Volkswagen Tiguan DSG - DQ381 - Removal and Fitting

The Volkswagen Tiguan DSG gearbox is all too common for failing, with the introduction of the DQ381 mechatronic there’s been nothing but problems plaguing every vehicle fitted with it.
We’ve got the rebuild covered, but Tim’s going to run you through the correct method for removing and reinstalling the DQ381…
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
• P173500 - Position Sensor For Clutch 1 Electrical Malfunction
• P173600 - Position Sensor For Clutch 2 Electrical Malfunction
Affected Vehicles:
• Audi A3 (2017 - 2019)
• Audi S3 (2016 - 2018)
• Seat Ateca (2016 - 2020)
• Skoda Superb (2017 - 2020)
• Volkswagen Arteon (2017 - 2021)
• Volkswagen Golf (2017 - 2020)
• Volkswagen Tiguan (2016 - 2020)
www.ecutesting.com/common-fau...
#DQ381 #howto #automotive
0:00 - Episode insight
0:20 - DQ381 Problems
1:05 - DQ381 repair
1:28 - Requirements for mechatronic removal
2:19 - How to get to DQ381
3:24 - DQ381 oil change
4:44 - Remove DQ381
5:32 - Re-fitting DQ381
6:12 - Re-fill gearbox oil
7:18 - Set gearbox oil level
8:25 - DSG mechatronic programming

[@andreiv8186]

Now that is what you call a top notch customer service! Thank you!

[@peterrick3339]

Well done. Best ever How to Do video i have ever seen. Dummies Guide. Even i understood & followed it :)

[@Ecutestinglimited]

Hi. Thank you for the kind words, we are glad we could help you out! 👍

[@user-cr7bq8vw8s]

Could you tell me the bolt tightening torque for fixing the brake caliper?

[@foldi001]

Very good video!

[@texwan]

Is the order and torque spec the same for the DQ250?

[@19montysay]

What settings on the Obdeleven do you use for the last bit?

[@alibey_ali]

Hello. I have a vehicle with a DQ381 type wet clutch 7-speed transmission. Skoda Kodiaq 2019 1.5 TSI . I had my vehicle's transmission oil and transmission oil filter changed about 1 week ago. After changing the transmission oil and filter, my vehicle vibrates while idling. For example, when I start waiting at a red light, there is flickering. Although not always, occasionally there was a problem such as a contraction/vibration caused by the transmission. There was no such flickering problem before the replacement. What do you think is the problem? By the way, the transmission oil change was done exactly as you did and said. What might we have missed? Thank you. It's been a little long :)

[@kungfu9409]

Thank you very much. For explan in deatlies

[@ed2391]

Can you do a video on the difference between lead acid and AGM batteries?

[@joaconta]

Hello from Italy werry well .How many kilometres do you have to do this type of maintenance?

[@user-kf8jp8mk3c]

The oil is very clean from that transmission 🎉

[@dazbcos1969]

Can you run the basic settings if you have a tcu tune? And what about resetting adaptions? after 20 mins of hard driving, I get my traction control light flashing, this cuts the power, I've changed bevel box, haldex pump, haldex clutches, still same problem, several garages looked without success 😢 thanks Darren

[@dazbcos1969]

You got any videos on esc issues fault finding? Cheers Darren 😊

[@user-jl8lg1ci3e]

HELLO .! VW T-ROC 4 MOTIΟN 2.0 DGS 7 has the same transmission ( DQ381).???? THANK YOU

[@user-cr7bq8vw8s]

Thank you for the video. How much is the oil pan bolt tightening torque? Please also tell me the order of where the bolts are fastened.

[@Ecutestinglimited]

The torque for the oil pan bolts should be 8 Nm followed by a 60° turn, and there is no specific order for this, the manufacturer's advice is to simply 'tighten new bolts diagonally in several stages'. Hope this helps and we are glad you liked the video!

[@user-cr7bq8vw8s]

thank you very much! I wish you all the best for your future!

[@pWierno]

Rattle noise problem is common? I found that many people sayibg that its a flywheel

[@sjorsdw]

Im based in Spain, would you support that as well? What is an indicating cost of a rebuild? My 2018 Passat Alltrack goes into gearbox emergency mode when driving highway for about half an hour leaving me with 2/4/6th gear only. Next day all normal but problem comes back after motorway drive. I can drive for an hour on a lower speed road without the issue .. Im thinking a temperature problem.

[@Ecutestinglimited]

Hi. We offer a worldwide service so you can send your unit into us not matter where you are located. Please email our technical support team at [e-mail] with the details you have mentioned in your comment and they will be happy to assist you further and advise you on any re-build solution we offer. Thanks.

