newbie with warning lights please help

[tim7900]

hi everyone.

i have recently bought a 2002 model audi 1.8T 163.. and whilst i love the car to bits, today it seems to have thrown up a few warning symbols??

one is a yellow circle with a yellow triangle in the middle, the other an EPC.. and to top it off a yellow engine light too... the car went into limp mode so i took it straight home to investigate. if i turn off the engine and back on again the EPC and yellow circle dissapears, then when the gas pedal is pressed it comes back on again...and stays on..

i dissconnected the battery for a couple of hours and connected it again..and the engine light has vanished now but the EPC and yellow circle remain..

i have read many many threads on this column which have been so useful, but i'm baffled on how to get the vag.com codes??? i'm reluctant to get ripped off by my local audi dealer just for having a diagnostic tool plugged in.

i was wondering if someone not too far from me could possibly help me out?? or does anyone know of what it could possibly be??

my car has full audi history with 65k

i live on the wirral merseyside.

many thanks

tim

[kesselrun]

How 'recently' did you get the car?

Is there no scope for taking it back to where you got it and getting them to sort it out?

The yellow circle (it's actually an arrow) with the triangle in the middle is related to the traction control/ESP/ABS systems so you'd be best to get it checked out sooner rather than later.

Other than that I'm afraid I can't offer any more info, being a bit noob/thick myself!

Best of luck getting it sorted though...:D

[onzarob]

Get the code read by a good independent or buy a reader yourself, they are very cheap these. I got one for my laptop and one of the handheld ones.

They do pay for themselves really quickly...epecially when a dealer will charge an hours labour just to read them!!

[tim7900]

thanks for the quick response and advice guys

i picked the car up from brighouse car auctions last week as it was an audi main dealer trade in. so unfortunately i have no comeback.:mad:

i have seen those handheld device things you mention rob.. it seems you can get them for $29 from ebay and the feedback from them sounds good too..

just my luck for this to happen.. the car has been fantastic for the week i have owned it...then disaster. i hope its nothing major:confused:

[onzarob]

click on the link in my signature the one Carl (Eshrules) does is a pro version, the ones on ebay are the basic one.

[tim7900]

thanks rob

i keep on trying to access the link but it tells me the page cannot be recognised??

am i doing something wrong??

[onzarob]

am i doing something wrong??

Sorry my mistake try it now;)

[RickT]

Hi there,

Traction control light and EPC is normally relating to a MAF issue.

i have seen this before on a few on the B6 models .

One other thing is if the traction control light says on... ensure both rear break lights are working.. ie the bulbs have not gone as that also triggers the traction control light to say on as a warning..

im not too more from Brighouse.. im sure one of over Manchester / liverpool members with VAG-COM will be able to read the codes for you..

RickT

[tim7900]

thanks i've cheked my rear lights and they seem fine. so looks like it may be the maf?? i definately need to have it checked asap

i clicked on the link for the handheld diagnostic tool but at £100 it was a little pricey for me. i understand it will pay for itself in time but my funds are low at the minute.

i have two options

i either purchase a handheld basic off ebay like this

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Code-Reader-OBD2-KKL-OBD-2-VW-Audi-diagnostic-VAG-U280_W0QQitemZ300142750592QQihZ020QQcategoryZ30921 QQcmdZViewItem

or purchase a cable and download vag.com... however i'm lost as to what version i would require as there seems different types to choose from? i am worried about having probs using it..

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/USB-OBD2-KKL-Interface-OBD-2-VW-Audi-diagnostic-VAG-new_W0QQitemZ300142750060QQihZ020QQcategoryZ30921Q QcmdZViewItem

if anyone is local in either liverpool or manchester with a diagnostic i can travel

regards

tim

[onzarob]

There is a link in the maintenance section on Member Vag-Com locations. Have a look in there. I understand the cost issue. I'm sure someone is Nearby ;)

[tim7900]

well just thought i'd drop a line to tell you all that my car is fixed and running superb... but oh what a nightmare i've had pinpointing the problem...

bought vag.com and cable (shareware version) off ebay and it brougnt up 2 error codes

engine control module ABS ESP front
Accelerator Postion sensor 1/2 implausible signal

after searching the web and speaking to francious off the forum it was most probably the result of my accelerator pedal electrics not working correctly... so i dissmantled the pedal, opened the black electrical box and shock horror, it was full of droplets of water, all over the sensors... tried to dry it out but with no success, the warning lights remained. so i ordered a new pedal off vagparts.

then the next day i got into my car there was a puddle in the footwell of the drivers side. opened my bonnet and there was swimming pool under the battery and all around the brake servo...??? turns out both drains holes had got blocked and the water was overflowing somehow into the car, running down my accellerator pedal and into my footwell... !! which in turn ruined my electrics on my pedal!! thank god i found out then before installing my new pedal..

anyway carpet is all dry now... plus so is underneath the carpet as i'm sure there was another 2 litres of rainwater in the river bed under there. pedal arrived this morning and i fitted it at tea time... absolutley perfect!!! my esp/abs lights dissapeared, got the vag.com to clear the engine light and my car is no longer in limp home mode!!!! in fact it drives a million times better than the car did before i had the problem?? the turbo is noticably louder and the torque is much improved.. the pedal i had must have been on its way out for ages until it gave up the fight and died... so all in all a happy ending..

vag.com software plus cable £15
pedal from vagparts £45

imagine how much it would have cost at the ********??? its not worth thinking about ha...

just thought i'd share my good fortune for anyone who encounters the same problem... happy to help with my vag.com if anyone local.

tim:D 1.8T 163

[paul b]

Ahh, it nice to hear of a happy ending!
Paul