ECU failure

[Pezza]

Not sure if I posted the problem with my glow plug warning light before? Anyway, intermittently my car (140 TDi Sport 06 96k) won't start (turns over but does not fire) glow plug warning light flashes and advises garage trip. Leave for ten minutes it then starts but the glow plug light flashes continously. Leave overnight problem dissapears. Finally got round to taking it to The ******** and they advised ECU failure about £1k to replace . Good news covered by warranty .

They also suggested replacing the brake fluid every 2 years? I declined
and about £100 to fix an airbag fault caused by connection under the seat whis seems to be a common problem .

Glad I bought that warranty and for once a good news story re warranty companies.

Also been driving a Vauxhall Insignia for the last few days - a nice car - but looking forward to getting the passat back

[shark_90]

ECU failure is very rare and I'd be very surprised if it is that and not repairable.

Also, brake fluid change at 2 years is definitely required - brake fluid absorbs water and gets less efficient from the moment it is put in. You really, really should have it changed as advised.

[Quatrelle]

Ask them to test the brake fluid.

Mine's three years old, and at the last service it was tested and found to be ok - it will however be changed next service.

[Crasher]

I have just replaced the ECU on an Altea with an EDC16 ECU which is what I think yours will have. These are developing a reputation for failure where they loose an earth feed internally which causes an ECU relay triggering and glow plug control problem. They cannot be tested or repaired, you have to use your judgement and hope you are right.

[patomlin76]

i can help you with at least one problem - the airbag connection under the seat... this also happened to me when the airbag warning light came on, and I found the connection under the passenger seat to have been disconnected. With the battery off, I reconnected the two wires (a simple clip), and all was well, though the airbag warning light was still on (meaning the whole system is disabled). A quick trip to an independent, and a free VAG-COM clear code later, and all was well.

Moral of the story? Don't trust the dealer - get an independent to look at it - my independent said they would also have reconnected it for me, free of charge - they do like to prove the unnecessarily high dealership costs are just ripping us off...

ps: at the same time they also tried to tell me the fault would only be cured by a whole new passenger airbag, cost £450... never told me about a loose connection under the seat!!

[gamichea]

Also, brake fluid change at 2 years is definitely required - brake fluid absorbs water and gets less efficient from the moment it is put in. You really, really should have it changed as advised.

ABS pump failure due to internal rusting caused by water absorbed by brake fluid is not unknown. Replacement is expensive and there will be no contribution from VW if the fluid has not been changed according to schedule.

I notice the schedule now seems to be after first three years and then every two years rather than every two years as it has been for as long as I can remember.

[Pezza]

Thanks to All.

I'll get the brake fluid done by the Indy I use - rather he had the money.

The warranty company insisted I go to a national auto centre first. they said there was nothing they could do - according to their techie the RAM in the ECU was 'knackered' and it needed to go into VW. So I'm fairly confident it has gone and I'm sure the warranty company must be sure to (just glad I'm not paying for it).

Wish I'd posted earlier as the airbag fault was fixed today DOH!

Pezz

[Crasher]

I haven’t noticed the schedule change to three years, I will look into that.

[gamichea]

I haven’t noticed the schedule change to three years, I will look into that.

Crasher, FYI I got that from the Service Schedule booklet for my CC which is Art.-Nr.:102.5R3.PKW.20; Print status 19.08.2009, Englisch 11.2009. The booklet applies to most current VW passenger vehicles.

Other things have changed as well. I particularly noticed cam belt change interval for four cylinder TDI PD engines is up to 100k. The same interval is specified for all four cylinder TDI engines with factory fitted DPF. However there is also a 140k interval for 1.2, 1.6 & 2.0 litre common rail engines. I understand all 2.0 litre common rail engines have a factory fitted DPF so 100k as above seems appropriate?

Also no mention at all of any time limit for cam belt changes.

[muggysnr]

Hi Pezza, which warranty company do you have your policy with? I've had both problems that you have mentioned - airbag fixed under warranty, but ECU was out of warranty and cost £900 to fix. Did not take out extended warranty as feedback was they don't cover electrical faults, which your policy does.