[@raulfloresreyes2112]

tengo una Audi q3 2014 con este tipo de transmisión con una falla poco común a la información que proporcionas en tu pagina 1. no da ningún tipo de código de fallas y ninguna alerta en el cuadro de instrumentos 2. ya se le puso un embrague nuevo 3. cuando esta estacionada, la presionas a 3000 rpm hace un ruido muy agudo que proviene de las transmisión y cuando la estas conduciendo todas sus marchas entran bien al menos que no la presiones arriba de 3000 rpm esta se neutraliza y deja de aplicar cambios, bajas a 2000 rpm y la transmisión funciona normal tengo duda de como hacer el diagnostico de los sensores de presión del embrague para hacer su reparación o reemplazar toda la mecatrónica...

[@unaibilbao5222]

Great video bro, thank you. I need a refeetting of that ECU for my MY2018 Passat, I have the P1736 fault code. How can I order from spain and how much is it? thank you very much

[@Ecutestinglimited]

Hi. We are glad you enjoyed the video! Please follow this link: www.ecutesting.com/product-catalogue/volkswagen/passat/ecu-transmission/ and select the part number which matches your unit that is fitted to your vehicle for our most up to date pricing. If you cannot find the part number of your unit on our website, please email our technical support team at [e-mail] with the unit's part number, your vehicle make and model, and details of the fault you are experiencing, and they will assist you further. Just to confirm, we only offer a re-build service of your original unit, not a removal or re-fitting service, so you will have to remove the mechatronic yourself or with a garage. Thanks.

[@user-pl8iq7pk7y]

If you drain 2 separate plugs, do you still only refill using the big one?

[@Ecutestinglimited]

Hi. Yes you are correct that you only need to refill the gear oil using one plug. The plug on the side of the gearbox is the drain plug which will completely drain the gearbox of any oil. Whereas the plug at the bottom of the gearbox is the inspection plug, which you can use to re-fill the gearbox and correctly set the oil level.

[@user-eh1vq2qk2c]

-------- at 8:04 once oil has reached 35 degrees do we turn car off and then drain excess oil or leave engine running ? thanks

[@Ecutestinglimited]

Hi. We would recommend leaving the engine running to ensure the oil doesn't drop below 35°C when setting the level. Please note that a small gush of oil may escape from the overflow pipe every 30 seconds or so due to cooling oil pulses for supplying the multi-clutch, but ignore these when setting the level. When the constant flow of oil stops, then the level is set. Hope this helps!

[@IftikharAhmed-cp3og]

Audi q3 p172700 and p071500 please help

[@vishnumundree5001]

Is this the same gearbox on a facelift 2017 Golf 7.5R DQ381 and is this a wet clutch gearbox

[@johnboy2436]

i also want to know this... iv heard nothing but good things about the dq381 with the ea888 gen 3 engine.

[@marktrader9046]

I have tiguan 2011 model ,some time automatic gear not shifting while parked.once vehicle moving then no problem in shifting.

[@Ecutestinglimited]

Hi. Intermittent loss of gears is a sign of a failing mechatronic unit. However, without any fault codes/ further details it would be tricky to say for sure without testing the unit. If you would like to get your unit tested, please contact our technical support team via email at [e-mail] or via phone on [phone] with the following details. Your make and model of vehicle, the unit's part number, and any details of the fault you are experiencing - including fault codes, symptoms and any attempted fixes you have tried. They will be happy to advise you further. Thanks.

[@arronlowley8890]

Hi guys, currently got a cupra 290 with the d381, i tend to find downshifts from 2-1 to be unpleasant, and hear a chatter as it goes into first, could this be a sign of the mech unit? i have no fault codes etc.

[@Ecutestinglimited]

Hi. Please email our technical support team at [e-mail] with the details of your message above as well as the part number of the mechatronic unit, and they will be happy to advise you further. Thanks.

[@nathanmays7735]

I take it the DQ500 is similar if not the same procedure?

[@Ecutestinglimited]

Hi. Yes the DQ500 removal and re-fit procedure is very similar, but we would always recommend consulting the relevant repair manual for your vehicle. Thanks.

[@nathanmays7735]

My DQ500 is on its way to you

[@oijhhytdirhrbru]

Most DQ381 do not use G 052 182 which is a quite old type of fluid. The correct fluid is G 055 529

[@thesled]

Do you know if G055 529a2 is compatible with the dq500?

