Safety functions of gearbox control unit — VW

Safety functions of gearbox control unit
If one or several components or sensors fail, the gearbox control unit will activate corresponding alternative functions. This will ensure continued operation of the gearbox despite the impaired functionality and quality of gear change operations caused by the respective failure and the gearbox will be prevented from being destroyed.
The failures detected by the gearbox may cause 4 different states.
1.: The fault is stored, and a substitute program allows for continuing the journey (with some restrictions). The driver is not informed of this state, because it is not critical for the safety or the gearbox. The selector lever position display in the dash panel insert shows the current selector lever position as usual. The driver may, if at all, notice the state due to the driving characteristics and thus automatically contact a Service Partner.
2.: Particular selector lever positions are flashing in the selector lever position display in the dash panel insert. The driver is being warned that it is not possible to select this gear at the moment. This happens if, for example, the position
“D”
is selected while the vehicle is still reversing (selector lever in position
“R”
and vehicle moves rearwards). In this case, the selector lever position
“D”
is flashing in the selector lever position display in the dash panel insert. In this situation, the gearbox control unit prevents the 1st gear from being engaged to prevent damage to the gearbox. As soon as the vehicle has stopped, the 1st gear is engaged.
3.: The selector lever position display in the dash panel insert is completely illuminated and flashes. The selected selector lever position is recognisable in the dash panel insert, e.g.
“D”
is highlighted. This indicates a gearbox overload or that the max. gearbox temperature has been exceeded (overtemperature), e.g. when towing a trailer which is too heavy.
4.: In the event of a critical fault, the selector lever position display in the dash panel insert is completely illuminated and flashes. Also the current selector lever position is not indicated anymore in the dash panel insert. This state is critical for the safety or the gearbox. It may not be possible anymore to select all gears. The flashing selector lever position display requests the driver to contact a Service Partner.