Audi A3 2.0 TDI 170 DPF problem - VCDS scan included

[paul b]

Hi all, long time no post from me, hope you're all well!

Got a friend who has a 57 plate A3 2.0 TDI 170 with a DPF issue. Initially, the car was in limp mode, EML on and glow plug light flashing. I scanned with VCDS which revealed the following:

Chassis Type: 8P (1K0)
Scan: 01 03 08 09 15 16 17 19 25 42 44 46 47 52 56 62 72

VIN: WAUZZZ8P98A083661 Mileage: 241230km/149893miles

01-Engine -- Status: Malfunction 0010
03-ABS Brakes -- Status: OK 0000
04-Steering Angle -- Status: OK 0000
08-Auto HVAC -- Status: OK 0000
09-Cent. Elect. -- Status: Malfunction 0010
15-Airbags -- Status: OK 0000
16-Steering wheel -- Status: OK 0000
17-Instruments -- Status: OK 0000
19-CAN Gateway -- Status: OK 0000
25-Immobilizer -- Status: OK 0000
42-Door Elect, Driver -- Status: OK 0000
44-Steering Assist -- Status: OK 0000
46-Central Conv. -- Status: OK 0000
47-Sound System -- Status: Malfunction 0010
52-Door Elect, Pass. -- Status: Malfunction 0010
56-Radio -- Status: Malfunction 0010
62-Door, Rear Left -- Status: OK 0000
72-Door, Rear Right -- Status: OK 0000

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 01: Engine Labels: 03G-906-018-BMN.clb
Part No SW: 03G 906 018 DN HW: 03G 906 018 DN
Component: R4 2.0l PPD1.2 1247
Revision: --H42--- Serial number: AUX7Z0G9FN1109
Coding: 0000072
Shop #: WSC 06314 000 00000
VCID: 74E7081C17C4A9BE80B-8021

1 Fault Found:
008194 - Particulate Trap Bank 1
P2002 - 006 - Efficiency Below Threshold - MIL ON
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 11100001
Fault Priority: 5
Fault Frequency: 33
Reset counter: 40
Mileage: 241149 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2013.12.04
Time: 14:09:11

Freeze Frame:
RPM: 1408 /min
Torque: 8.0 Nm
Speed: 0.0 km/h
(no units): 2.0
Lambda: 203.0 %
Pressure: 0.0 mbar
Time: 3434.5 s

Readiness: N/A

----------------------------------

I followed online advice and fitted a new genuine G450 exhaust pressure sensor and adapted it to the car. I then initiated a forced regeneration with VCDS and took the car for a run.

The ash volume percentage in the MVB began decreasing from 202% to 18% before I had to stop due to the laptop battery going flat. While driving, the car came out of limp mode, glow plug light went out, but the EML remained on.

Got home, turned off, went back out later. The car was back in limp mode, glow plug light and EML on once again.

The fault code in the above scan remains, it is the only fault code recorded.

If anyone wants any further scans/logs, just say.

Anyone got any ideas? Would greatly appreciate help.

Regards
Paul

[paul b]

Update

went out and did another forced regen... The soot loading had gone back up from 18% to ~200% after a few days running in limp mode. Is that acceptable?

Anyhow, a forced regen down to ~1% brought the car out of limp mode, the glow plug light went off at circa 30% and the DPF light went out below 10%. MIL went out after I cleared the fault code. Now none remain. Car seems to drive well.

i checked mvb 68 and found an ash content of 68.73... Does this mean the DPF is nearing the end of its life?

Going to rig it up to VCDS again in about a week, will see how it goes in the meantime.

Paul