VW Golf MK7 - Sticking accelerator and dodgy washer jets
Discussion
Olas said:
many DBW throttle pedals have a slight delay or 'buffer' built in to help the drive feel smoother.
use VagCom/RossTech/Carly to turn the delay off.
I did some "testing" this morning.use VagCom/RossTech/Carly to turn the delay off.
Took my foot off the gas completely in 3rd gear, the car drove itself (as if on Cruise Control) up a fairly steep hill. I was expecting the car to stall at any minute but it didn't.
I depressed the clutch and the rev counter went from around 1000 rpm to 1500 for a brief moment then returned to 1000.
I then found a flat straight road with virtually no traffic, changed up to 4th gear and about 23 mph, took my foot off the gas, revs steady at about 1200 rpm, the car went under its own power for about 600 yards (to remove the built up momentum argument) until I reached a junction and had to break.
The car never increases speed rapidly just a mile at a time. I never feel unsafe but something isn't right.
When I have my foot completely off the gas, should the rev counter show zero, or some reading (it's usually 1000 rpm) ?
The car is in for the windscreen washer jet on Wednesday March 11th so I will get them to look at that this issue as well.
The car is a 6 speed manual.
Initial Dave suggests putting your foot under the pedal and lifting it up next time you experience the ‘runaway’.
Do this to determine where the problem lies and we will have a better idea.
Disconnect supply tube from washer jet and spray into a glass - is the liquid full of gravel or goo or other s
te?
Do this to determine where the problem lies and we will have a better idea.
Disconnect supply tube from washer jet and spray into a glass - is the liquid full of gravel or goo or other s
te?Magpie1862 said:
I did some "testing" this morning.
Took my foot off the gas completely in 3rd gear, the car drove itself (as if on Cruise Control) up a fairly steep hill. I was expecting the car to stall at any minute but it didn't.
I depressed the clutch and the rev counter went from around 1000 rpm to 1500 for a brief moment then returned to 1000.
Is that just not normal when you are effectively idling the engine in gear??? Took my foot off the gas completely in 3rd gear, the car drove itself (as if on Cruise Control) up a fairly steep hill. I was expecting the car to stall at any minute but it didn't.
I depressed the clutch and the rev counter went from around 1000 rpm to 1500 for a brief moment then returned to 1000.
xjay1337 said:
Why should they?!
That's not how the aftercare works... maybe if you have a Rolls Royce.
I know people who've had it with Audis, I'd expect it with any car still under warranty if it had an issue with how the engine was running, especially one that meant the car might potentially go faster than the driver was asking it to. As a a dealer I would at least have checked it while the car was already in for, of all things, washer jet cleaning, but then as a customer I'd have insisted they check that while I was getting my washer jets cleaned. Unless of course they've already checked it..That's not how the aftercare works... maybe if you have a Rolls Royce.
For the OP, normally the engine has an "idle" speed it will aim for when you lift off the pedal and de-clutch, this is probably around 800rpm when fully warm but 1000 or more when cold. To get down to this speed the ECU will stop supplying fuel to the engine and will then maintain the speed by controlling the fuel supply. Petrol engines use a valve to control air flow, diesels mostly just adjust the amount of fuel.
If you're really insistent on not just letting the dealer sort it (it's under warranty right?) then as Dave said, try to force the pedal up. Although I think on a golf it's floor mounted so maybe harder to hook your foot under. Maybe just take it to the dealer? It's gotta be under warranty.. honestly I don't even know why you're trying to diagnose this yourself or asking on the internet.
Edited by scarble on Friday 6th March 22:15
scarble said:
I know people who've had it with Audis, I'd expect it with any car still under warranty if it had an issue with how the engine was running, especially one that meant the car might potentially go faster than the driver was asking it to.
You'd expect them to come and collect the car an hour away?It can't be that bad as the OP is driving the car around.
If anything is wrong I would imagine it's the clutch switch however, if OP could put a video up of his dash cluster with commentary as that could help diagnose.
Then again it can't be that bad as OP has not been proactive in getting it resolved
But it's pretty normal in gear the engine goes to around 1000rpm and the car will pull along effectively at idle with no throttle input.
I can drive the car safely as the brakes still work, and the car does not suddenly increase in speed rapidly.
I thought it might be the Adaptive Cruise Control after reading the manual, but made sure that was turned off.
Not sure why I am perceived as not being proactive, I have asked for comments/suggestions on here to get a feel for what it might be prior to taking it the main dealer this coming Wednesday.
That's a 60 mile round trip, I am supposed to be at work and my wife can't drive at the moment as she is post cancer operation.
