ESP diagnosis on Golf Mk5 Tdi
Discussion
Hi, just wondering if anyone can offer some advice?
The ESP light came on about a week ago and after doing some research on the internet I discovered that this can have several causes. Car was booked in for a full service at main dealer anyway so I assumed that when they do the usual diagnostic check as part of the service they would also be able to tell me the cause of the ESP light staying on.
However, when I collected the car they said they needed to do a further diagnosis for £50 more. Is this justified or will they have obtained the required info when they did the service and are using this 'extra diagnosis' as a way to make money for doing no extra work? Hope I don't sound too cynical but I don't want to be taken for a ride.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
The ESP light came on about a week ago and after doing some research on the internet I discovered that this can have several causes. Car was booked in for a full service at main dealer anyway so I assumed that when they do the usual diagnostic check as part of the service they would also be able to tell me the cause of the ESP light staying on.
However, when I collected the car they said they needed to do a further diagnosis for £50 more. Is this justified or will they have obtained the required info when they did the service and are using this 'extra diagnosis' as a way to make money for doing no extra work? Hope I don't sound too cynical but I don't want to be taken for a ride.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
VAG1 said:
What extra diagnostics? You plug the computer in and it tells you the fault.
I'm sorry but thats just plain wrong, that really really winds me up when people say that. When you work on cars for a living, and have done so for 12 years on primium brand cars, you can tell me how to diagnose faults. Let me explain a litle.Yes, They should have checked the fault memory when they did the service, (this is normal on VAG cars, but not every manufacturers would do this) You could just ask to see the printout of this and it will list any fault codes stored in the cars various control modules.
However, thats not the full diagnostic procecdure, depending on the code you then do more indept diagnosis to see why the fault was logged. Or follow the correct test plan on the diag computer for that fault entry to locate the cause.
For example, lets say the fault stored was brake pedal switch open circuit. This could be a faulty switch, poorly adjusted switch, blown fuse or faulty wiring to either the switch or the stop lamps. Checking the fault memory would point you in the correct direction, but wont actually tell you what is wrong with the car. You could just read the fault entry, say are its a brake pedal switch then, fit one and still have the same fault because you didnt test the sytem properly.
Admitadly, somtimes is actually quicker to fit a new/known good item and retest than carrying out further diag, depending on the system inquestion.
In short, fault diagnosis is not usually just as simple as reading the fault memory. They are not just trying to rip you off, but they could be a bit more helpful and at least tell you what is stored in the memory.
Tame Technician said:
VAG1 said:
What extra diagnostics? You plug the computer in and it tells you the fault.
I'm sorry but thats just plain wrong, that really really winds me up when people say that. When you work on cars for a living, and have done so for 12 years on primium brand cars, you can tell me how to diagnose faults. Let me explain a litle.Yes, They should have checked the fault memory when they did the service, (this is normal on VAG cars, but not every manufacturers would do this) You could just ask to see the printout of this and it will list any fault codes stored in the cars various control modules.
However, thats not the full diagnostic procecdure, depending on the code you then do more indept diagnosis to see why the fault was logged. Or follow the correct test plan on the diag computer for that fault entry to locate the cause.
For example, lets say the fault stored was brake pedal switch open circuit. This could be a faulty switch, poorly adjusted switch, blown fuse or faulty wiring to either the switch or the stop lamps. Checking the fault memory would point you in the correct direction, but wont actually tell you what is wrong with the car. You could just read the fault entry, say are its a brake pedal switch then, fit one and still have the same fault because you didnt test the sytem properly.
Admitadly, somtimes is actually quicker to fit a new/known good item and retest than carrying out further diag, depending on the system inquestion.
In short, fault diagnosis is not usually just as simple as reading the fault memory. They are not just trying to rip you off, but they could be a bit more helpful and at least tell you what is stored in the memory.
Thanks for the extra clarification TameTechnician. I understand from what you're saying that the error codes produced during a service may require further analysis to pinpoint exact problem. However, would the code they have from the service be enough for them to give me some idea of the most likely cause and therefore the cost. Reason I ask is that I've read that fixing the ESP problem can be well over £1,000. If that's the case then I wouldn't have it fixed. However, if this extra diagnosis may reveal that the problem can be sorted for a much smaller amount of money then it is worth paying the £50.
jasonpvaughan said:
would the code they have from the service be enough for them to give me some idea of the most likely cause and therefore the cost.
Most probably yes, but it does depend what the code is. Somtimes there are very obsure and there is no way to tell what your getting into, but thats not very common with ESP/ABS.I would call the service department and make exactly the point you did here, If its likely to be £1000's I'm not willing to through another £50 away. Ask them directly what faults were stored in the memory, they should have read the fault memory when they did the service. IF they say they didnt check the fault memory, then ask why not, its on the ELSA service sheet to do so.
I can tell you for almost certain its the ABS Control Unit without doubt. This has become a rather common problem and starting to have an impact on the trade values of the MK5 Golf. £1500 to fix, sometimes VW-UK/dealers will contribute towards under goodwill but seems to be random. Very lenghty thread on Honest John about it worth reading - http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t...
EDIT: Fault Code for the above is “01435 Brake Pressure Sensor 1 (G201)”.
EDIT: Fault Code for the above is “01435 Brake Pressure Sensor 1 (G201)”.
Edited by V on Sunday 21st March 23:27
Thanks for all the advice. Just spoke to dealer and it was like pulling teeth to get the actual code out of them and it was only when I said G201 did he say 'yeah, that's it'. He also said thee were some other intermittent faults showing relating to the glow plugs and low voltage bits??? Anyway, I asked what VW were doing about the ESP problem as it was common fault and apparently they've reduced the cost of the control unit down to around £600 but unlikely to offer any contribution on cars over 5 years old. However, he said they could have a go at getting a contribution from VW if I have the further diagnostic done. My plan now is to talk to someone I know who works at VW head office in Milton Keynes to see if he has any inside info on this problem and how to get VW to contribute. Failing that I'll just leave the ESP as it is as certainly not going to pay approx. £1,000 to get it fixed.
Thanks once again for all advice and helpful suggestions.
Thanks once again for all advice and helpful suggestions.
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