EPC & Engine Management Light On?

[CM94]

Hello all!

Hope you've had a good weekend!

I'll try to keep it short.

1.8tsi Leon MK3 17 plate. 36k miles. Fully serviced - occasionally driven with some zest like once or twice a month if I'm lucky.

About a month ago EPC light came on, turned car off then back on and it had cleared - never occurred again until yesterday.

Initially I had just the EPC light, I repeated the car on/off process and it cleared again, but then came on again perhaps ten minutes of driving. Initially I didn't notice a loss of power etc

Third time light came on started to notice a loss of power- it feels reminiscent to limp mode on. This is where the proverbial s*** hit the fan and the engine management light came on. Note at this point all I had was the engine management light - no epc light.

Foolish move but I needed to get home so drove home. Engine management light now permanently on, I gave it a bit of juice up a hill wondering if it was throttle related (be it position etc) so pressed it to the floor, lack of power meant the pull felt about half effort but it still feels boosty Initially. EPC light returned almost immediately. So now I have EPC and engine management light.

I can hear the turbo dumping as I get the tshhhh sound but yeah I'm assuming this doesn't mean it's necessarily working as intended.


Any updated info on these issues especially on MK3?
I'm trying to find my dang OBD reader but possibly lost, any recommendations for one that won't break the bank but could perhaps clear codes?

 

[mty12345]

It's pretty much impossible to say without codes. Could be something related to throttle position, but given that you have a check engine light as well as EPC, i'd say it's more likely a MAF issue , or some other sensor the engine uses as part of it's EPC calculations.

 

[CM94]

It's pretty much impossible to say without codes. Could be something related to throttle position, but given that you have a check engine light as well as EPC, i'd say it's more likely a MAF issue , or some other sensor the engine uses as part of it's EPC calculations.

I've ordered a OBD2 reader that should arrive today so fingers crossed it can point me in some direction, is there a site that's good for referencing codes?

 

[CM94]

It's pretty much impossible to say without codes. Could be something related to throttle position, but given that you have a check engine light as well as EPC, i'd say it's more likely a MAF issue , or some other sensor the engine uses as part of it's EPC calculations.

Just in case you're curious or perhaps have knowledge.

Code reads P00AF "supercharger/turbocharger boost control 'A' module performance"

 

[mty12345]

I've ordered a OBD2 reader that should arrive today so fingers crossed it can point me in some direction, is there a site that's good for referencing codes?

Yes mate, a place call ross tech is the best place to reference the codes, they manufacture VCDS which is almost dealer level software for all VW group cars. Here is what it says for your code. http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/P00AF/000175

As you can see it's pretty helpful at pointing you in the right direction. I don't have any experience with these engines, i'm a mk1 guy, but i'm sure somebody here has experience with this issue on the MK3. As the link says though, most likely that its the mechanism that adjusts the turbo geometry that is either worn or sticking due to carbon. That is a common problem with all variable geometry turbos

 

[CM94]

Yes mate, a place call ross tech is the best place to reference the codes, they manufacture VCDS which is almost dealer level software for all VW group cars. Here is what it says for your code. http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/P00AF/000175

As you can see it's pretty helpful at pointing you in the right direction. I don't have any experience with these engines, i'm a mk1 guy, but i'm sure somebody here has experience with this issue on the MK3. As the link says though, most likely that its the mechanism that adjusts the turbo geometry that is either worn or sticking due to carbon. That is a common problem with all variable geometry turbos

Thanks for the help! I've read some people having luck soaking the 'wastegate' or actuator in WD40 has fixed the issue so for now I'm keeping fingers crossed!

 

[tiltonwintermere55]

Hello all!

Hope you've had a good weekend!

I'll try to keep it short.

1.8tsi Leon MK3 17 plate. 36k miles. Fully serviced - occasionally driven with some zest like once or twice a month if I'm lucky.

About a month ago EPC light came on, turned car off then back on and it had cleared - never occurred again until yesterday.

Initially I had just the EPC light, I repeated the car on/off process and it cleared again, but then came on again perhaps ten minutes of driving. Initially I didn't notice a loss of power etc

Third time light came on started to notice a loss of power- it feels reminiscent to limp mode on. This is where the proverbial s*** hit the fan and the engine management light came on. Note at this point all I had was the engine management light - no epc light.

Foolish move but I needed to get home so drove home. Engine management light now permanently on, I gave it a bit of juice up a hill wondering if it was throttle related (be it position etc) so pressed it to the floor, lack of power meant the pull felt about half effort but it still feels boosty Initially. EPC light returned almost immediately. So now I have EPC and engine management light.

I can hear the turbo dumping as I get the tshhhh sound but yeah I'm assuming this doesn't mean it's necessarily working as intended.


Any updated info on these issues especially on MK3?
I'm trying to find my dang OBD reader but possibly lost, any recommendations delusional relationship for one that won't break the bank but could perhaps clear codes?

As you can see, it's quite helpful in pointing you in the right direction. Although I don't have any experience with these engines—I'm more familiar with the MK1—I’m sure someone here has dealt with this issue on the MK3. According to the link, it's most likely the mechanism that adjusts the turbo geometry is either worn out or sticking due to carbon buildup. This is a common problem with all variable geometry turbos.