Whats the EPC light?>

[robthebank]

Hi

My EPC light keeps coming on, but only after the car has had a run somewhere and warmed up. It never comes on when driving but always after I park somewhere, switch off the engine (like stopping at at shop for instance). When the engine is restarted, the EPC light comes on again.

There is no reference to the EPC light in the SEAT manual, (it must be a classified secret which the plebs are not allowed to know!)

Searching the web I get a wonderful array of explanations ranging from Electronic Pedal Control, Emissions Pollution control, Engine protection control, elephant pooh crap etc

1) can someone confirm exactly what EPC stands for and would the cause show up on a VAG COM. I will be code reading later this week as I am waiting for delivery of my fully licenced kit

thanks
Robert

 

[m0rk]

It'll be regarding a sensor in clutch/acc/brake most likely

a VAGCOM scan will show up exactly what's wrong

 

[widdowd]

As mork has said you will need to get the car scanned with vag com. Had this recently with the girlfriends Arosa. Fault showed as brake switch implausable signal.... plus no brake lights so check them too. If that is the fault you are getting you will need to replace the brake pedal switch on the pedal itself. On some models there are two switches just like my girlfriends so I had to replace both as it was still showing fault... Changed both and found that the white plastic support on the pedal had snapped so check that also.

Daz

 

[robthebank]

hi

thanks for these replies. i am waiting for the activation of the full VAG COM software as the initial code scan came up with a weird 16989, P0605 code. the light has since come back on after clearing that code so ill do a scan with the full software and see where it takes me. I'll check out the switches in particular.

thanks for the heads up on the pedal and brake switches (the brake lights do come on)

cheers
rob

 

[MJ]

EPC - electronic programme control, a system used (as already has been mentioned) is a system for measureing and monitoring electronic components such as the pedal position sensors, some engine sensors and other components.

 

[robthebank]

put the vag com on the car and it came up with 16989, P0605, 35 10 - Internal Contr.Module ROM Test Error

I can only think that the ECU or a module is screwed. All the garages seem to want to send the ECU away to test and I dont think I can take it further myself. Anyone have an idea of the cost of a new ECU for the AROSA???

cheers Robert

 

[m0rk]

New ECU's are expensive - have a look over ebay for 2nd hand ones maybe?

 

[robthebank]

New ECU's are expensive - have a look over ebay for 2nd hand ones maybe?

Thanks for your reply.
I have seen a couple on ebay, but won't I still have to take it to the main dealer for it to be coded to my car for the key, immobilisor etc to work?

cheers
Robert

 

[m0rk]

You just need vagcom to do it, or access to someone that'll do it for you!

 

[robthebank]

You just need vagcom to do it, or access to someone that'll do it for you!

Thank you for all your help, ill take the next steps

 

[robthebank]

It seems that my worst suspicions are correct. Sent the ECU to one of the specialist repair companies and it came back as ecconomically beyond repair. getting a second hand/exchange one for a car of this age has also proved impossible.

I have had to buy a new one from SEAT at £545+vat and the icing on the cake is that this has to be programmed by SEAT themselves as well...........

Deep joy!

 

[Boo]

I'm not sure but, it could be something to do with the brake switch ? Same thing happened recently on a friends polo and she replaced the switch and it resolved the problem

 

[m0rk]

It seems that my worst suspicions are correct. Sent the ECU to one of the specialist repair companies and it came back as ecconomically beyond repair. getting a second hand/exchange one for a car of this age has also proved impossible.

I have had to buy a new one from SEAT at £545+vat and the icing on the cake is that this has to be programmed by SEAT themselves as well...........

Deep joy!

You can programme it yourself with VAGCOM, or know someone with it....

 

[robthebank]

programming

You can programme it yourself with VAGCOM, or know someone with it....

do you just need to scan it and write down the entries with VAGCOM for programming. They are telling me that due to the age of the car (and possibly because some entries required passwords) that they cant do it with their kit and it has to go to SEAT (£75 for programming)

I suspect that when the ECU comes back it will be worse than before so its probably better sat on their forecourt with the problem otherwise I have problem no2

thanks for all your replies on my thread by the way

 

[robthebank]

update

In the end I had to get a new ECU sourced from SEAT, programmed by them and then returned. That code is a horror code that relates to the ECU itself, not a fault with another component such as brake light switch etc.
took 5 weeks to get the part on back order from Spain

Was an expensive saga, all in was £900

however with only 36K on the clock and an immaculate interior (plus only having had it for 6 months) couldnt write it off. Its now running great

i suspect that the very cold nights during winter (down to -10) may have been the trigger. hosing the ECU in the compartment underneath the windscreen wipers doesnt seem to be a sensible place to keep sensitive and crucial electronics