NoX Sensor on VW Golf 1.6 FSi 2004 Mk5
Discussion
Hi Everyone,
Mrs Hythan has a VW Golf Mk5 1.6 FSi, 2004.
Exhaust emissions light came on shortly after buying it, about 4 months ago. The following faults came up when run through diagnostics;
18321 - Brake pressure sensor 1 short circuit ground
17443 - NOx Sensor implausible signal
17441 - NOx Sensor signal too small
00943 - Electrical heating side mirror driver side
02385 - Rain Light recognition sensor low voltage
01134 - Alarm horn no connection
Now, all these faults were cleared, and the light extinguished. Apart from the car feeling pretty slow, there are no mechanical symptoms noticed at all.
The exhaust emissions light came on again about two weeks ago, so I took it straight down to our local garage. The diagnostics were run again and this time only one fault came back;
17443 - NOx Sensor implausible signal
The cost of this part, is £326.38!! And looking online, it appears that VW have a very common problem with this sensor. There is a vast amount of people, who all own this particular model or a couple of others, who all have the same issue and are forking out hundreds of pounds for new Nox sensors.
I have told my garage to go ahead and change the sensor, as I want to keep this car for as long as possible. It suits our needs perfectly as a second car so I am maintaining it accordingly.
So after lots of digging around online, it appears that there is some sort of ECU update that can be carried out by VW to avoid this sensor failing in the future, or at least limit the chance of it. Some owners online are stating that they have had to change this one sensor three times in just six years. There is clearly a fault with them.
I have called VW Customer Service and have been told they would look into it and ring back. I am aware that I'm not going to get any gesture of good will from them, and also aware that they haven't admitted any fault with this sensor despite the overwhelming evidence.
I'm just wanting to take the time now, to do as much research as possible, and see if there is anything I can do to avoid this happening again.
If the car is going to remain prone to this repeating itself as many as three times in six years, then I'll have to sell it on. Something I don't want to do as the rest of the car is perfect for what we need.
Any advice/experience with this would be hugely appreciated, in particular regarding the ECU Upgrade or if it even exists.
Many Thanks
Hythan
Mrs Hythan has a VW Golf Mk5 1.6 FSi, 2004.
Exhaust emissions light came on shortly after buying it, about 4 months ago. The following faults came up when run through diagnostics;
18321 - Brake pressure sensor 1 short circuit ground
17443 - NOx Sensor implausible signal
17441 - NOx Sensor signal too small
00943 - Electrical heating side mirror driver side
02385 - Rain Light recognition sensor low voltage
01134 - Alarm horn no connection
Now, all these faults were cleared, and the light extinguished. Apart from the car feeling pretty slow, there are no mechanical symptoms noticed at all.
The exhaust emissions light came on again about two weeks ago, so I took it straight down to our local garage. The diagnostics were run again and this time only one fault came back;
17443 - NOx Sensor implausible signal
The cost of this part, is £326.38!! And looking online, it appears that VW have a very common problem with this sensor. There is a vast amount of people, who all own this particular model or a couple of others, who all have the same issue and are forking out hundreds of pounds for new Nox sensors.
I have told my garage to go ahead and change the sensor, as I want to keep this car for as long as possible. It suits our needs perfectly as a second car so I am maintaining it accordingly.
So after lots of digging around online, it appears that there is some sort of ECU update that can be carried out by VW to avoid this sensor failing in the future, or at least limit the chance of it. Some owners online are stating that they have had to change this one sensor three times in just six years. There is clearly a fault with them.
I have called VW Customer Service and have been told they would look into it and ring back. I am aware that I'm not going to get any gesture of good will from them, and also aware that they haven't admitted any fault with this sensor despite the overwhelming evidence.
I'm just wanting to take the time now, to do as much research as possible, and see if there is anything I can do to avoid this happening again.
If the car is going to remain prone to this repeating itself as many as three times in six years, then I'll have to sell it on. Something I don't want to do as the rest of the car is perfect for what we need.
Any advice/experience with this would be hugely appreciated, in particular regarding the ECU Upgrade or if it even exists.
Many Thanks
Hythan
Without knowing engine codes and the like it's very difficult to tell exactly which one you'll need, but GSF Car Parts have three Bosch made (and one "premium") Lambda sensors for the 2004-5 Mk5 1.6 FSI. They range from £72 to £108.
http://www.gsfcarparts.com/930vg1160
http://www.gsfcarparts.com/930vg1180
http://www.gsfcarparts.com/930vg1200
http://www.gsfcarparts.com/930vg1220
Registration plate might narrow that down, if not engine code almost definitely will.
http://www.gsfcarparts.com/930vg1160
http://www.gsfcarparts.com/930vg1180
http://www.gsfcarparts.com/930vg1200
http://www.gsfcarparts.com/930vg1220
Registration plate might narrow that down, if not engine code almost definitely will.
