Cali Stuck in Portugal due to gearbox

[Jordan L]

Hi all,

Strange issue with my 2006 Cali T5, only has 152,000 kms on the clock but the (DSG) gearbox failed to work.

The only VW garage in the area seems to be Jap Blue in Faro who told me the computer said it was a faulty sensor, they changed that and now apparently it's the whole gear box needs changing (8kEUR)

Seems strange on such low miles?

Thing is that we had a crazy heat wave down there (45degrees) then things started to break, started with the electric window motors, both went then had to change the motors. Then all the in car dials went including the horn and the radio, simple off and on fixed this. Then the gear box.....

With such low mileage, I wonder if the heat really is the problem?

All this being said, I am totally in the hands of Jap Blue who could be telling me anything to get a 10k bill through the door

 

[2into1]

Doesn't help, but for clarity, your 2006 gearbox will be a Tiptronic not a DSG. Nick the shop owner may be able to help. I think he just had his done @Everything VW California

 

[BerndRos]

Beware of that VW garage in Faro, they are total rip off merchants.

In 2010 I found myself in Faro needing a first service on my Cali, an oil and filter change only. They knew they had me by the wotsits, charged me 400 Euro, yes that's correct. Oil was over 50 euro a litre, no amount of protestations from me would get them to reduce the bill.

Beware...!!!!!

 

[Jordan L]

I also think they are crooks, they changed the oil on the gear box, 300, this new sensor for what they said to me was DSG another 600, now this new gearbox they are quoting a further 8keur.... something is wrong right?

Thanks for the heads up

 

[Jordan L]

Does anyone have any contacts at VW themselves? These guys need to be exposed

 

[Jordan L]

I am also not too up to speed (forgive pun) with these gearboxes. It has a tiptronic mode and a sports mode. Why would these guys say DSG if it's not? MOre criminality! If its Tiptronic, it's likely much cheaper?

 

[andyinluton]

With the list you've given of things that have gone wrong, I would be looking at the alternator, sounds like too high a voltage and you are frying the electrics.

 

[Jordan L]

Hmm, I had solar panels fitted last year from an official VW garage in NL, could be something to do with it?

Essentially the gear box wont go into 1st gear but it will go into reverse...

 

[Deskman]

My gearbox stopped working altogether last year (2006 T5 174HP) on the second day of our trip to Norway - still in Germany. The gearbox can only be replaced by a new or refurbished one - a garage is not able to disassemble a gearbox. It is an expensive exchange. € 4675 ex VAT and ex labour for an original VW refurbished gearbox and it took 4 days.
If you can't find a trustworthy dealer call the ANWB/insurance and let them help you out.

I chose to have it fixed in Germany to keep on track for the next 4 weeks. Back home I learned that this price was quite reasonable.

 

[Jordan L]

The plot thickens, thanks Deskman! So this garage is telling porkies, I wonder what part they ordered for the gearbox and tried to fit then!?

They have been telling me it's DSG for weeks...

 

[Deskman]

Wééks??

Yours is definitely not a DSG since that was introduced in the updated T5 with a 2 liter engine.

Mine was ordered after a thorough examination of the VIM code and a check if the model was the right one for my engine. (09K300036BX if that is of any help...)

 

[bvddobb]

Perhaps for € 8.000,- + they will change your Tiptronic for a refurbished DSG... (don't think so...). After having serviced your Tiptronic for nearly € 1.000,-... They may then resell that as refurbished for again € 5.000,- ... You gotta admire them for their business model and pezzaz!!

I think you need to contact ANWB and, sad as it is, have your Cali transported back and repaired decently over here. Depending on your insurance package you may get a replacement car for the duration of your holiday (doubt it will be a Cali...).

You may also try and call Camper Centrum Nederland on their 24/7 holiday emergency hotline, for some serious advice: +31 6 40 47 55 12. You don't need to have a Cali from them or be a regular customer to call them. Afterwards you may decide to bring your Cali business there... They're good! (not cheap, though).

 

[Deskman]

I followed the same route: Called the ANWB to have me towed away, have the garage check on the gearbox, get information from a regular VW-dealer in my hometown, check CC Amersfoort and decided to get on with our holiday after 5 days in a insurance paid rental car and hotel. A replacement car should be a 'same class' car. Didn't ask but I presume it's a compact campervan...

 

[briwy]

At that rate it would be cheaper to get it transpsorted back and get the people who did Nick's at a fraction of that price

 

[Jordan L]

Thanks guys CC Nederland it where I always take the van, they are great - this is who fitted the solar panels, indeed not cheap.
Luckily I had some insurance and it's now being picked up and towed to CC Nederland in Amersfoort, likely will be there within 10 days.
Also lucky is my folks live near Faro and are going into the garage tomorrow to see what exactly they have done (or haven't) - which parts they tried to fit to which gearbox etc. etc. - Fingers crossed they haven't made it worst than it was, I would be keen to know if they can refurbish my gearbox and, if it can't be dismantled, how they go about doing that!
The people in this wonderful garage in Faro (Jap Blue) kept saying it's DSG and has many many sensors, so it's a problem with one of the sensors, they ordered and tried to fit.. seems very unlikely they even tried to fit it afer reading the above.
Great advice here, thanks again.

 

[Deskman]

Refurbishing an automatic gearbox is for specialists only. There is no garage or dealer that is handling gearbox repairs themselves.
If you buy a 'new' one, the price is for a trade-in gearbox, so they get the defect one in return for the refurbished. If they just ordered a new gearbox the price can be about 8000 indeed...


(we kunnen bijna over op Nederlands hier...)

 

[Jordan L]

Yes indeed - Dutch arm

 

[Deskman]

Curious how the story continues...


Verzonden vanaf mijn iPhone met Tapatalk

 

[soulstyledevon]

Curious how the story continues...


Verzonden vanaf mijn iPhone met Tapatalk

Yeah, me to.
I would have hired a vehicle trailer, drove down and picked it up and brought the bugger home