P2711 Unexpected mechanical gear disengagement

Unexpected mechanical gear disengagement

P2711 in short

P2711 means the transmission computer saw the gear disengage when it did not command it, or the shaft speeds do not fit the selected gear. On dual-clutch Volkswagen and Audi cars it points to the clutch, speed sensors or mechatronic unit. Shifts may be erratic, so have it inspected soon.

The transmission computer compares input and output shaft speeds with the gear it selected. If the gear seems to have dropped out on its own, or the speeds disagree, it sets P2711.

On dual-clutch Volkswagen and Audi cars, Ross-Tech lists a worn double clutch, damaged gear shafts, the output speed sensors or the mechatronic unit. Volkswagen and Audi bulletins cover this code on 2009-2012 cars, with a lack of mobility at start-up and a shudder from rest.

PartsAvatar lists fluid, wiring and solenoids for conventional automatics, and TroubleCodes.net mentions one owner whose controller remap fixed a 2010 Audi TTS. Diagnosis needs the maker's scan tool.

Most likely causes

  1. Worn double clutch, damaged gear shafts or mechatronic unit (dual-clutch VW and Audi)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Ross-Tech lists these for the code, and Volkswagen and Audi bulletins cover P2711 on dual-clutch cars.
    What would change this
    Rises on a covered VW or Audi, or if the shift problems are worse from a stop.

  2. Output speed sensors (G501 and G502 on dual-clutch VW and Audi)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Ross-Tech lists the output speed sensors, and the code checks shaft speed against the selected gear.
    What would change this
    Rises if the live speed readings are erratic.

  3. Low or dirty fluid, or wiring faults

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    PartsAvatar lists fluid, the output speed sensor and wiring for this code.
    What would change this
    Rises if the fluid is low or dark, or the harness is damaged.

  4. Transmission controller software

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    One owner reported a controller remap cleared a 2010 Audi TTS, and Volkswagen describes the sequence being stored in the module. We found no repair that names software as the fix.
    What would change this
    Rises only after the hardware checks pass.
    How to test the transmission control module (tcm)

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

  1. Read codes from the engine and transmission modules with a scan tool that supports both, before anything is cleared. On VW and Audi, use a tool that reads the transmission module.

    Low riskTool: scan tool that reads the transmission module

  2. Ask a dealer or search by VIN for a P2711 or implausible shift sequence bulletin.

    Low risk

  3. Check the fluid by the maker's method and note its colour and any debris.

    Use caution

    Warning:Many transmissions are sealed. Do not open the fill plug without the maker's procedure.

  4. Have a shop read the live shaft speeds and the shift adaptation data.

    Best left to a shopTool: manufacturer scan tool

    Warning:Shop test. It needs the maker's measuring blocks and procedures.

Symptoms

  • Check engine light
  • Gear display lit in the cluster
  • Shudder on first acceleration
  • Erratic shifts
  • Car will not move at start-up Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

How to fix

  1. Do not clear the code before the transmission module has been read.

  2. Ask a dealer whether your VIN has an open bulletin. VW and Audi have published them.

Parts and cost context

  • Transmission control module (TCM):Do not replace the module for P2711 unless a test points to it. Ross-Tech points first to the clutch, the speed sensors and the mechatronic unit.

Labor varies by vehicle and shop; get a quote before you approve a repair.

Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuide

On your vehicle

Volkswagen

  • 2009–2012 · CC

    Supported by vehicle data

    Volkswagen bulletin 301301 covers P2711 with an implausible shift sequence stored in the TCM on the CC. The bulletin is on NHTSA, but whether it is still current is not verified, so it is labelled vehicle data rather than confirmed.

  • 2009–2012 · Eos

    Supported by vehicle data

    Volkswagen bulletin 301301 covers P2711 with an implausible shift sequence stored in the TCM on the Eos. The bulletin is on NHTSA, but whether it is still current is not verified, so it is labelled vehicle data rather than confirmed.

  • 2009–2012 · Golf

    Supported by vehicle data

    Volkswagen bulletin 301301 covers P2711 with an implausible shift sequence stored in the TCM on the Golf. The bulletin is on NHTSA, but whether it is still current is not verified, so it is labelled vehicle data rather than confirmed.

