic with the accelerator just before a clutch master cylinder let go dumping all it's hydraulic fluid onto the plates.
EPC often set by a low voltage issue. Give us your location, as I'm sure somebody on here will be close with a scan tool. Pissing in the wind without a scan.
Th other thing that might be worth considering (if you have one) because of the juddering under heavy acceleration is the clutch. Fairly sure I've had a bit of slipping when being enthusiastic with the accelerator just before a clutch master cylinder let go dumping all it's hydraulic fluid onto the plates.
And on a dry clutch 7-speed VAG DSG this is surprisingly likely.
One of the reasons I sold our Leon with the same 1.4tsi ACT with 7sp DSG....Great engine, lovely driving car, nice gearbox, sooo smooth and rapid. £3k bill when the dogily designed 'sealed for life' dry plate gearbox shats itself...
Thanks all. Had the car booked in for a scan this Weds, but on advice above, will buy a scanner and post up fault codes.
Much appreciate the guidance (and fingers crossed it's relatively minor as it's a lovely car)
MAF sensor or Fuel filter would be my guess. If its a turbo then MAP sensor.
There are some reasonably priced smart phone code readers now, most will also clear codes but reset service lights
Has similar with my 1.4tsi 2009 manual.
new plugs to start and then new coil packs. not expensive from euro car parts.
We have a 2010 Jetta with the DSG box and it's noticeably jerky in 1st or reverse gear. I had a quick search and apparently it's a pretty common issue, with people suggesting a warped clutch plate? DSG apparently has 2, so should only happen on odd gears. Maybe similar to yours?
I haven't done anything about it as it sounds expensive 😐