Hi ManOpener
Thanks for the reply, this is the sensor that has been found to be defective, and has now been changed http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Volkswagen_Golf_...
The car is now running a lot better. Smooth acceleration and noticeably more power than before, so I'm happy that the work has been carried out. Albeit at a lot of expense for this sensor.
My question now is, is there any way to stop this from happening again as there are reports online of people having to change as many as 3 of these sensors in 6 years! I have read bits and pieces about an ECU 'Update', but can't find anything concrete on the net. Apparently this update goes along way to avoid this sensor failing again. I have called VW Customer Service but am still waiting for a call back, if I ever get one.
I called autotechnic, a VW and Audi Specialist but they said they didn't know of an update.
Hence my asking on here. I think I am just going to have to see how the car goes as if it comes up again, consider my options then.
Thanks for the reply, this is the sensor that has been found to be defective, and has now been changed http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Volkswagen_Golf_...
The car is now running a lot better. Smooth acceleration and noticeably more power than before, so I'm happy that the work has been carried out. Albeit at a lot of expense for this sensor.
My question now is, is there any way to stop this from happening again as there are reports online of people having to change as many as 3 of these sensors in 6 years! I have read bits and pieces about an ECU 'Update', but can't find anything concrete on the net. Apparently this update goes along way to avoid this sensor failing again. I have called VW Customer Service but am still waiting for a call back, if I ever get one.
I called autotechnic, a VW and Audi Specialist but they said they didn't know of an update.
Hence my asking on here. I think I am just going to have to see how the car goes as if it comes up again, consider my options then.
I'm not aware of any software updates for this engine. Unfortunately it's the nature of the beast when it comes to reliability. Early sensors suffered but they have become more reliable, it's certainly been a while since I've changed one. I would stick with genuine sensors, quality fuel helps also.
Thanks Guys.
An update to this;
I had a call back from a technician at VW. He told me that the early sensors on these cars were prone to allow humidity to build up inside the sensors own ECU box and fry the electrics. After 2004, these sensors were modified to stop this from happening, or at least vastly reduce the risk of it happening. VW did not do a recall on these but dealt with them on a individual basis as and when they arrived.
NGK currently make these sensors for euro car parts, and for VW themselves, and are not the same as the 2004 sensor and therefore not at the same risk of failing. There is also a 1 year warranty on the part.
I called euro car parts and have been told that there don't see anywhere near the numbers of returns or warranty claims that were around in 2004 and the only warranty claims made this year were due to the floods submerging the sensor entirely which of course is unfortunate but not really the fault of the sensor or its design.
So, in short, I, and anyone else with this particular model of Golf on an 04/54/05 plate, should be able to have confidence in the sensor now as long as its replacement isn't another manufactured from 2004. Euro Car Parts have NGK made sensors made literally this year, and so are the modified example.
The car itself is running a lot better. Acceleration is smoother, a bit more poke, and a nicer feel to the engine. It has clearly benefitted from having the sensor replaced.
Anyway, I thought I'd share all that incase anyone else came on and searched for the same issue. If i do encounter problems, I'll update here.
Thanks for the advice given, much appreciated!
An update to this;
I had a call back from a technician at VW. He told me that the early sensors on these cars were prone to allow humidity to build up inside the sensors own ECU box and fry the electrics. After 2004, these sensors were modified to stop this from happening, or at least vastly reduce the risk of it happening. VW did not do a recall on these but dealt with them on a individual basis as and when they arrived.
NGK currently make these sensors for euro car parts, and for VW themselves, and are not the same as the 2004 sensor and therefore not at the same risk of failing. There is also a 1 year warranty on the part.
I called euro car parts and have been told that there don't see anywhere near the numbers of returns or warranty claims that were around in 2004 and the only warranty claims made this year were due to the floods submerging the sensor entirely which of course is unfortunate but not really the fault of the sensor or its design.
So, in short, I, and anyone else with this particular model of Golf on an 04/54/05 plate, should be able to have confidence in the sensor now as long as its replacement isn't another manufactured from 2004. Euro Car Parts have NGK made sensors made literally this year, and so are the modified example.
The car itself is running a lot better. Acceleration is smoother, a bit more poke, and a nicer feel to the engine. It has clearly benefitted from having the sensor replaced.
Anyway, I thought I'd share all that incase anyone else came on and searched for the same issue. If i do encounter problems, I'll update here.
Thanks for the advice given, much appreciated!
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