# Downshifting 2013 Volkswagen Passat

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/downshifting-2013-volkswagen-passat/119195>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** volkswagen, passat\
**Created:** [June 14, 2018, 1:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/downshifting-2013-volkswagen-passat/119195 "2018-06-14T01:01:14Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![MikeMinton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MikeMinton](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeMinton)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 1:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/downshifting-2013-volkswagen-passat/119195/1 "2018-06-14T01:01:15Z")

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2013 VW Passatt 3.6 liter. Transmission started downshifting on its on with wrench light on panel. When I stop car, turn off engine and restart, car drives ok for a while then downshifts again. Whats the problem.

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**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 10:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/downshifting-2013-volkswagen-passat/119195/2 "2018-06-14T10:57:07Z")

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You will need to have it diagnosed. The car’s onboard computer controls the transmission. The computer (PCM) is probably at fault. The wrench light indicates a problem.

A power-train control module, abbreviated PCM, is an automotive component, a control unit, used on motor vehicles. It is generally a combined control unit, consisting of the engine control unit (ECU) and the transmission control unit (TCU).