I will let you know what the dealer has to say about both the washer jets and the accelerator/speed issue.
I thought it might be the Adaptive Cruise Control after reading the manual, but made sure that was turned off.
Not sure why I am perceived as not being proactive, I have asked for comments/suggestions on here to get a feel for what it might be prior to taking it the main dealer this coming Wednesday.
That's a 60 mile round trip, I am supposed to be at work and my wife can't drive at the moment as she is post cancer operation.
I will let you know what the dealer has to say about both the washer jets and the accelerator/speed issue.
Here is the dealer summary:
Sticking accelerator - "If the revs are too low the car pick revs up to avoid stalling vehicle."
So the car driving itself and picking up speed is normal apparently.
Windscreen washer jets - "washer jets blocked, unblocked and tested"
It was a combination of external debris and non VW screen wash, so not covered under warranty.
If I continue to use non VW screenwash, no warranty claims will be met.
Been driving 40 years inc. VWs, and Audis, never had blocked washer jets before and never ever used manufacturers screen wash.
No warranty will cover external forces.
Therefore, do I continue with Halfords, Car Plan etc screen wash and take my chances, or make the extra time/effort to get VW Audi stuff and be covered (providing there is no external debris in there)
We then had a chat about non VW parts and non VW dealer servicing.
Cost of unblocking a tube - £70. £144 an hour labour rates.
Sticking accelerator - "If the revs are too low the car pick revs up to avoid stalling vehicle."
So the car driving itself and picking up speed is normal apparently.
Windscreen washer jets - "washer jets blocked, unblocked and tested"
It was a combination of external debris and non VW screen wash, so not covered under warranty.
If I continue to use non VW screenwash, no warranty claims will be met.
Been driving 40 years inc. VWs, and Audis, never had blocked washer jets before and never ever used manufacturers screen wash.
No warranty will cover external forces.
Therefore, do I continue with Halfords, Car Plan etc screen wash and take my chances, or make the extra time/effort to get VW Audi stuff and be covered (providing there is no external debris in there)
We then had a chat about non VW parts and non VW dealer servicing.
Cost of unblocking a tube - £70. £144 an hour labour rates.
Magpie1862 said:
Here is the dealer summary:
Sticking accelerator - "If the revs are too low the car pick revs up to avoid stalling vehicle."
So the car driving itself and picking up speed is normal apparently.
Windscreen washer jets - "washer jets blocked, unblocked and tested"
It was a combination of external debris and non VW screen wash, so not covered under warranty.
If I continue to use non VW screenwash, no warranty claims will be met.
Been driving 40 years inc. VWs, and Audis, never had blocked washer jets before and never ever used manufacturers screen wash.
No warranty will cover external forces.
Therefore, do I continue with Halfords, Car Plan etc screen wash and take my chances, or make the extra time/effort to get VW Audi stuff and be covered (providing there is no external debris in there)
We then had a chat about non VW parts and non VW dealer servicing.
Cost of unblocking a tube - £70. £144 an hour labour rates.
I did specifically ask you , what revs / speed were you doing.Sticking accelerator - "If the revs are too low the car pick revs up to avoid stalling vehicle."
So the car driving itself and picking up speed is normal apparently.
Windscreen washer jets - "washer jets blocked, unblocked and tested"
It was a combination of external debris and non VW screen wash, so not covered under warranty.
If I continue to use non VW screenwash, no warranty claims will be met.
Been driving 40 years inc. VWs, and Audis, never had blocked washer jets before and never ever used manufacturers screen wash.
No warranty will cover external forces.
Therefore, do I continue with Halfords, Car Plan etc screen wash and take my chances, or make the extra time/effort to get VW Audi stuff and be covered (providing there is no external debris in there)
We then had a chat about non VW parts and non VW dealer servicing.
Cost of unblocking a tube - £70. £144 an hour labour rates.
It sounds like you are driving the vehicle in a gear too high for your road speed. You should not be labouring the engine under say 1200rpm above 4th gear.
Can you video the car doing this?
Just to test the theory re VW screen wash, I have just ordered some online.
My "dilemma" now is whether to continue using the VW dealer or use the specialist I have found ?
The latter has Master Technicians, only use genuine VW parts and update the actual VW service history online thereby maintaining the VW warranty.
VW were very good at trying to steer me away from that option - as expected.
Whilst ever the car is under VW warranty, would you stick with dealer or try specialist ?
I still have a doubt over warranty claims if I use a specialist, regardless of the cost saving.
My "dilemma" now is whether to continue using the VW dealer or use the specialist I have found ?
The latter has Master Technicians, only use genuine VW parts and update the actual VW service history online thereby maintaining the VW warranty.
