Published: 2022-01-22
MECHANIC: We want to remove the DSG transmission controller in the 2017 Skoda Karoq...
| MECHANIC: | and my question is... how should this be done? Is there a manual for it? |
| EXPERT: | Do you want to remove the entire mechatronics module? Or just the ECU? |
| MECHANIC: | Yes. I mean the ECU, just the ECU. |
| EXPERT: | But you know what, this is a 2017 car... what code does the transmission have? |
| MECHANIC: | DQ381. |
| EXPERT: | Yeah, these ones had problems with the controllers from 2016 to 2020 - there were faulty controllers or more accurately the PCB. Question, do you have access to the module? Or what I mean is if you have enough space. |
| MECHANIC: | Yes, we easily have enough space. |
| EXPERT: | So then, I can give you tightening torques for this, but it's generally a simple procedure, first you remove the protection clip from around the plug, then you pull off the outer cover, and then you have bolts to undo, torx bolts to be exact, you undo them and simply pull out the mechatronics module. |
| MECHANIC: | Yes. |
| EXPERT: | Just be careful while pulling it out to not to grab the PCB, to not break the module... be gentle with it, because it's quite easy to damage. |
| MECHANIC: | But is there no such thing, that I also need to... There are just 9 bolts around the outside, right? |
| EXPERT: | Yes, that's correct, but later during assembly there is a procedure for tightening these bolts with specific torques, angles and in the correct order. I will arrange these for you, and the same for the following external bolts that you'll need to tighten when we have already replaced the mechatronics module. |
| MECHANIC: | But which external bolts? |
| EXPERT: | The module internally to the gearbox body and also that cover. |
| MECHANIC: | Ok, I get it, so that the oil doesn't leak out, right? |
| EXPERT: | Yes, and there you have to drain the oil from the mechatronics first... |
| MECHANIC: | Well yes, because if we dismantle, the oil will leak out, everything is clear, but there aren't such things as in previous gearboxes, where you had to be careful with these forks, do you remember the thing I'm talking about? |
| EXPERT: | Here in this box, it comes out without a problem. Personally I have done it, I have taken it out, so I know from experience. |
| MECHANIC: | And what should the gear lever setting be... does it matter if it's in neutral or park? |
| EXPERT: | No, it doesn't matter. In fact, in the mechatronics module we practically pull out only the solenoid valve assembly... |
| MECHANIC: | Yeah, right. |
| EXPERT: | ...because all the shifters and so on remain inside the box. |
| MECHANIC: | Inside in the box. |
| EXPERT: | Exactly. |
| MECHANIC: | And these protrusions from the controller, these are sensors, yes? |
| EXPERT: | Yes. I'll tell you what, if you want to see what it all looks like, tell me your email address - I have this 0GC mechatronics at my company premises, so I'll make some photos and send it to you. |
| MECHANIC: | And why 0GC? |
| EXPERT: | Because that is the designation of this 0GC box. |
| MECHANIC: | I didn't know that. Because normally it's 381. |
| EXPERT: | DQ381 is one designation of the series, and you also have 0GC - it's a general designation of the gearbox, and you will also have the code of the gearbox, but the code is not important for us in this case. |
| MECHANIC: | I'll tell you what the problem is. The gearbox had two errors: P1735 or P1736 and this is for second clutch positions for both clutches. |
| EXPERT: | Yes. |
| MECHANIC: | We just had the P1736 one clutch second. So we took out this controller, we sent it to a company that repairs those controllers, they sent it back to us, repaired, of course, we put this controller back in, the previous errors disappeared, but two others appeared, and I'll tell you what they are: the first one is P179C with the KTS interpretation "main pressure valve, electrical fault", and the second error is: P176F "clutch second, clutch first closes accidentally". Those are the two errors that came up. |
| EXPERT: | Let me put it this way, you've got a malfunction on one solenoid valve there, and it concerns the mechatronics that was taken out and electrical connections between the electrical board and that mechatronics, and either the company that did it for you did it wrong, or someone damaged it during installation at your place. |
| MECHANIC: | But how? |
| EXPERT: | Someone grabbed the circuit board, pulled it and it broke. The circuit is not closed from one of the solenoid valves, there are I think 7 or 8 solenoid valves and one of them is not fully connected. |
| MECHANIC: | Well, but the repair of this mechatronics consists of mainly just replacing these valves, right? |
| EXPERT: | No, in these gearboxes the whole electrical board is replaced. |
| MECHANIC: | To get to this board, the solenoid valves have to be removed... ok. |