[@oijhhytdirhrbru]

@@thesled It is not, plz don't use it with dq 500

[@thesled]

@@oijhhytdirhrbru what is recommended for the dq500? Seems to be a lot of conflicting answers between forums and even the dealerships. It’s for a mk2 Tiguan r-line 2.0tdi 150 4motion

[@oijhhytdirhrbru]

@@thesled The original first-fill fluid developed for dq250/dq500 known as fuchs FFL-2 formally known as pentosin FFL-2

[@mitchhicken]

not seen anywhere else about undoing the overflow tube 2 full turns before determining oil level... not sure what/who to trust

[@Ecutestinglimited]

Hi. Apologies for the delayed response. We have used the manufactures guidance whilst creating this guide, and they state _"Caution. Gearbox damage from overfilling. The correct oil level is below the level of the overflow pipe. For this reason, the overflow pipe must be unscrewed 2 turns to enable the oil level to be checked and adjusted correctly"_ This is specific guidance for the mechatronic unit for dual clutch gearbox 0GC, so if you are unsure then we would always recommend obtaining the manufactures guidance sheets for your specific vehicle. Hope this helps.

[@dw1508]

Is there a sump gasket?

[@Ecutestinglimited]

Hi. Yes there is a gasket for the sump, but the parts mostly come together if you are renewing either. The part number for the sump and gasket for the vehicle in the video is OGC 325 201 H

[@mattallen3448]

Hi, What’s the turn around time?

[@Ecutestinglimited]

Hi. Our current turn around time is between 2-3 days after we receive your unit, however this is an estimate and can vary. Before you purchase a product/service on our website please look at the turnaround time for that particular unit. Thanks.

[@mattallen3448]

@@Ecutestinglimited Thank you for the reply, are the parts that require replacement I.e bolts etc the same for the DQ500?

[@mitchhicken]

Had ecutesting refurb my unit now getting P175E00 fault

[@Ecutestinglimited]

Hi. Sorry to hear that you are currently having problems with your remanufactured unit. Please contact our customer support team who will assist you further [phone].

[@patrickwatt4458]

How can I get a migatronic far VW Jetta

[@Ecutestinglimited]

Hi. We are a testing and remanufacturing company so if your mechatronic unit is faulty then we can look into remanufacturing it for you. We do have some refurbished units in our stock, so if you have a part number of a particular unit then we can look into this for you. Please email our technical support team at [e-mail] with the part number of the unit, and they will advise you further. Thanks.

[@windogmassey1]

Super video thank you. Just a quick question, what is the operating temperature of the gearbox fluid please? I'm getting 90c stable after running for 30 mins but that seems high? Also, you don't use the clutch disengagement tool, not needed?

[@Ecutestinglimited]

Hi. 90ºC is within the standard operating temperatures for a transmission (usually around 80-100ºC). Also a clutch disengagement tool isn't needed for this procedure.

[@shikago333]

Это разве не DQ500?

[@madrock1444]

no this is DSG7 0GC DQ381

[@Paul-hj1vt]

Unfortunately ECU testing isn't able to reliably rebuild mechatronics. I sent them one from my golf 7.5 DQ381, they rebuilt it three (3) times, and failed after less than 5k miles every time. Each time I spent about $400 in remove and refit, and new oil, and shipping, + their rebuild charge. So in the end, better to just go with a NEW MECHATRONIC and don't waste time.

[@Ecutestinglimited]

Hi. I cannot find a customer record for you in our database, please can you contact us and provide us with your reference number so that we can look into this further. Thanks.

[@user-wu3yd2lh3n]

The oil from my gearbox is much darker than in the video, should I be concerned?

[@Ecutestinglimited]

Hi. The colour of the oil will darken depending on how old it is. The vehicle we filmed in this video had only recently had an oil change, hence why the oil is so clear. The only things you should be concerned about is if the oil is extremely dark or black and smells burnt, as this could indicate the transmission is overheating. Also if there is a significant amount of metal shavings causing the oil to have a 'grainy' feel to it, then there could be internal transmission damage. Hope this helps!

[@user-wu3yd2lh3n]

@@EcutestinglimitedThanks for reply, yeah mine is dark and smells burnt with metal dust at bottom.Only 65,000ks

[@Ecutestinglimited]

Hi. Unfortunately that means there is likely internal damage to the transmission. We would recommend getting it diagnosed by a transmission specialist.

[@sagar4955]

Query Regarding Refilling of Mechatronic Oil...As We have removed oil from Mechatronic by removing 8 mm Plug. How to Fill back oil in Mechatronic Unit? Kindly clear my concept.

[@Ecutestinglimited]

Hi. We show how to re-fill the mechatronic oil at 6:46 in the video. There are many tools you can use to re-fill the oil, but we have used a simple oil filling hose shown at 1:35 (part number VAS6262A). Attach it to the inspection plug and gear oil bottle, lower the car down on the ramp so the bottle is higher than the vehicle and then squeeze the bottle until it is empty and repeat until you have used at least 6 litres of oil (check your vehicles specific repair manual for the exact amount). You can then follow the rest of the steps in the video to set the correct level and perform the adaption procedure. Hope this helps!