ecowaters
Member
How can I deal with a mysterious engine light code 1403* so I can get my car inspected by Jan. 3? I have to fly back to my contract job in Calif. and have nowhere to store the car.
In Sept., I drove my 98 New Beetle TDI through a 18" puddle at 40 mph (it was pitch black on a very rural road).
A 5' wave of water fell over the car and it died.
After letting it dry out for a couple days on the side of the road, I drove it to the dealer (with great engine distress and dark exhaust).
Diagnosis: It had sucked in water and had a bent rods.
I had it towed to Kraftwerke in Braintree with the idea I'd get better service than at the dealer.
An insurance adjuster was about to declare it a loss but the garage owner told him I wanted to salvage it. So the engine was rebuilt.
Three days later, the engine light goes on with code 1403.
Here's one clue: last month, the engine light stayed off on warm days.
However, on cold days, it doesn't go off after warming up the car.
Kraftwerke says I need a new EGR valve, that mine likely has a hole in the diaphragm. Repair $250 + labor.
A local mechanic says that's very unlikely. He says fuel likely exploded into the lines when the engine took on water, and I perhaps need all the lines looked at and perhaps cleaned. They started this work.
This is now a nightmare, since I can't get the car inspected until this is resolved. I have to fly back to Calif. on Jan. 3. I might get the car inspected, risk a fail, then hope I have 60 days to resolve it. But I'll still have to deal with this.
Any ideas?
*P1403 "EGR System Control Difference" ("check
hose connections" -- "Probable causes: Failed EGR valve, blocked
passages").
In Sept., I drove my 98 New Beetle TDI through a 18" puddle at 40 mph (it was pitch black on a very rural road).
A 5' wave of water fell over the car and it died.
After letting it dry out for a couple days on the side of the road, I drove it to the dealer (with great engine distress and dark exhaust).
Diagnosis: It had sucked in water and had a bent rods.
I had it towed to Kraftwerke in Braintree with the idea I'd get better service than at the dealer.
An insurance adjuster was about to declare it a loss but the garage owner told him I wanted to salvage it. So the engine was rebuilt.
Three days later, the engine light goes on with code 1403.
Here's one clue: last month, the engine light stayed off on warm days.
However, on cold days, it doesn't go off after warming up the car.
Kraftwerke says I need a new EGR valve, that mine likely has a hole in the diaphragm. Repair $250 + labor.
A local mechanic says that's very unlikely. He says fuel likely exploded into the lines when the engine took on water, and I perhaps need all the lines looked at and perhaps cleaned. They started this work.
This is now a nightmare, since I can't get the car inspected until this is resolved. I have to fly back to Calif. on Jan. 3. I might get the car inspected, risk a fail, then hope I have 60 days to resolve it. But I'll still have to deal with this.
Any ideas?
*P1403 "EGR System Control Difference" ("check
hose connections" -- "Probable causes: Failed EGR valve, blocked
passages").
Last edited: