EPC, ESP, Engine Light all on and won't rev past 4K! Any Ideas please?

[9iron]

Yesterday mine was reluctant to fire and when it did the ECP and ESP lights came on (can't turn off ESP light now).
After a while the engine management light came on, all three now on and car takes a few extra turns to start.
DSG in auto mode won't change up easily (manual seems OK) and it wont go past 4k revs.!
Any suggestions before I leave it into the Dealer for the usual song and dance routine?
Thanks,

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Yesterday mine was reluctant to fire and when it did the ECP and ESP lights came on

Have you had a flat battery?  Has the car been stood for a couple of weeks or longer?  Did the starter motor turn the engine at 'normal' cranking speed?  How full is the fuel tank?

(can't turn off ESP light now).

When the ESP light comes on like that, you need to drive in a straight line at over 6mph (usually no more than 20 metres) for the ESP to 're-calibrate' itself again.  This is usually due to low battery voltage, or a disconnected battery.

After a while the engine management light came on, all three now on and car takes a few extra turns to start.

DSG in auto mode won't change up easily (manual seems OK) and it wont go past 4k revs.!
Any suggestions before I leave it into the Dealer for the usual song and dance routine?
Thanks,

The engine has probably gone into 'limp home mode'.  Has any of the warning lights come on previously?  Have you had any issues with 'flat battery' (such as slow cranking speed, the alternator drive belt 'singing' when turning on headlamps or heated rear window)?

The DSG has probably gone into similar limp home settings - though usually they default back to their 'nanny' change points - ie, in D, changing up to 6th at about mph!  Does sport mode function like it should?

How old is the car?  Still in warranty or not?  If not (or even if it is <wink>) you may prefer to go to a trusted VAG independent, rather than relying on the stealer!  Do you have, or know a mate who has VAG-COM/VCDS?

HTH 

[9iron]

You know your stuff! I had a flat battery about 3 weeks ago (car was stood for 2 weeeks).
I jumped it and no probs. since , sport mode is not working either.
Would it be an idea to disconnect the battery and try again?

[Teutonic_Tamer]

OK, might be worth disconnecting battery, and leaving it disconnected for half an hour - but make sure you have your security code for the radio/SatNag.

But unless the batt is fully charged, and can keep its full charge, you will continue to get these issues.

Is yours a standard 200PS GTI, or a 230PS Ed30 or Pirelli?  Because the standard GTI should have had a 72Ah battery - but many were fitted with a lower spec 70Ah (including mine - which was fully loaded with DSG, heated seats, sunroof - all electrically 'demanding'!).  Do a search for battery issues (use the 'Advanced Search', then use my forum username [but not as thread starter], and just select the mk5 section, with child board).

HTH

[bacillus]

Because the standard GTI should have had a 72Ah battery - but many were fitted with a lower spec 70Ah

Interesting, must check mine out.   

[9iron]

Just thought I'd update.
I disconnected the battery for 24 hours, when I reconnected it all lights except ESP had gone out, the car was driving fine. I drove for a bit and when I restarted the ESP had gone out too, problem solved although I suspect something is draining the battery (it is the new battery type).

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Just thought I'd update.

Thank you, very muchly.  Some peeps ask for info on a prob, but then forget to update - so we often wonder weather the advice given on the forum was OK or not.  Thanks again!

I disconnected the battery for 24 hours, when I reconnected it all lights except ESP had gone out, the car was driving fine. I drove for a bit and when I restarted the ESP had gone out too, problem solved although I suspect something is draining the battery (it is the new battery type).

Result. 

So how old is the car (or battery, if you can see the date stamp).  Modern batteries, if left to go completely flat, will never be reliable, even if you 'condition' the battery with a specialist charger.  If yours doesn't hold the charge, I would earnestly recommend getting the battery checked out, and if need be, getting a new battery.  Because it will only get worse once the clocks change, and we get into the winter.

[9iron]

THe battery is a 72Ah battery but the car is a December '04 MK5 so I had been expecting it to be the 70ah type. (it could have ben changed but I have had the car since Aug. '07 so it's unlikely to have been).
Yes you are right about changing the battery, I feel once a battery has been drained it's best to replace it.
Thanks for your help again.