| EXPERT: | Yes, yes and it's about this little electric board. This little board was faulty, hence the two errors you had with the position sensor. With this problem, the entire electric board has to be replaced + gasket + 2 more solenoid valves, because they are leaking. And that solves the problem of this gearbox, but something new has been created here. |
| MECHANIC: | But they could have done something when replacing this board? |
| EXPERT: | They could. When you put the board in, there are no soldered connections, it's just pressed in and I suspect that one of the pins when they were putting the board in didn't connect as it should or while inserting during the assembly of the mechatronic module someone grabbed the board, tugged it and it just separated, so you need to take a look at what's wrong with the module. Just look at it, because the computer doesn't see an electrical connection. By the way, is the error constant or intermittent? |
| MECHANIC: | You can't clear the code at all. |
| EXPERT: | So it's constant, which means that the electrical circuit from the power amplifier to the solenoid valve is not closing. |
| MECHANIC: | Well, you know, in general we're doing ok with these boxes... |
| EXPERT: | Yeah, there's nothing super special about inserting this mechatronics... |
| MECHANIC: | Exactly, that's why I'm quite surprised... |
| EXPERT: | ...and either they broke the controller while repairing it, meaning that while repairing the controller they broke something else... |
| MECHANIC: | Maybe it is just a matter of what you're saying, that something's not quite plugged in there, right? |
| EXPERT: | Right. When you open the cover, you'll see that there are these electrical contacts on the board - the board has holes made in it and from the part where the solenoid valves are, there are electrical connectors sticking out. You put the board on these connectors and you have to make sure that they are all seated as they should. |
| MECHANIC: | But I know it's nice to say it, but it would be different if we had it in front of us... |
| EXPERT: | Yes, that's why I suggested that I can email you the photos of how it should look like. |
| MECHANIC: | Ok, my email is... can I say it? |
| EXPERT: | Yes, I'm ready. |
| MECHANIC: | <e-mail cut out> |
| EXPERT: | Alright... Got it. And you will see the whole of the controller how it looks like. |
| MECHANIC: | Ok, great, so anyway I have to drain the oil from the box, unbolt the cover and then I will be able to see everything, yes? |
| EXPERT: | When you pull the black cover off, then you can see everything, because the contacts are on the top, and you need to see if they're all correctly seated... |
| MECHANIC: | Oh, because these contacts are connected to the solenoid valves, correct? |
| EXPERT: | Yeah well, look at the black board on the mechatronics, on the board you have these squares and solenoid valves shown and the board is attached to the two pins protruding from the solenoid valves. |
| MECHANIC: | I understand. |
| EXPERT: | And now the question is whether there is contact everywhere. When you undo these tiny bolts from the board, because they did it when they were repairing the controller, when you unbolt the board and separate it from the part where the solenoid valves are, there are the pins. There are pins protruding from the solenoid valves, and the board has holes, and one must fit precisely into the other. And now the question is whether they all seated correctly. Because if any of them isn't then the solenoid valve will have an error. |
| MECHANIC: | I see, so maybe we should do it this way. I'm going to drain the oil and unbolt that black board to take a look at the connections, and if I still don't quite understand something, I'll take a photo of it so you can have a look with your professional eye and advise on what next, yeah? |
| EXPERT: | Ok, no problem, but there is also the possibility that you won't see anything, because the board is damaged somewhere underneath and if you don't take it out of the mechatronic module then you won't see it, because it's on the other side, because the board is double-sided... and it could also be that when someone was putting the board on, he bent it slightly, then it didn't sit correctly in some place and it could simply break inside. |
| MECHANIC: | I see, so in short, if they've incorrectly repaired the module, I have to dismantle it and send it back, they have to repair it and then that's it, right? |
| EXPERT: | Yes, and you can also check visually if all these electrical connectors look the same, if they are all in place. Because if not, and it turns out that one of them is bent, and that's why it doesn't make contact, then that is simply the reason there is an error, because the electrical circuit is not closed. |
| MECHANIC: | Okay, fine, I'll take a look at it and if anything, then I'll ring you and we'll talk about the subject some more, ok? |
| EXPERT: | Okay, okay, no problem. |
| MECHANIC: | Cool, thank you very much, see you. |
| EXPERT: | Thanks, bye. |