Help - P202A 00 [237]

[Big Red]

Got a code the other day, cleared it, and now it is back.

1 Fault Found:
9655 - Control Circuit for REductant Tank Heating
P202A 00 [237] Open Circuit
MIL ON - Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear

plus more info.

Had a hard start problem a few days ago up North, had to jump the car to start. Ended up replacing the battery. Otherwise, all is running fine.

Thoughts?

 

[VeeDubTDI]

P202A is turning into a pretty common problem. There is a very big discussion about the AdBlue heating element failure here: http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=438268

Long story short, it's unrelated to your starting problems (although short battery life is another fairly common observation around here). Given your location, I recommend ignoring this problem until Volkswagen announces their fix for the current emissions problems. I think it's likely that Volkswagen will have to address this issue when they do their other fixes to the emissions systems.

If you decide to fix this now instead of waiting, the new heating element kit is about $500. The process for replacing it is similar to dropping the fuel tank and replacing the sending unit. Any shop that can do that can probably handle the AdBlue heater. There is also a HOW TO article here: http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=438458

 

[Big Red]

Drat. I stumbled on to that thread as you were replying. What the heck.
Good point about the fix. On the other hand, not sure I want the longer term fix if it will impact performance or gas mileage.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

On the Passats, I would be surprised if the fix had any appreciable impact on either performance or fuel mileage. The TDIs without urea are a different story.

 

[Big Red]

I guess this is a good use of the $500 dealership card!

 

[Big Red]

On the Passats, I would be surprised if the fix had any appreciable impact on either performance or fuel mileage. The TDIs without urea are a different story.

Do you have a feel for what a fix for a 2012 would look like? Your comment about waiting makes me think that several components might need to be replaced. I haven't seen any public info yet.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

My own thoughts on 2012 - 2014 Passat are that Volkswagen will update the computer to increase the AdBlue injection quantity. We are currently seeing AdBlue consumption rates of about 1% of fuel consumption, while the industry standard is around 3% of fuel consumption.

If bumping the AdBlue injection rate to the industry standard causes unreacted ammonia emissions, Volkswagen will also have to replace the SCR cat with a larger one.

I think there is a small possibility that Volkswagen may also have to tweak the exhaust temperatures a little bit to keep them in the SCR system's efficiency range. If this is true, it may result in a small reduction in fuel economy in some operating conditions (city stop & go driving).

 

[Big Red]

Thanks, but probably won't involve replacing my broken tank heater?

 

[lousyg]

Just had P202A pop up on me today.

2012 Passat TDI SEL
110k miles
Located in northern Illinois

I reset the code and we'll see if it shows up again, but I'm expecting it will.

Had extended warranty through 100k, but not sure if that would have even covered this to begin with.

I'm interested in fixing this myself to save money, but I'm intrigued by your suggestion that the scandal fix might touch this anyway (suggesting it may be worthwhile to wait). Do you think there's a high likelihood that whatever VW does would make fixing this now redundant and/or unnecessary?

Northern Illinois does get pretty cold, but the forecast suggests we're on the cusp of a 2 week warmup, and I'm thinking (hoping) we won't dip below 20F again during the daytime until later this year. I park in a garage at night, so I'm not worried about lows.

I'm interested in any other wisdom you might have to share. Thanks!

 

[Fingers302]

Mine just popped too. P202a. 2013 Passat with 96k miles

 

[Itzed]

On the Passats, I would be surprised if the fix had any appreciable impact on either performance or fuel mileage. The TDIs without urea are a different story.

I would have thought that the newer engines would be the easiest fix, but the humble mechanic thinks otherwise. He feels that 12-15 passats will be the most difficult. When I asked why he replied that they have tougher standards to meet. I'm not sure I agree with this, but we'll have to wait a few more weeks to find out I guess.

https://youtu.be/rZEeTgq470c

 

[mtbsteve]

The best thing you can do if you are going to use the dealer to fix is to get VW on the phone once they diagnose the problem. See if they will help defray the cost. I was one of the early ones with this failure and even then they paid for the part but not labor. Not covered under powertrain or emissons warranty. Having to shell out anywhere from $750 to $1k+ to fix the adblue heater is painful enough before you really think about the fact that you have to fix this issue to pass your emissions test (depending on state, CEL means a fail) and in the end the Adblue system is a fraud. Use that argument, maybe you can get more than the part paid for. Hope it works out for you.