Help with Electrical fault

[Dieseljuice]

Thanks Crasher. VIN sent via message.

[Crasher]

03L 906 018 5K0 Vehicle Intelligent Part, £1653.60 inc VAT, has to be ordered from Germany, takes around two weeks, paid for up front, cannot be canceled or returned under any circumstances.

[Dieseljuice]

Thanks Crasher.....is there a programming charge on top of that? Is it dealer only or can any indy (The one I used only has VAGCOM so cannot program it I expect) who has access to dealer software. I know another indy that does.

As mentioned in a message to you, the ECU has been tested by a company (I am asking indy who they used) and it passed though I do not know exactly what and how they test it.

So its back on the car and I have it back but still with the intermittent fault.

Do I bite the bullet and get the ECU changed or ? (sort of decided its what I need to do but if it still has the fault afterwards it will hurt)

[Crasher]

The ECU has to be matched to the car, there are other methods than ODIS but with a new ECU that would be daft. Some independents like ourselves have ODIS (when the dongle isn’t broken ��) but GEKO security clearance is also required which isn’t easy. I don’t trust ANY ECU testing companies… none. Yes it is an expensive gamble that would be very painful if it failed but when all other avenues have been exhausted what else can you do? BUT I don’t think you have exhausted all avenues as with the fault codes stored it has not been on ODIS under Guided Fault Finding and there is no way I would fit a new ECU without carrying out GFF.

[Dieseljuice]

Thanks again for your help Crasher.

Last Year I did try a local indy who has ODIS (so they say) but I was dissapointed in what they did and what they charged me for a few hours work. All they could say was they thought it was the EGR but it passed all tests and they could not find any faults.
I did return as they asked me to if fault came back and not to turn the engine off if in limp mode.....but they were not interested.

I know another indy who have ODIS I believe (its an on line system they mentioned?) and I called them about a new ECU and they can do it. I will ask about ODIS Guided Fault Finding. Or should I use the VW dealer...would they be better informed or does ODIS give the user access to the same fault finding database?

Thanks again.

[Crasher]

We all get into that situation with modern cars, we the complexity and cost of parts, firing the parts cannon is a scary prospect. If the dealer system won’t tell you what is wrong, the problem is new to you, there are no relevant TPI’s and (by the sound of it) you are either lazy or unhelpful then it is a recipe for disaster. The last button I always press is new ECU but I have seen this ref sensor a and b error a few times now and when allowed to press the button, the ECU has fixed it BUT we always warn people it is a gamble.

[Dieseljuice]

Thanks Crasher. I'm confused about comment "If the dealer system won’t tell you what is wrong, the problem is new to you, there are no relevant TPI’s and (by the sound of it) you are either lazy or unhelpful then it is a recipe for disaster."

Of all the investigations I have tried and 2 indy's have tried your diagnosis makes the most sense and I respect your expertise and thank you for your help.

I've accepted I need a new ecu.

Usually I find indy expert more willing to discuss the issue and I offer what I have been able to find out in case it helps them. I accept dealer will not tell me what the issue is as they do not know without looking at the car. I did consider booking car into VW and called in to speak to them about the issue. They were friendly and happy to discuss and cited they would normally change EGR first then other sensors and cited it is always the last thing they change that fixes it - of course. I could not afford to go down an open cheque book route.

One indy suggested replacing EGR only because it was never changed and a common fault. But with your advice here I believed the EGR to be ok.
A second indy thought it was the egr but further testing he was convinced it was the ecu....until it passed bench testing by some third party.

Thanks again.

Kind Regards

[Crasher]

As a general point covering the professional motor trade, say if you are a pro and it has exhausted all the known protocols, you are stuffed or like the people you went to who sounded either lazy or stupid you can’t/won’t/don’t want to help your customers. As someone not in this trade you have exhausted every possible avenue, imagine how a pro feels, either annoyed, out of their depth or dos’t know/care. This is why you will find many slink away because they don’t want to commit to what could be an expensive job threatening error if a person you even just gave advice to comes back at you wagging a finger, it is why I take great care on here.

[Dieseljuice]

I realise the car problem I have as its intermittent is a real pain to diagnose hence my posts here and seeking help everywhere I can before I spend big £££££.

I am not wanting to catch anyone out, point the finger, or seek advice or help from anyone or garage who would not like to offer advice or investigate it given all the facts known.
I appreciate and always ask if they wish to look at the problem. I'd rather they say no if its not for them and I'm happy with that, no judgement. There are jobs I would not take on and I'd explain why.

I realise such a fault is difficult (maybe impossible) to diagnose with certainty.

I cant say the first indy was not doing their best and I am really appreciative of the second indy who did a really good job investigated everything only to be thrown by the ecu passing a third party testing.

All I can say is with your help/experience/advice and also my thanks to the last indy I used and and knowing the fault is intermittent I accept the ecu is faulty and maybe only passed the test on a good day as the fault is intermittent.

I am happy (ok not to have to pay ££££) to be where I am today, pretty sure a replacement ecu (and not shelling out for an egr too) will fix a great car.

So my thanks to you Crasher and everyone for their help and advice identifying a real pain of a fault and its remedy.

My fingers are crossed a replacement ecu will fix the car as I do need to fix it.

[Dieseljuice]

Update: replacement ecu fixed it.