[Andrew]

Ok so I had the water pump changed on my 1.8T last week that has only done 20,000 miles. This was due to a plastic impeller that had snapped on the water pump and is a common fault. Despite the low mileage of my car I never asked for a goodwill gesture from the dealers as I wanted it fixed quickly.

This Monday I was driving the car when the abs and asr warning lights came on. I checked the car with vag com and the only fault was:

Control Module Part Number: 1C0 907 379 D

Component and/or Version: ASR FRONT MK60 0103

Software Coding: 0021505

Work Shop Code: WSC 01317

1 Fault Found:

00283 - Front Left ABS Wheel Speed Sensor (G47)

012 - Electrical Fault in Circuit

So as people suggested it needed a new speed sensor. I booked the car in at VW for this morning and last night I did another vagcom check just to make sure and once again I only got the one code as above. The dealer this morning got the exact same single code and that code only. He checked all the wiring with a meter etc. He asked if it would be ok to replace the speed sensor for 50 ish pound for the part plus some labour cost. I said that it would be fine. The technician replaces the sensor takes the car for a test drives and comes back and puts it back on the ramps. It's taking some time so I ask someone at the service desk what is going on. Whilst test driving the car the light had come back on and was told the technician was looking it to it again.

An hour past and still no car ready so I asked again. The technician came back with the service desk worker and told me there was now a new fault and the car needed a new ABS ECU. He also told me they have never seen this fault before. This would be 350 quid plus vat and labour etc plus the cost of the sensor and labour already. So I was looking at 600 quid at least. Needless to say I wasn't happy. I questioned how there was a new code but got no real answers. I asked for them to pay for it or towards it because of the low mileage and seeing as this fault had just seemed to be caused. They rang there head branch but they said no. I complained more, told them to do the work but I will be taking it further. They offered to give me discount on the parts and labour and get VW to contribute but whether this happens is another thing.

I left it with them and I have sought some advice from people who know what they are talking about, and they think that because the technician tested the wiring with a multimeter or such device it is possible the ecu was damaged as they can only handle low voltages. They also reckon that vagcom would not have detected the faulty sensor in the first place if the Ecu had been broke.

I get the feeling VW aren't telling me everything and even if the ECU is damaged through no fault I don't see why VW won't contribute. Sorry for the long posts. Anyone have any ideas? What should I do?

 

[Andrew]

bump

 

[Blue V5]

so sorry to hear this mate. try and find weeloon on here and see what he thinks about the testing method of your ecu.

if someone can verify what you were told about the voltage then you can get them to replace if FOC. i'm glad you brought up the subject of a goodwill gesture however!

i can't believe you've had so many problems lately! don't pack it in!

 

[rfsteel]

If this is the case, you might want to keep an eye on this auction

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=9889&item=4558125732&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

 

[Andrew]

Cheers for that RF but VW are carrying out the work tomorrow. They are definitley giving me discount on parts and labour and I will try and get the most out of them that I can. The dealer is also phoning VW customer services to try and get a good will gesture and I will be phoning CS tomorrow as well just so I know what they have to say. I think they owe something seeing as thats the water pump and abs ecu in one week. Both VW faults. After this I won't be using a dealer again that's for sure.

I can't believe the problems the car is having either Rich, don't worry though I won't be getting rid, I've done too much to the car for that.

 

[Blue V5]

glad to hear it mate, and definately find a good specialist! i think i was very lucky with my find [] bit far for you though []

good luck with VW

 

[Baker21]

Mate, I am sorry that I didn't stumble across this thread before!!

I hads the same problem on my Bora lasy year and the dealers said I needed a new ABS pump and an ECU!! This totaled around ?1500 if I wanted it all brand new!! I obviously told them to stick it and got someone else to have a look at it.

I was told by VW that if I sourced a new ABS pump and had it fitted they would set it up for me for free, I bought a second hand ABS pump off a scrap yeard for around ?90 and had it fitted, took it down to VW and they set it up for me

I STILL THEN HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.

