Questions about engine fault- workshop! message

[ellectrastar]

Hi,

I have a 2009 VW Passat Highline estate, 2.0 tdi, 140bhp.

Last Friday I had a message come up saying "engine fault- workshop!", and a flashing yellow glow plug. The car went into limp home mode so reduced power but it didn't stall or shut down and I didn't lose control of it. I got to my destination ok, shut the engine off and restarted and message and flashing had both gone. When I drove it home there wasn't a problem. I asked my local garage who had a quick look and drive of it and said it seemed ok but that they couldn't do diagnostics on it if the message had gone (even though I thought a record of it was stored internally).

Anyway, today it happened again. Luckily on my way home so I could pull into the garage for a diagnostic. They didn't give me the codes but said from what they could see online it could be the coolant pump or related to the fuel injectors??

They referred me to a specialist garage, not main dealer, who have said they can run diagnostic, providing it happens again so it'll be in the memory, but sounds like fuel problem and could cost a grand. Which is not ideal for a vehicle just over four years old at all.

I have read about manufacturing faults with the injectors, could this be the issue with my vehicle, or was it older models? Would it be better to approach the VW main dealer about this first?

I realise I need to get a firm result first of what the problem is, but wondered if anyone had any ideas.

[Guest 2]

Get a full scan with VCDS.

Imo your garage isn't very good if they don't know the fault is still stored in memory even though the dash message is no longer visable.

Have a look here VWAF User Location Map - VCDS - Google Maps for someone near you with VCDS.

[ellectrastar]

Thanks for this- no one near me though!

The local garage is good for general repairs but think they veer away from anything too technical like engine stuff, hence why they referred me to another more specialised one. They were looking results up online to see what other people had to have done so that says it all really!

The one they referred me to said the fault would need to happen again to show as it clears once diagnostic run on it so if it doesn't will have to rebook. Just hate the thought of having to spend a fortune on a pretty new vehicle. Had an old R-reg Passat prior to this one and ran it into the ground with almost no problems which is why I went for same make and model again.

[RichardSEL]

Thanks for this- no one near me though!
(snip)
The one they referred me to said the fault would need to happen again to show as it clears once diagnostic run on it so if it doesn't will have to rebook.

Nope Logged faults stay being reported until manually cleared. If the fault's still there after that then it'll be reported again

Just hate the thought of having to spend a fortune on a pretty new vehicle.

You won't

Had an old R-reg Passat prior to this one and ran it into the ground with almost no problems which is why I went for same make and model again.

Know the feeling, mine (and my father's) was a J reg snub nosed MkIII -- 160k, solid, 'till it "went on fire" -- then had a B5.5 manual for a year but started a job needing commuting in London rush-hour so couldn't stand manual changes. Then went for my current Tiptronic B6. But petrol so avoiding most of the design faults TDi varients have

If you can't get a VCDS Autoscan then a main agent will use their VAS equipment. But seems main agents are charging one hour +VAT even though, according to my indie, it only takes ½ hour. Mebe worth searching to see whether there's any VCDS-fitted VAG indies close by? Or look for Skoda or Seat agents?

[martin1810]

Hi,

I have a 2009 VW Passat Highline estate, 2.0 tdi, 140bhp.

Last Friday I had a message come up saying "engine fault- workshop!", and a flashing yellow glow plug. The car went into limp home mode so reduced power but it didn't stall or shut down and I didn't lose control of it. I got to my destination ok, shut the engine off and restarted and message and flashing had both gone. When I drove it home there wasn't a problem. I asked my local garage who had a quick look and drive of it and said it seemed ok but that they couldn't do diagnostics on it if the message had gone (even though I thought a record of it was stored internally).

Anyway, today it happened again. Luckily on my way home so I could pull into the garage for a diagnostic. They didn't give me the codes but said from what they could see online it could be the coolant pump or related to the fuel injectors??

They referred me to a specialist garage, not main dealer, who have said they can run diagnostic, providing it happens again so it'll be in the memory, but sounds like fuel problem and could cost a grand. Which is not ideal for a vehicle just over four years old at all.

I have read about manufacturing faults with the injectors, could this be the issue with my vehicle, or was it older models? Would it be better to approach the VW main dealer about this first?

I realise I need to get a firm result first of what the problem is, but wondered if anyone had any ideas.

You need to tell us which engine. If it is common rail you may be developing a faulty turbo actuator. This is common and won't always show in scans because boost/limp faults are not always stored and can be reset when the ignition is cycled.

[ellectrastar]

How would I find out the engine type? Is there a code within the engine number or elsewhere in the handbook?

The fault has gone off again today but on stopping and restarting the car the message and flashing coil both disappear. I've found somewhere that will do a cheaper diagnostic and is closer to home. They said as well that the fault would need to have happened since the last diagnostic to be registered on the computer. So hoping something comes up as if it needs to be done when the fault is actually happening it's going to be impossible! Only luck that it did it on the way home yesterday.

The car has only done 77,000 miles so would hope nothing mega-expensive has broken already. I don't feel like it's driving right- like I have to stay in gear longer before changing up to get to speed. Just wish it was more specific with its error messages so I knew whether to worry or not!

[stevegrass777]

If it's gone into limp mode a fault code will be stored until it is deleted with a scan tool/vcds.
It's probably just overboost .

[martin1810]

How would I find out the engine type? Is there a code within the engine number or elsewhere in the handbook?

The fault has gone off again today but on stopping and restarting the car the message and flashing coil both disappear. I've found somewhere that will do a cheaper diagnostic and is closer to home. They said as well that the fault would need to have happened since the last diagnostic to be registered on the computer. So hoping something comes up as if it needs to be done when the fault is actually happening it's going to be impossible! Only luck that it did it on the way home yesterday.

The car has only done 77,000 miles so would hope nothing mega-expensive has broken already. I don't feel like it's driving right- like I have to stay in gear longer before changing up to get to speed. Just wish it was more specific with its error messages so I knew whether to worry or not!

if it goes in to limp mode and then resets when you cycle the ignition, it is probably a turbo fault. Don't waste money on a code read until the the light stays on and won't clear.
Engine code is on the sticker next to spare wheel. 3 or 4 letters.

[martin1810]

If it's gone into limp mode a fault code will be stored until it is deleted with a scan tool/vcds.
It's probably just overboost .

This is not correct if the boost returns when the ignition is cycled. In this case a code is often not stored until the fault happens often enough or long enough.

[RichardSEL]

Engine code is on the sticker next to spare wheel. 3 or 4 letters.

Same sticker is on inside cover of your service book