DTC codes on 2002 1.4 Polo

[arachnoid]

The engine check light, and EPC light come on, eventually clear, then reappear.

Today I connected a DTC code reader and found the following:

17750 P1342 Ignition Control Power Output Stage 1 Short to B+

18043 P1635 Databus Powertrain missing message from air condition control

Generall, the engine runs OK, but I did hear a slight pinking sometimes on acceleration. The plugs were recently replaced (DTC's preceeded that), and the coil packs were changed not so long ago.

Can anyone interpret the codes, i.e what is likely the problem(s)?

Thanks

[Crasher]

What is the engine code?

[arachnoid]

Its a BBY engine (auto)

[Crasher]

What code reader are you using? According to my info a 2002 9N1 Polo BBY cannot generate code 17750, that only applies to cars with a single four output coil pack, not cars with four separate coil packs.

Does your car have Climatic or Climatronic A/C?

[arachnoid]

It has Climatronic.

The code reader is a CAN VW/AUDI U281 Memoscan unit I got off eBay.

[Crasher]

I don’t think it is interpreting the code correctly, you car does have four individual coil packs so it can’t generate

17750 Ignition outlet 1 Short circuit to positive

According to the VAG system Guided Fault Finding, 17750 (hex code 4556) does not apply to that car.

[arachnoid]

I reset the ECU by disconnecting the battery, thinking this would also reset and relearn the fuel map.

Anyway,what I've noticed is when the codes are cleared, I can drive 100 miles on the motorway and not throw any codes. When I come off the motorway and decelerate/slow down at a junction, it throws the code. Similarly, on a short journey, I set off (with no codes showing), and before long, often after braking/decelerating the EPC and Engine Check Light appear.

I connected the DTC reader, and saw the following:

16407 - Bank 2: Camshaft B (Exhaust): Position Actuator Malfunction

I'm new to VW, so I have no idea about this. But I'm wondering could it be related to earthing? Or the firmware in the ECU? Or could it be an actuator, or something influencing the actuator signal (though this is a 4 cyl engine with 1 bank only)?

EDIT The DTC code structure implies its related to computer and output signals:

Px6xx computer and output signals

[arachnoid]

Found something potentially useful on Google - it was in Dutch, so I used Goole language tools to translate:

16407 P0023 Bank 2: B camshaft (exhaust) Position Actuator Malfunction

Additional information on the error codes. Intermittent


Possible causes:

* Probably a software issue
* Wiring and / or connections
* Camshaft position control mechanism
* Motor control module

Possible solutions:

* Check with the dealer or a software update
* Check / repair wiring and / or connections
* Check / repair the camshaft position control mechanism
CHEC * / replace engine control module

Certainly, its an intermittent (but often occuring fault)

Is the camshaft position control a likely candidate? Is that an easy swap?

I've also heard that cambelt tensioners can wear prematurely - could that be a possibility?

[arachnoid]

More info trawled from Google:

Synopsis TPI 2001317 / 7
Polo, Lupo: check engine light bulb and recorded error 17550 or 16407 Polo, Lupo: check engine light bulb and recorded error 17550 or 16407
Publication date: 05.08.2008 Date: 05.08.2008

Description of fault: Description of fault:
Steady light check engine, memory control unit engine for one of the following errors: Steady light check engine, memory control unit engine for one of the following errors:
17550 P1142 Accounting load, the output of the lower limit 17550 P1142 Accounting load, the output of the lower boundary
16407 P0023 Row 2, variable valve timing, exhaust valves, the disruption of 16407 P0023 Row 2, variable valve timing, exhaust valves, malfunctioning

Decision: Decision:
In the case of a complaint to upgrade software engine control unit. In the case of a complaint to upgrade software engine control unit. If the engine control unit is installed on new urgency, for further troubleshooting should take advantage wingman troubleshooting. If the engine control unit is installed on new urgency, for further troubleshooting should take advantage wingman troubleshooting.

The search order is given in the section of the driven troubleshooting. The search order is given in the section of the driven troubleshooting. Service companies in Germany, a position connected to a network tester can update the software online. Service companies in Germany, a position connected to a network tester can update the software online. To solve these problems, all users tester VAS 5051 with brand CD V06.44.00 received from the firm Bertelsmann CD Adaptation ECU versions 001-2003, article 001.5001.22.00. </span>To solve these problems, all users tester VAS 5051 with brand CD V06.44.00 received from the firm Bertelsmann CD Adaptation ECU versions 001-2003, article 001.5001.22.00.


Are these 'Row 2/bank B' signals completely spurious, e.g. due to a software error, and relatively harmless? Or is something else going on here?
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[arachnoid]

Crasher,

WRT your comments that the fault code does not apply to this model, I did find some postings on another site (I think it was relating to a Ibiza) where similar codes were shown - also not related to the model in question.

17750, or P1142, it says, could be related to an air leak (cannot hear anything), or MAF. What do you think? One Jetta user said he changed the MAF, but the problem only went away after he changed the fuel pump (coincidence?).

WRT 16407, I don't lnow

There are plenty of posts on a Website called My VW Lemon with odd problems like this...

I'm thinking to clean the throttle body, check my earth, and other connections, and take fault finding from there.

[Crasher]

I don’t know about Dutch but your code reader is talking double Dutch, the BBY does not have variable cam timing and as it is an inline 4 engine (R4) it only has bank 1, bank 2 is for V engines. With a code reader like the one you have, you are in more danger of wasting time and money than with not having on in the first place.