I was fuming with VW as what are the chances of getting another dodgy ABS pump?

I left in a huff and took it to a bloke who specialises in VW's. He had a look at it and suggested that we replaced all the speed wheel sensors. Luckily we make these (I work for Hella) so I got a full set for nothing an had them fitted.

PROBLEM WENT!!!

I rushed straight back to VW and told them the news. I explained that I could have easily paid ?1500 for new parts that I didn't need. The service manager got involved and I had my next 2 services completed for free. I then had various problems with the services and my car was treated badly, I have since never been to VW again!!

VW DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS!!

I strongly suggest that you get all your ABS Speed Wheel sensors replaced and I bet you that the fault will go!!

 

[Andrew]

Hmmm interesting, a mate said they should change all the sensors. I'm waiting for a call off them so we will see if the problem goes. I still don't believe they know what they are on about though and if it's the case that they replace the abs ecu and there is still a problem there is no way I'm paying for it. And there's no way they're getting the money for the speed sensor they replaced yesterday as now they are saying it was the ecu not that. I'm going to have it out with them later thats for sure. I have no confidence in VW at all after this.One cheeky employee asked me if the mileage was genuine because it was so low []

 

[Baker21]

I can tell you now that if these sensors have been on the car from new then they are very difficult ot get out and re-fit new ones. If their is a YTS VW mechanic on the case and he 'bangs' then new ones in you can forget it!!

These are senitive sensors and they have to be fitted properly.

If it is your ABS ECU then I would be very surprised but I am willing to bet that if you replaced all your ABS sensors the problem would be solved!!

 

[Andrew]

I reckon they've diagnosed the problem wrong or damaged something when fitting the new sensor.  They said themselves they have never had a faulty abs ecu so why mine?  Cheers Baker for your advice mate.

 

[Baker21]

I think that your right mate.

Would you believe that VW said the same thing to me 'We have never had an ABS Pump or ABS ECU unit fail'!!

MUPPETS!!

 

[Andrew]

I just had a phone call to say my car is ready and that it was the ECU.  They said they got 160 ish + vat out of VW but I still have to pay just over ?450.  I'm not going to have that, will be speaking to someone when I go and pick it up later.

 

[Baker21]

I seriously don't believe it mate!!

Why all of a sudden with the ECU fail?

I still believe that someone has not fitted the senors correctly.

 

[Andrew]

I don't believe it either, there was no fault code other than for the sensor when I took the car in so why suddenly did it show. 

 

[Baker21]

Well I will be interested to hear your outcome mate, keep us updated.

Ask them to put the original ECU back on and I bet you will have no faults, they have probably been tinkering with the sensors!!

 

[Andrew]

I just got back from picking my car up and at least the car is sorted now. VW payed just under 200 quid towards it and I had to fork out the remaing 458 quid. I asked why I had to pay for both the sensor and ECU and they said that the sensor could have caused the ECU to be damaged. Someone there told me VAGcom could have damaged the abs ECU software but I don't believe that. I still don't understand why this fault code suddenly appeared on the ECU. The technician told me the signal was fine over 21kmph but under that and there was a fault????

The service desk bloke said I didn't know what was wrong with it when it came in, I said I did through vagcom but he didn't seem to understand and he asked me what I was accusing them of.

I''m not at all happy but I have learnt a valuable lesson. Never to take my car to a stealers again, ever.

 

[Baker21]

I am sorry to hear that you have just wasted the best part of ?500 on your motor mate.

I don't believe that your sensor can break your ECU!! My sensor was the cause of my ABS problems and once it was replaced I had no issues with any sensors or my ABS ECU!!

At least it's sorted but it's worth finding a VW specialist IMO, they know what they are doing and they look after your motor.

 

[Andrew]

I told them what I thought and how I found it very hard to believe but they were having none of it and wouldn't even listen.  Thats stealers for you though I guess.  I will definitley be finding myself a VW specialist, I have been recommended one already.