My VW Passat dilemma - try to fix or scrap
Discussion
Hi, I am looking for some friendly advice and (if really lucky) an idea as to what the issue could be. I live in North Hampshire.
I have a 03 VW Passat SE 20v (petrol). I bought it new and it has served me well for all that time and is just shy of 200,000 miles.
The car died on me on the M27 Eastbound on 5th November. It would turn over but not fire. The RAC had a 3rd party recovery company to tow it home (it was not assessed at the time). I had a couple of local mechanics agree to have a look but neither turned up.
A third (recommended freelance) mechanic did come round. He plugged into the ECU but said he couldn't access it or get any meaningful feedback from the Engine Management Unit. He agreed to collect it the following week and do more analysis, but he never showed or called back after I left two messages on his phone.
On 23 November, I had it towed to a local (reputable) garage who made an original assessment and confirmed the ECU/EMU would not communicate. They suggested sending it to a specialist ECU Test and Repair outfit for assessment and potential repair (I had to pay £105 just to have the assessment). They came back to me last week to say that the firm couldn't find a fault, but they put a common/known fault right anyway and sent it back.
It was fitted yesterday, but the same problem occurred. They said they now needed to start some extensive analysis involving looking for wiring faults etc. They advised I could spend a lot before they may determine the actual fault. I asked them to hold off while I had a think. I have now spent over £220ish and no further near finding out what the problem is or if it can be fixed.
Basically, it's been a great car for the duration with only one major problem when the cam belt snapped (on 132,000 miles), but it was put right and it continued to run great until now.
Does anyone know of any issues like this and a quick potential diagnosis / test that could be checked out?
I don't want to spend £100s and not find the fault or find that it is going to cost further £100s if it's a major job. I could end up spending a further £800+ on a car that has 200k on the clock - I would rather put that towards a replacement car.
I am no mechanic, so ANY help with ideas, thoughts or advice is very welcome - thanks!
I have a 03 VW Passat SE 20v (petrol). I bought it new and it has served me well for all that time and is just shy of 200,000 miles.
The car died on me on the M27 Eastbound on 5th November. It would turn over but not fire. The RAC had a 3rd party recovery company to tow it home (it was not assessed at the time). I had a couple of local mechanics agree to have a look but neither turned up.
A third (recommended freelance) mechanic did come round. He plugged into the ECU but said he couldn't access it or get any meaningful feedback from the Engine Management Unit. He agreed to collect it the following week and do more analysis, but he never showed or called back after I left two messages on his phone.
On 23 November, I had it towed to a local (reputable) garage who made an original assessment and confirmed the ECU/EMU would not communicate. They suggested sending it to a specialist ECU Test and Repair outfit for assessment and potential repair (I had to pay £105 just to have the assessment). They came back to me last week to say that the firm couldn't find a fault, but they put a common/known fault right anyway and sent it back.
It was fitted yesterday, but the same problem occurred. They said they now needed to start some extensive analysis involving looking for wiring faults etc. They advised I could spend a lot before they may determine the actual fault. I asked them to hold off while I had a think. I have now spent over £220ish and no further near finding out what the problem is or if it can be fixed.
Basically, it's been a great car for the duration with only one major problem when the cam belt snapped (on 132,000 miles), but it was put right and it continued to run great until now.
Does anyone know of any issues like this and a quick potential diagnosis / test that could be checked out?
I don't want to spend £100s and not find the fault or find that it is going to cost further £100s if it's a major job. I could end up spending a further £800+ on a car that has 200k on the clock - I would rather put that towards a replacement car.
I am no mechanic, so ANY help with ideas, thoughts or advice is very welcome - thanks!
It is probably something really simple but the issue is finding it.
To me it sounds like a power supply issue to the engine management system which would produce both of your issues; not running / starting and the comms errors with the ECU.
You have nothing to loose by going to Maplins, buying a multimeter and checking that power is getting to the ECU. Sounds complicated but a competent mechanic should be able to do it in less than half an hour. You yourself including doing a bit of internet research should be able to do the same in a few hours. The trouble these days is "if computer say no" nobody knows what to do.
A few pointers;
Start at the power supply i.e. battery / fuses / relay(s) and work outwards towards the ECU.
Look into the '109' or main power relay online and test power to / from it with your new multimeter.
There are hidden fuses under the footwell panel as well as the power distribution bar and relays.
If you have any appetite to get stuck in I can guide you more.
Also when scanned for faults, did anyone say that comms to other modules were not present? Such as the ABS, Heating and A/C, central convenience systems? If comms were / could be established with those systems it narrows it down a fair bit more and I'd be confident in saying power to ECU.
To me it sounds like a power supply issue to the engine management system which would produce both of your issues; not running / starting and the comms errors with the ECU.
You have nothing to loose by going to Maplins, buying a multimeter and checking that power is getting to the ECU. Sounds complicated but a competent mechanic should be able to do it in less than half an hour. You yourself including doing a bit of internet research should be able to do the same in a few hours. The trouble these days is "if computer say no" nobody knows what to do.
A few pointers;
Start at the power supply i.e. battery / fuses / relay(s) and work outwards towards the ECU.
Look into the '109' or main power relay online and test power to / from it with your new multimeter.
There are hidden fuses under the footwell panel as well as the power distribution bar and relays.
If you have any appetite to get stuck in I can guide you more.
Also when scanned for faults, did anyone say that comms to other modules were not present? Such as the ABS, Heating and A/C, central convenience systems? If comms were / could be established with those systems it narrows it down a fair bit more and I'd be confident in saying power to ECU.
Hi Colin,
Many thanks for the quick response - I didn't pick it up until checking back on the site - assumed I would receive an email regarding a response.
That's great insight and feedback. I am going to take on board what you say and look into this more. The initial problem is that the car is still at the garage and I don't know how they will react if I suggest these actions, but I guess they can only say no.
Many thanks for the quick response - I didn't pick it up until checking back on the site - assumed I would receive an email regarding a response.
That's great insight and feedback. I am going to take on board what you say and look into this more. The initial problem is that the car is still at the garage and I don't know how they will react if I suggest these actions, but I guess they can only say no.
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