Mk6 EPC Light and engine misfires

[Chriso101]

Hi!

I'm new to this forum, and hoping there is someone out there who can help! (Please!)
I purchased my golf GTI MK6 9 months ago, my dream car - but now my faith and patience in the car is wearing so very thin...

It started around 5 months ago when i felt a slight murmur from the engine. It happened only once or twice over a month or so, but it has slowly progressed from slight judders to now strong jumps where it feels like the brakes are being suddenly applied. The EPC light flashes on the dashboard, I lose power then it kicks back in. Believe me when I say from the first occurrence of this fault i took it straight to my specialist vw garage, but every time frustratingly the fault isn't showing. I have tried at another garage and they said it was a faulty rear heat screen relay which had melted, but this has since been replaced and the fault still remains! The garage have told me to take it to a main dealer so it's booked in Monday, however I'm not holding much hope. The chap said there may be a fault in the body control unit and may need the software updating or replacing?! Any advise would be gratefully received as I'm getting a little anxious of costs considering vw charge £60 just for looking at it!

Thanks 

[itavaltalainen]

if the EPC light comes on then there's a fault stored in the ECU.

look for someone with VCDS with CAN interface and get them to scan it....
you should also be able to read fault codes from ecu with a simple ELM327 bluetooth adapter and the 'torque' android app on a smartphone...

[Chriso101]

Hi, thanks for that I'll do my research. The one frustration though has been that the fault doesn't show on any diagnostic tests, so proves the problem to be invincible, without of course the trial and error of replacing parts or software. It's knowing where to start!

Thanks again, I will update with any news or progress!

[Rhyso]

Take a trip to Midland VW in Cannock. Better than your dealers and worth the trip 

[flog]

There was a TSB for your car, sounds like you need a software update from main dealer.

A software update is not a dodgy remap from one of the site sponsors, it must be carried out from the main dealer or anyone who has pass through device specializing in these kind of updates. I have seen many mk6's with remaps and this fault, and its not the tuners fault its actually the original software on the ECU itself.

[Chriso101]

Just to update, my car went in on Monday, some 5 days ago, for a further 2 hour appointment to try and find a fault in a wire somewhere in the car causing the alleged problem. Alas they did not find the faulty wire, believed to be from the heated rear winscreen relay, nor was it found on any internal wiring for anything as they were all checked. The fault was then believed to be linked to my fuel pump, this was subsequently changed but the fault still remains. Also now according to the person who test drove it, says that my windscreen wipers no longer work, this in addition to the engine misfiring.

The VW dealers are now at a loss and have been dealing with VW technicians in Milton Keynes, and have said that the only reasonable fix is to replace the main brain of the car. This plus fixing will cost 1800 and I've been phoned today (Friday) to make a decision on Monday with what I'd like to do. The dealers have approached WV to see if they will cover any cost if this fix but they said that because this is not a know issue they will not pay a penny! I purchased the car privately, so cannot even try to sort this out with the garage I purchased it from.

Does anyone have any advise or suggestions before I inevitably have to make a decision? The cost is astronomical and very disheartening, I'm at a bit of a loss with it all 

[flog]

I searched online and at work and cannot find no TSB's for the MK6 and this problem. Seems VW want to keep this quiet and sting the customers, shocking but true.

[topher]

Give us a call in the morning 01543 495700.

If it does turn out to be the ECU breakers yards sell them for £300~ish and we can fit and code them for £120. I'd rather take a look at it myself before resorting to that though

Factory software updates are not a problem for us. "dodgy remaps" built on the latest factory software also available

[Chriso101]

Thanks for your feedback guys, unfortunately I had to make the decision last week so the part is already ordered and on special delivery from Germany..! I have my fingers crossed it will cure it.

Ps I've spoken to VW customer service and their attitude stank. The car has full VW service history, low miles (36k) and is only just over 3 years old and they said there is no support they can provide. I was hoping they would contribute to a disgraceful error with such a part on such an expensive car deemed to be reliable. Struggling to believe in the brand at the moment to be honest!

I'll let you know how the part goes after fitting, could take a couple of weeks until the part arrives in the country!

[Chriso101]

Ok well sorry for the delay with the update. It turns out a new ECU unit cured the problem. With all time, parts and labour VW dealership gave me a bill for £1800...

VW head office have also refused to contribute any goodwill gesture towards the costs, despite the car being full service history with VW. Needless to say, a big part of my love affair with the VW brand has died.

If anyone else has any VW horror stories to share then please feel free!