2000 New Beetle (ALH) - Can't connect to engine module with VCDS

I recently picked up a 2000 New Beetle (ALH) that had been sitting for several years. After replacing the battery it started up just fine, however, it is in "limp mode", the speedo doesn't work, and I cannot connect to the engine module in VCDS. I did some hunting and found another individual with what seemed like the same issue. Their solution was to replace the cluster. I sourced another cluster from the junkyard and after installing there are several different warning lights registering now but, unfortunately, I still cannot connect to the engine module. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Go to the CAN Gateway first, see if you can connect there.

And check to make sure all the fuses that should be there, are, and that none of them are blown.

I'd also make sure someone hasn't butchered the radio harness.

Which VCDS cable do you have?
Is there a light on the cable end that connects to the car?
Can you connect to any other control module?

On the fuse panel next to the drivers door, there are two 7.5v fuses in that panel one of those is for the obd port make sure neither is blown.

Cluster seems drastic. If it's been sitting a long time, perhaps it still has the original, black relay 109. If it does, get a new one

Being a 2000, I'd also do a quick check for coolant migration from the coolant expansion tank level sensor.

-J

UPDATE: I have a legit Ross-Tech USB HEX+CAN dongle. When I go the options > Test it tells me that CAN is "not ready". I checked all the fuses and all seem fine. It had a grey relay 109 in it but I changed it anyway.

All symptoms remain the same.

I will do the check for coolant migration when I am available.

Thank you all for your help so far!

CAN will always show "not ready" on a 2000, it does not communicate through the DLC directly on the CAN bus. It should show the other protocols OK though.

That is not what I meant by CAN Gateway. That is an actual module that the car has that is a sort of router for all the other modules.

oilhammer said:

CAN will always show "not ready" on a 2000, it does not communicate through the DLC directly on the CAN bus. It should show the other protocols OK though.
That is not what I meant by CAN Gateway. That is an actual module that the car has that is a sort of router for all the other modules.

Click to expand...

Sorry, I misunderstood. When I try and connect to the CAN Gateway module I get "no response from controller".

Does the LED on the dongle light up? Should go from red to green.

I'm curious also. I did not think the MKIV's had a CAN Gateway. If so, then there would be no communication just like some of the other modules that don't exist on my Golf.

2000+ does. It is in the cluster.

Then they have a separate paired wire communication line for the CCM and door modules. So the door modules do not communicate directly on the CAN bus, but the CCM does.

Engine

Trans

Radio

CCM

ABS

SRS

Instruments

Are all on the main bus. This of course varies on other models, but the 2000+ A4 platform cars are like this. Address 19.

Now, the immo has some differences starting in 2002. And the single DIN VAG radios still had the K-line input on them like they did before, but because the CAN gateway keeps track of all the modules, you needn't mess with entering any radio codes on 2000+ cars if the radio is removed.

I do not think the mid-2002 switch to the double DIN radios kept the K-line, though, but maybe they did.

The double din radios ditched the old K line... CAN only.

I didn't think they did, but wasn't sure.

oilhammer said:

Does the LED on the dongle light up? Should go from red to green.

Click to expand...

Yes, it lights up and goes from red to green.

Here are the results of the auto scan. Sorry, I probably should have posted this sooner.
VCDS
Windows Based VAG/VAS Emulator Running on Windows 10 x86
VCDS Version: Release 18.9.1 Data version: 20190114 DS296.0
www.Ross-Tech.com
Dealer/Shop Name:
Workshop Code: 000 00000 000000
Self-Diagnosis Log
Friday,10,May,2019,15:22:11:31891
VIN: License Plate:
Mileage: Repair Order:
Chassis Type: 1C - VW New Beetle (1998 > 2010)
Scan: 01 02 03 08 15 17 19 25 29 35 37 39 46 54 56 65 75
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Address 03: ABS Brakes Labels: 1J0-907-37x-ABS.lbl
Part No: 1J0 907 379 P
Component: ABS 20 IE CAN 0001
Coding: 03504
Shop #: WSC 00066
VCID: 3E72BF153A0B26BAEF-4AFE
No fault code found.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Address 15: Airbags Labels: 6Q0-909-605-VW5.lbl
Part No: 6Q0 909 605 A
Component: 06 AIRBAG VW5 0003
Coding: 12342
Shop #: WSC 00066
VCID: 3560A0390F3DE5E23E-4AE4
2 Faults Found:
01317 - Control Module in Instrument Cluster (J285)
49-10 - No Communications - Intermittent
01217 - Side Airbag Igniter; Driver Side (N199)
32-00 - Resistance Too High
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Address 46: Central Conv. Labels: 1J0-959-799.lbl
Part No: 1J0 959 799 AJ
Component: 5X Zentral-SG Komf. 0001
Coding: 00256
Shop #: WSC 00066
VCID: 060217F5225BBE7AE7-4AE4
Subsystem 1 - Part No: 1J2959802C
Component: 5X Tõrsteuerger. FS0002r
Subsystem 2 - Part No: 1J2959801D
Component: 5X Tõrsteuerger. BF0002B
1 Fault Found:
00936 - Electric Window Switch in Front Passenger Door (E107).
28-00 - Short to Plus
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 56: Radio Labels: 1J0-035-18x-56.lbl
Part No: 1C0 035 180 E
Component: RADIO 3CP 0001
Coding: 00401
Shop #: WSC 00066
VCID: 1A3A538586E32A9A33-4AFE
No fault code found.
End-------------------------(Elapsed Time: 04:42)--------------------------

No evidence of coolant migration either...

Well, it looks like the cluster and gateway are offline.

So does the bug start and run (for more than 2 seconds)? The ABS is able to talk to the ECU, there would be a fault there otherwise. And the immobilizer is part of the cluster, which has to talk to the ECU for the engine to stay running.

I almost wonder if there's a break in the CAN / K line wiring

-J

It does start and run, however, I have had the immobilizer deleted because it would not stay running.

Ok, well it sounds like the cluster might be bad. Does it light up at all? Odometer has numbers? If the fuses are good, I'd pull it and check the connections at the back.

-J

Yes, it lights up as normal. The only abnormality with the cluster I noticed is that the speedometer doesn't work at all. I did pull another cluster from a junkyard, that one gave me several more lights but still didn't allow me to connect to the engine module.

I did check the connections and they seem fine, but perhaps the wiring is where the issue is.

I agree with compu, sounds like this issue is in the cluster (the CAN Gateway is also in there) or the wiring to it.

Sorry to revive old threat but I'm having same problem with connecting to modules. Did the OP ever solve problem?

Old thread is fine with me, but OP has not been seen since 2019.
Here is a more recent thread- No connection to 01 Engine Module, please advise