In desperate need of help in Columbus, OH

mcolmsted · August 31st, 2008, 18:51

At the recommendation of someone on the mid-west forum, I'm posting here. Anyone coming back through who can help???

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We were up this weekend for a vintage base ball festival and are supposed to be leaving tomorrow. However, as we were attempting to leave the festival today, our 03 VW Jetta wagon refused to start. It won't turn over, etc. We know there is an error code being thrown of P0228. According to Autozone, this is the throttle position sensor.

Is there anyone who can tell me what this is, how it can be fixed, and if there is anyway to get it fixed in order for us to drive home to St Louis tomorrow?

If not, the plan is to rent a Uhaul trailer and have a friend tow our car back tomorrow. It's going to be a tight fit for all of us in his truck, though, so we'd prefer to get it fixed if at all possible. Any and all help is MUCH appreciated!!

Courtney

Haiku TDI · August 31st, 2008, 22:29

While I can't be of much help in terms of fixing the car -- I'm in no way skilled enough nor do I know enough about the throttle position sensor -- I am in Columbus, OH if you need a place to gather people and parts and knowledge.

Hope all gets fixed for you soon.

paramedick · August 31st, 2008, 22:38

Courtney, it may very well be a TPS. However, please confirm that you have checked the antishudder valve to ensure that it is not stuck closed.

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread...ighlight=start

mcolmsted · September 1st, 2008, 06:23

Thanks for the link. Unfortunately or fortunately, that doesn't sound like the problem. The car won't start at all--it actually doesn't do anything. When the key is in the off position, the clock and odometer are on. As soon as you turn the key, everything turns off and the engine does nothing. When the car was hooked up to another battery (jumping it), when the key was turned the dash lights (CEL, etc.) did come on and the engine did click a couple of times. Other than that, nothing.

MOGolf (bless the man--hasn't he driven enough this weekend?!) drove over at 7:30 this morning to check it out. His initial assessment is the battery so the guys are headed to buy a new battery and see if that works. Thanks for the suggestions!

Courtney

Growler · September 1st, 2008, 06:40

Hooray for MoGolf! He drove back & Forth all weekend to fest..

Deserves a Medal! SOlid gold as big as his heart!

mcolmsted · September 1st, 2008, 07:53

Thanks to MOGolf, the car is up and running with a new battery. We are very grateful!!

Joe_Meehan · September 1st, 2008, 13:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcolmsted

Thanks to MOGolf, the car is up and running with a new battery. We are very grateful!!

GREAT!

DCELL · September 1st, 2008, 19:12

Thanks to MOGolf for helping me out this weekend too... Left my Vagcom at home and tripped a CEL on the way to the fest. he hooked me up!

MCCOLMSTED- Glad to hear you got going ok. I've never had much luck jumping a TDI either.

MOGolf · September 1st, 2008, 20:34

You're welcome Courtney. Let us know that you got home safely.

I understand that you and the hubby won't be at Old Navy's GTG this year. Enjoy your other plans.

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Removed the battery and checked for corroded grounds. Examined connections at starter and back of alternator. No problems found.

Hooked up VAG-COM and found the system reporting 9.xx low voltage. Probably a dead cell.

I offered to take the battery home and try to properly charge it, but the decision was made to try a new battery.

Looked in my TomTom for the nearest place. Autozone came up with its phone number.

We called them. They had a couple of 94R batteries.

Went there with the old battery. Looked identical to the replacement except the replacement doesn't have the useless green indicator, nor tape over the caps.

Went back with the new battery and installed it.

Car started right up.

Rechecked with VAG-COM and system voltage was 14.2x. Revved the engine up a few RPMs and the generator load readings and voltage indicated the alternator was working properly.

We had a chuckle that the Autozone computer listed the battery replacement as "labor intensive". Based on that, we wonder what they'd list for a timing belt. It took them longer to actually find the battery than for me to remove the old one.

The TPS code was probably a false code due to low voltage. It did not return while I was there. There was also an engine start blocked by immobilizer code. Both cleared after the replacement battery was in.

TDITONY · September 1st, 2008, 20:42

MOGolf you freaking RULE. Thanks for the quick mod on the windows and coming through for a member in need.

Tony B

leicaman · September 1st, 2008, 20:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOGolf

We had a chuckle that the Autozone computer listed the battery replacement as "labor intensive". Based on that, we wonder what they'd list for a timing belt. It took them longer to actually find the battery than for me to remove the old one.

I suppose they would also think that replacing the back bank of plugs on an air cooled vw motor to be labor intensive too! Ha!

MOGolf · September 2nd, 2008, 19:29

I talked to mcolmsted. They all made it home safely with no further problems.

mcolmsted · September 2nd, 2008, 21:33

Thanks again to MOGolf for his great help!! It's amazing (and frustrating) that something as simple as the battery had us completely stranded because we had no good way to diagnose it. Makes me think I need to get a VAG-COM

. But then I wouldn't get to watch the generosity of club members like MOGolf, who saved the day with his willingness to help.

Thanks again to everyone who offered help and suggestions, and most importantly to MOGolf who got us back on the road!!

Windjammer · September 4th, 2008, 10:31

This is the load tester that you need to test the battery. You can get one for $25 - $50.

Mark of Diesel · September 4th, 2008, 11:00

Q. So how many miles DID you put on the Passat this last weekend Glen?

You are the Master!