Another CEL issue

[Pat1usmc]

Another CEL issue (update)

I've had my Passat TDI SE 6speed for about 2000 miles and my check engine light came on for exhaust temp issues. I know this has been noted by other owners but this time VW tech has decided to do nothing to the car until the engineers come up with a better solution. (Or so I'm told). They also say there is no harm in driving the car with the light on. Very frustrating to have a brand new car with unsolvable issues that needs repeated visits to a dealership. I work night shift and dropping off and picking up the car is not exactly convenient. I'm hoping the fix comes in quickly though.

Update, 5/29/12:
After bringing the car back in a second time, VW replaced an exhaust sensor. The light has now come back in about 2 weeks later. I'm bringing it in a third time on Monday. At this point its obvious that VW has no idea what the problem is, has no solution, and the dealer says a buyback may be an option. I agree. I'm not too keen on spending precious time off bringing a brand new car to the dearler 3-4 times to try to fix the same issue.

 

[Niner]

possibly a screwed up blue tek pump, or wiring or nozzle, or plugged lines, or....

 

[tdiatlast]

Not very constructive, Niner. Please restrain yourself...

 

[Pat1usmc]

Well I'll just post back with the solution when it comes in. I was kind of wondering how many other vehicles were affected by this. I'm sure the bigger the number the quicker the response by VW.

 

[TomB]

Well I'll just post back with the solution when it comes in. I was kind of wondering how many other vehicles were affected by this. I'm sure the bigger the number the quicker the response by VW.

You must be a newbie to VW. More impacted people does NOT equal faster response. They used to just IGNORE it and not respond.

Just ask anyone about their windows that fell into the door.... Took a lawsuit to get it resolved.

I should add they seem better for this model than in the past. We will see ultimately if they have changed.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Ask the dealer which diagnostic trouble codes were stored in the computer. That will tell you exactly what the computer is upset about. I'm wondering if it's an issue with a sensor or if the car's exhaust temperature is outside of parameters for some reason.

I would also recommend buying VCDS! It's a fantastic bit of software for your laptop that will let you become one with your new car, electronically speaking, of course.

 

[domano 68]

What is the last 7 of your vin? I'd go to another dealer for a second ( or in this case a real ) opinion.

 

[Joe_Meehan]

They also say there is no harm in driving the car with the light on.

Yea, unless there is a new problem and you don't know about it until it may cause additional problems.

 

[Pat1usmc]

Updated as of today. The last 7 numbers of my VIN are C060334.

 

[Niner]

I'd suggest you call them and have them tow your car to the dealership, that you don't feel safe driving it with the yellow light on and a very expensive emmissions system, that it might do more damage, and to cover a rental car for you while they sort it out and get it fixed properly. Or take it to a larger dealership in a large city that has more experience with 2012 passat tdi's.

 

[tdiatlast]

Updated as of today. The last 7 numbers of my VIN are C060334.

This thread will make more sense if you place your 5/29 update in a new post. Updating as an edit to your original post won't get noticed.

Thanks. Sorry you continue to have a problem.

 

[Pat1usmc]

Niner I like the way you think. They've got one more try at this and I'm going to get a lot less leniant with them. They swear everything is working correctly but I'm at a loss as to how they can say that.

Here's the update in a new post:
Update, 5/29/12:
After bringing the car back in a second time, VW replaced an exhaust sensor. The light has now come back in about 2 weeks later. I'm bringing it in a third time on Monday. At this point its obvious that VW has no idea what the problem is, has no solution, and the dealer says a buyback may be an option. I agree. I'm not too keen on spending precious time off bringing a brand new car to the dearler 3-4 times to try to fix the same issue.

 

[dachman1]

What I don't see anyone here addressing is what if the light is coming on because of your driving habits, correctly. I own a diesel truck with a EGT gauge. If we had one in these cars, you'd be surprised at how hot the temp gets when you're lugging things in a high gear. Because the car has so much torque, you could be running extremely low rpm's climbing a hill for example. When I'm going up a mountain pass here in the Cascades, you might be surprised, but a one gear downshift can immediately lower the EGT by over 200 degrees.

I'm not saying this is in fact your issue. But it's worth noting that lugging around a diesel engine with a manual tranny can lead to high EGT's. The automatics are programmed to not allow this to get into the danger zone.

 

[Pat1usmc]

Thats something I haven't thought of dachman1, however if thats the way the car is set up, I would imagine this problem would be a lot more common.

