P173F on Volkswagen
Valve 2 Electrical Malfunction in Partial Transmission 1
P173F on Volkswagen vehicles indicates valve 2 electrical malfunction in partial transmission 1. Au7o has documented this code across 1 Volkswagen model — most commonly on Scirocco. P173F is a manufacturer-specific VAG (Volkswagen/Audi/SEAT/Skoda) DSG transmission code, most commonly seen on the DQ381 (0GC) 7-speed wet-clutch gearbox. It indicates an electrical malfunction of hydraulic control valve 2 within the mechatronic unit of partial (sub-)transmission 1, meaning the transmission controller has detected an open, short, or out-of-range electrical fault in that solenoid/valve circuit. It typically corresponds to internal DFCC 10743 and is often accompanied by limp mode, loss of gear selection, harsh or jerky shifts, and a "Gearbox Malfunction" dashboard warning. Typical repair costs on Volkswagen range from $900 to $5,000, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Common Causes of P173F
- •Failed or short-circuited solenoid/pressure-control valve inside the mechatronic unit
- •Faulty mechatronic control module (internal electronics failure, common on DQ381/DQ380)
- •Wiring or connector faults to the mechatronic unit (corrosion, chafing, water ingress)
- •Degraded, contaminated, or low DSG transmission fluid affecting valve operation
- •Internal mechatronic hydraulic blockage or stuck valve
- •Loss of power supply or ground reference to the transmission control unit
P173F on Volkswagen by Model
Volkswagen Scirocco(1 issue)
- 7-speed DSG (DQ200) dry-clutch mechatronic failure and juddering2009-2017
Sciroccos fitted with the 7-speed dry-clutch DSG (DQ200, used behind lower-torque petrol engines) share the well-known mechatronic and clutch-pack weaknesses of the VW Group transmission. The mechatronic valve-body can split at a thin locating wall and lose hydraulic pressure, giving very rough shifts, jerking, hesitation, stalling (often after 2nd gear) and dashboard gearbox warnings. The dry clutch pack also judders, typically in 2nd gear, as the friction material polishes. Honest John records DQ200 failures with quoted repairs up to £5,000. Higher-torque diesels/2.0 TSI use the wet-clutch DQ250, which is more robust but can still hesitate.
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View P173F across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P173F mean on Volkswagen?▼
P173F stands for "Valve 2 Electrical Malfunction in Partial Transmission 1." P173F is a manufacturer-specific VAG (Volkswagen/Audi/SEAT/Skoda) DSG transmission code, most commonly seen on the DQ381 (0GC) 7-speed wet-clutch gearbox. It indicates an electrical malfunction of hydraulic control valve 2 within the mechatronic unit of partial (sub-)transmission 1, meaning the transmission controller has detected an open, short, or out-of-range electrical fault in that solenoid/valve circuit. It typically corresponds to internal DFCC 10743 and is often accompanied by limp mode, loss of gear selection, harsh or jerky shifts, and a "Gearbox Malfunction" dashboard warning. On Volkswagen specifically, this code is documented across 1 model.
What causes P173F on Volkswagen vehicles?▼
Common causes on Volkswagen: Failed or short-circuited solenoid/pressure-control valve inside the mechatronic unit, Faulty mechatronic control module (internal electronics failure, common on DQ381/DQ380), Wiring or connector faults to the mechatronic unit (corrosion, chafing, water ingress), Degraded, contaminated, or low DSG transmission fluid affecting valve operation, Internal mechatronic hydraulic blockage or stuck valve. Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P173F on a Volkswagen?▼
Repair costs on Volkswagen range from $900 to $5,000, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which Volkswagen models have P173F documented?▼
Au7o has documented P173F on 1 Volkswagen model: Scirocco.