how to fix DEF heater
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=438458
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=438458
It's absolutely amazing how after more than 1 week of waiting for VW Customer service to respond, they call me to say I am SOL and that the part is considered normal "wear and tear". Anyone else have a normal wear and tear $1000 Electronic sensor go bad after 3 years? Why is this part $350 in the USA and $1000 in Canada? Last time I checked, the exchange rate was not that badRevised part number for the sensor is 03L 907 807 AD.
I had similar issues with the NOx sensor and the AdBlue tank troubles. Had to replace the sensor as well as the AdBlue tank heater. Parts are available at vwpartsnation and cost $330 for the NOx sensor and $430 for the AdBlue tank heater (US dollars). Each part costs over $1,000 from the Dealers so do you research and buy elsewhere instead of getting robbed.
Part number for the AdBlue tank repair kit is 561-198-970-A.
The NOx sensor replacement is quite simple, just requires you to lift the car a little with a jack, remove a plastic shield under the body of the car, and locate the NOx sensor after a flap valve in the exhaust somewhere mid car. The tools you'll need are a 10mm socket and I think a 7/8" wrench (if I recall correctly).
The AdBlue tank replacement is a little more involved but with a little time can be done. I think there's a write up somewhere here. If not, let me know, I took some pictures and could try to put something together in between fixing this beast.
Stephane
Completely agree! The gooberment is holding us hostage for something VW clearly hasn't figured out and is using customers as guineapigs. The AdBlue shutdown is required by law, it has nothing to do with the car still running. The amount of pollution created by bad electronic components/sensors/diesel particulate filters pretty much nullify's the emission reduction achieved by the new diesel emission's systems.It's absolutely amazing how after more than 1 week of waiting for VW Customer service to respond, they call me to say I am SOL and that the part is considered normal "wear and tear". Anyone else have a normal wear and tear $1000 Electronic sensor go bad after 3 years? Why is this part $350 in the USA and $1000 in Canada? Last time I checked, the exchange rate was not that bad
The other thing that bugs me is the logic of not allowing you to start your car, even though the adblue is full, you are not polluting, but your sensor is falsely reporting the adblue is empty. Imagine being on a long trip and having to tow your car to a dealer because your Nox sensor went nuts.
While dealers do have to make money, when someone can get a manufacturers part at nearly half the cost or sometimes more, something is broken with their business model. Not saying they are bad. They're just not getting my business when it comes to parts. Especially when the difference in price is over a few hundred dollars and sometimes a lot more. Perhaps its time to rethink the way parts are inventoried at dealerships. I don't have the answer. But my suggestion is if its not warrantied, do the work yourself or find an reputable indy shop.Before we bash dealers too much, let's consider their overhead. First, unlike an online parts dealer, they are required to own and have available a full set of tools for ALL the makes and models of cars they service. This can run well into the many hundreds of thousands of dollars. Secondly, everytime the state or federal government introduces new legislation, the dealer is required to buy equipment to ensure that they can have their vehicles meet these regs when customers bring them in. A good case in point is here in PA where expensive computers are required to send emissions data along with the VIN number to the state capitol everytime the vehicle undergoes an annual inspection.
And then there is the heated/air conditioned waiting room, property taxes on the building and parking lot (probably a much larger area than an on-line retailer) plus all the support folks that have to be paid. And a good dealer will send the mechanics off to school,with some regularity for training on new technology and equipment. Oh, and let us not forget equipment that is required to comply with OSHA regulations, like all new lifts that don't put the hydraulic cylinders underground.
So dealers, while there may be some lemons, don't have the easiest financial road to hoe. If you don't like supporting this, then go to an indy or do it yourself. But until you have been in business or worked for a good sized business, don't forget that a dealership is indeed a business...and it is there to make a profit (as are all businesses) in spite of all the expenses.
VW owners aren't alone..have a friend with a 2016 Ram with Cummings diesel. Got a code R208C Reductant Pump Control Circuit Low ! Dodge has the pumps on National Back Order.....
Maybe I'm speaking out of turn, but is it possible that you have a leak in the system ?My 2012 Passat has been fine until tonight. The adblue light came on all of a sudden saying I had 600 miles. I pulled over and put 2 and a half gallons in. The light stayed on. When I got home and restarted it , it now says I have 500 miles. I put the reader on it and there are no codes. The car has 156,000 miles on it and the only thing that has gone wrong is the turbo which they fixed. I do try to fill it up before the warning comes on. I usually put 2 1/2 gals in at a time. I drive 220 miles a day at least.
Lee