VW were very good at trying to steer me away from that option - as expected.
Whilst ever the car is under VW warranty, would you stick with dealer or try specialist ?
I still have a doubt over warranty claims if I use a specialist, regardless of the cost saving.
If someone was an ex master tech it would make no difference to me, we had one, they were quicker than the others when it came to what they knew best (the manufacturer they trained with) - cambelts, clutches etc but for general fault finding on a range of cars a good mechanic could fault find and fix things quicker.
What you need is a good dealer, the problem with modern/new cars is it takes 4 or 5 years for these to filter outside of the main dealer network, by which time most of the issues that develop with a new car are resolved, its only as they get older that things like EGR, DPF, Injectors, timing chains start to find the way into the outside world.
To be honest the issues you have are more user error, the washer jets just need blowing out with an airline, use the correct screen wash and if it still plays up buy new jets, we see it on a daily basis where cars fail the MOT on screen wash and you have to remove the pump and wash the bottle out because of the screen wash sludging up.
The engine accelerating seems normal from what you describe, if it was accelerating at higher engine rpm's then I would be concerned but all thats happening from what you describe is that the car is in too low of a gear. If you start the car and let it tick over no doubt it will sit around 700rpm, now put it in first let the clutch out and i would guess the engine will pull along in first around 1000rpm, Do it it second and i bet it sits a bit higher up the rev range. It will be down to the gearing
What you need is a good dealer, the problem with modern/new cars is it takes 4 or 5 years for these to filter outside of the main dealer network, by which time most of the issues that develop with a new car are resolved, its only as they get older that things like EGR, DPF, Injectors, timing chains start to find the way into the outside world.
To be honest the issues you have are more user error, the washer jets just need blowing out with an airline, use the correct screen wash and if it still plays up buy new jets, we see it on a daily basis where cars fail the MOT on screen wash and you have to remove the pump and wash the bottle out because of the screen wash sludging up.
The engine accelerating seems normal from what you describe, if it was accelerating at higher engine rpm's then I would be concerned but all thats happening from what you describe is that the car is in too low of a gear. If you start the car and let it tick over no doubt it will sit around 700rpm, now put it in first let the clutch out and i would guess the engine will pull along in first around 1000rpm, Do it it second and i bet it sits a bit higher up the rev range. It will be down to the gearing
Magpie1862 said:
My "dilemma" now is whether to continue using the VW dealer or use the specialist I have found ?
The latter has Master Technicians, only use genuine VW parts and update the actual VW service history online thereby maintaining the VW warranty.
VW were very good at trying to steer me away from that option - as expected.
Whilst ever the car is under VW warranty, would you stick with dealer or try specialist ?
I still have a doubt over warranty claims if I use a specialist, regardless of the cost saving.
If you plan to keep the car for the forseeable future it doesn't make much sense to go down the "specialist" route during the initial warranty period. What you have to remember is that if you p*** of to an independant for your regular servicing & then turn up a a franchised dealership for warranty work only, that you may not get the same level of service at all - you will get what you would be due within the terms of the warranty, but absolutley nothing else. The cost differences between dealer & independed servicing over the initial warranty period shouldn't be huge.The latter has Master Technicians, only use genuine VW parts and update the actual VW service history online thereby maintaining the VW warranty.
VW were very good at trying to steer me away from that option - as expected.
Whilst ever the car is under VW warranty, would you stick with dealer or try specialist ?
I still have a doubt over warranty claims if I use a specialist, regardless of the cost saving.
Did you purchase the car new, approved used or from an independent?
My Golf has a manufacturers warranty until October 2021.
If I still have it then (likely) I tend to extend the warranty for 1 more year then get a nearly new car (12 months old to reduce the depreciation hit).
Only main dealers can carry out warranty claim work, is that right ?
A works' colleague has suggested a main dealer that he uses for company car VW, which has always found to provide good customer service and only done the work needed.
All dealers seem to send you that video showing what will need doing in 6 months time and the cost.
I never have it done straight away unless it's a safety issue. I don't compromise on that.
Looks like this other main dealer is going to get an opportunity.
If I still have it then (likely) I tend to extend the warranty for 1 more year then get a nearly new car (12 months old to reduce the depreciation hit).
Only main dealers can carry out warranty claim work, is that right ?
A works' colleague has suggested a main dealer that he uses for company car VW, which has always found to provide good customer service and only done the work needed.
All dealers seem to send you that video showing what will need doing in 6 months time and the cost.
I never have it done straight away unless it's a safety issue. I don't compromise on that.
Looks like this other main dealer is going to get an opportunity.
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