  • 2009–2012 · Golf SportWagen

    Supported by vehicle data

    Volkswagen bulletin 301301 covers P2711 with an implausible shift sequence stored in the TCM on the Golf SportWagen. The bulletin is on NHTSA, but whether it is still current is not verified, so it is labelled vehicle data rather than confirmed.

  • 2009–2012 · GTI

    Supported by vehicle data

    Volkswagen bulletin 301301 covers P2711 with an implausible shift sequence stored in the TCM on the GTI. The bulletin is on NHTSA, but whether it is still current is not verified, so it is labelled vehicle data rather than confirmed.

  • 2009–2012 · Jetta

    Supported by vehicle data

    Volkswagen bulletin 301301 covers P2711 with an implausible shift sequence stored in the TCM on the Jetta. The bulletin is on NHTSA, but whether it is still current is not verified, so it is labelled vehicle data rather than confirmed.

  • 2009–2012 · Jetta SportWagen

    Supported by vehicle data

    Volkswagen bulletin 301301 covers P2711 with an implausible shift sequence stored in the TCM on the Jetta SportWagen. The bulletin is on NHTSA, but whether it is still current is not verified, so it is labelled vehicle data rather than confirmed.

  • 2009–2012 · Passat

    Supported by vehicle data

    Volkswagen bulletin 301301 covers P2711 with an implausible shift sequence stored in the TCM on the Passat. The bulletin is on NHTSA, but whether it is still current is not verified, so it is labelled vehicle data rather than confirmed.

  • 301301Status unverified

    P2711 implausible transmission shift sequence stored in the TCM

    2009–2012cc, eos, golf, golf-sportwagen, gti, jetta, jetta-sportwagen, passat · NHTSA 10239839

    Volkswagen covers cars with P2711 and an implausible shift sequence stored in the transmission control module. Related bulletins 301303, 301401 and 301403 cover the same condition. Only the NHTSA flat-file summary was reviewed, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • TB-30-14-01Status unverified

    Implausible shift sequence in the TCM, lack of mobility at start-up

    2009–2012cc, eos, golf, jetta, passat · NHTSA 10055442

    Volkswagen describes an implausible shift sequence stored in the TCM that can cause a lack of mobility at start-up and shifting problems. Only the NHTSA flat-file summary was reviewed, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Audi

  • 2009–2010 · A3

    Supported by vehicle data

    Audi bulletin 2029069 covers a lit gear display and a shudder on first acceleration with a P2711 fault entry on the A3. The bulletin is on NHTSA, but whether it is still current is not verified, so it is labelled vehicle data rather than confirmed.

  • 2009–2010 · TT

    Supported by vehicle data

    Audi bulletin 2029069 covers a lit gear display and a shudder on first acceleration with a P2711 fault entry on the TT. The bulletin is on NHTSA, but whether it is still current is not verified, so it is labelled vehicle data rather than confirmed.

  • 2029069Status unverified

    Gear display lit and shudder on first acceleration, P2711 logged

    2009–2010a3, tt · NHTSA 10210630

    Audi covers 2009-2010 A3 and TT cars with the gear display lit and a shudder on first acceleration from a stop, with a fault entry in the TCM that includes P2711. Only the NHTSA flat-file summary was reviewed, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

No curated relationships for P2711 yet.

All Transmission codes

P2711 questions

What does gear disengagement mean?

The computer saw a gear drop out of engagement, or the shaft speeds no longer fit the gear it chose. It sets P2711 because the transmission did something it did not command.

Is P2711 a Volkswagen DSG problem?

It appears often there. Volkswagen and Audi have bulletins for it on 2009-2012 cars, and Ross-Tech lists the clutch, sensors and mechatronic unit. Other makes use the same code for their own faults.

Sources and review

  1. P2711 OBD Error Code: Unexpected Mechanical Gear Disengagement — PartsAvatar
  2. TB 30-14-01: Implausible transmission shift sequence, DTC P2711 — Volkswagen of America
  3. VAG fault code 19143 / P2711: Unexpected / Implausible Mechanical Gear Disengagement — Ross-Tech Wiki
  4. TSB 30-13-01: DTC P2711 implausible transmission shift sequence in the TCM — Volkswagen of America
  5. TSB 2029069 (Group 34 13 17): Gear display lit, shudder on first acceleration, P2711 logged — Audi of America
  6. P2711 Trouble Code: Unexpected mechanical gear disengagement — TroubleCodes.net
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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