The car has been at the dealer for two days now. Tomorrow a VW tech is coming in. Something tells me thats not going to matter much. You'd think if I'm bringing the car in for the third time for the same exact problem, they would have had the tech come the day I dropped off the car, not the third.
Oh well. On another note I can't believe the horrible ergonomics of the Volvo S40 loaner I'm driving. Nothing feels right in it! I wasn't expecting that.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

What I don't see anyone here addressing is what if the light is coming on because of your driving habits, correctly. I own a diesel truck with a EGT gauge. If we had one in these cars, you'd be surprised at how hot the temp gets when you're lugging things in a high gear. Because the car has so much torque, you could be running extremely low rpm's climbing a hill for example. When I'm going up a mountain pass here in the Cascades, you might be surprised, but a one gear downshift can immediately lower the EGT by over 200 degrees.

I'm not saying this is in fact your issue. But it's worth noting that lugging around a diesel engine with a manual tranny can lead to high EGT's. The automatics are programmed to not allow this to get into the danger zone.

The cars have EGT sensors and I have watched ours on the Scangauge. I have never seen it get above 1000F under any conditions except for a regen, in which case it will get up to 1200F. Normal driving around is 400 - 700.

 

[dachman1]

The cars have EGT sensors and I have watched ours on the Scangauge. I have never seen it get above 1000F under any conditions except for a regen, in which case it will get up to 1200F. Normal driving around is 400 - 700.

Now this is what I really wanted to know. I emailed Scan gauge and they didn't even know if we could get that reading... I told them it was available on the computer but they weren't sure if the tool could display it. I'll have to order one now. Thanks for the confirmation.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

We haven't verified that it's the pre-turbo cat sensor, but based on the readings I've seen I'm almost certain that it is.

 

[Pat1usmc]

VW tech said there have been issues with a front sensor in several cars so they are replacing now to see what happens. Patience is waning...

 

[Pat1usmc]

Went to pick up the car today, actually got to talk to the rep from VW America. He was very helpful and seemed to care about the issues. They are actually paying for one month's car payment! Has anyone ever heard of that? If the light comes back on again, they will look into replacing the car. I'm not really sure how that will work, but I really don't want to take off that six-sigma shifter and put it back on again! J/k of course, but I feel like VW is doing the right thing here and trying to make the situation right.

 

[tdiatlast]

Gee...you mean that six-sigma shifter didn't void your warranty?...and cause the dash light to come on?

Joking, of course. I'm glad they're taking care of you. From the posts here, and my visits to my 2 dealers of choice (Stohlman and Marten's), I have the impression that VWoA is very serious about making the new Passat a success. No real proof, yet, as there don't seem to be many unresolved issues (your tech comment about "issues with a front sensor in several cars" was news to me!).

Good luck. Keep us posted. If you haven't already done so, you might want to post the name of your dealer here.

 

[Pat1usmc]

Haha, I really thought they would bring up the shifter too. I was prepared to fight that battle, even though it would have been a ridiculous argument. Nothing was said though, so thats good.
I wasn't given any more information about that sensor other than it is exhaust pressure sensor 1 and it it has failed in other Passats.

I will keep everyone posted. I know these threads aren't the most popular but in my experience, a lot of people end up reading them, maybe not now, but in the future when they have issues. My dealership is Jack Metzer in Danville, PA.

 

[Pat1usmc]

The CEL came back on just several days later. It was the same code. VW just called and confirmed that they will be replacing my Passat with a new one. I will be called in a couple days to get that process started. I'm hoping there are still some 2012 6MT TDIs out there.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Very interesting. Hopefully they'll take it back to the mother ship and do some testing on it.

 

[Niner]

Bummer. Yank that shifter... no major mods for me, until I'm outta warranty, except maybe headlights, if they ever arrive. UPS can be slow as molasses at times.

 

[Pat1usmc]

Yeah I'm not too happy about having to take the shifter off. That wasn't really an easy installation and I think I lost one of the stock plastic pieces that you have to pull off.

Although I am VERY happy that I waited on getting it tinted. I wonder if they will let me choose a different color too. I really like the dark blue. If they're going to have to search for a TDI 6MT, I might as well be able to pick the color right?

 

[Pat1usmc]

VW notified me yesterday that there are no 6MT TDIs available to swap out. They ordered one for me and allowed me to pick my color options as well. I'm changing from tungsten silver with black interior to night blue metallic with beige interior. I figured why not! So it might take a while to get the car since I'm assuming it will be a 2013, but they are also allowing me to drive the old one until it arrives. Interesting turn of events, I've never seen this before.

 

[Niner]

Yeah I'm not too happy about having to take the shifter off. That wasn't really an easy installation and I think I lost one of the stock plastic pieces that you have to pull off.

Although I am VERY happy that I waited on getting it tinted. I wonder if they will let me choose a different color too. I really like the dark blue. If they're going to have to search for a TDI 6MT, I might as well be able to pick the color right?

You didn't by chance, disconnect something quite by accident putting that shifter, in, did you? Just a thought, not an accusation.

 

[Pat1usmc]

No, I had the first CEL light before the shifter even went in. The thought did cross my mind!