Limp from phoenix to north carolina (1403?)

LeeSmthsn

Active member
Joined
Feb 29, 2008
Location
Topton, NC
TDI
98 Jetta
So... i seem to only come post on the forums when things go wrong. One day I'll finally get this figured out though. All my vehicle repair and diagnostic history is in my thread history, and I seem to have this problem 1403 alot. 1998 a3 jetta. 186k miles.

I just finished a nearly 4000mi roadtrip (Phoenix - Santa Barbara - Taos - Dallas - Houston - Chattanooga - Bryson City, NC) and have been in limp mode for 80% of it. Towards the beginning of the trip, I seemed to keep the CEL off and stay out of limp by only putting strain on the engine at over 2200rpm, but by the time I made it into TX the limp mode was a sure thing as the CEL turns on as soon as I crank the engine. In the past, the 1403 would just go away on its own, and I'd forget about it.

I changed the oil and air and oil filters 100mi before starting the roadtrip and had an occasional 1403 code thrown while driving around in phoenix but never limp mode. The car is packed close to full and is quite heavy. No other issues. temp normal. electronics work fine. fairly typical fuel economy. Is there a simple and cheap solution the the EGR issues?



funds are tight / nonexistant. I really just want my turbo to start working again. :confused:




Also looking for VW graveyard in western NC for hood, front quarterpanels, grille, and various interior plastic pieces.
 
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skinnyb

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 19, 2009
Location
Western, NC
TDI
2013 JSW TDI
I would check with Landon Grindstaff (turbinewhine) out of Asheville. He is the local TDI guru.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Got Bearings?

Veteran Member
Joined
May 5, 2007
Location
SoCal
TDI
2001 Golf GLS
So... i seem to only come post on the forums when things go wrong. One day I'll finally get this figured out though. All my vehicle repair and diagnostic history is in my thread history, and I seem to have this problem 1403 alot. 1998 a3 jetta. 186k miles.

I just finished a nearly 4000mi roadtrip (Phoenix - Santa Barbara - Taos - Dallas - Houston - Chattanooga - Bryson City, NC) ?
First you say this....
funds are tight / nonexistant. I really just want my turbo to start working again. :confused:
Then you say this....? Last time I checked, diesel isn't free nor cheap.

Are you really tight on funds or do you not want to spend the time & money to fix your car? I'm sure you spent a pretty penny on that road trip.
 

LeeSmthsn

Active member
Joined
Feb 29, 2008
Location
Topton, NC
TDI
98 Jetta
I've used VW Specialties just north of Asheville in weaverville and find them thorough yet a bit out of my budget. So the goal is to continue to learn how to fix as much as i can on my jetta. And a trip into town usually lasts 2 days to get everything done that I need to. Now that I'm here I've gotta make up some more bio to keep the tank full too.

I guess I'm looking for suggestions as to where to start the diagnosis/repair if its the EGR that seems to be having the issue. All the hoses and wiring look normal, and i believe thats where a solution has lied before for me.


I would appreciate a tad more constructive comments rather than questioning my motives and spending habits. I just spend the last bit of my money on 6 months of insurance and a roadtrip to get back to the Great Smoky Mountains where I left my heart. I am spending the summer guiding whitewater rafting trips and will not make much money. I enjoy making biodiesel and wrenching on my tdi and my friend's 2C-T TownAce. Oh, and bio is cheap and can be FREE.

Ought i search out a VAGCOM? or is the EGR a typical enough of a problem that diagnosis may not require expensive tools? I've got a shop to work in but need a few ideas where to start.
 

skinnyb

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 19, 2009
Location
Western, NC
TDI
2013 JSW TDI
Hmm working the gorge this summer? I drive thru there often, really a pretty place and the best rafting in the US in my opinion. You can't go wrong with VW specialties, Todd is great. I would help with VCDS but mine only reads can bus cars so I can't help with that.
 

loganbmx4gt

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2011
Location
Jackson, TN
TDI
97' Passat (1Z), 02' Golf
Is the code P1403? Do you have your egr deleted? I have this code due to deleting my egr. I keep deleting it when it does pop up, but the car never goes into limp mode for me though. I'm just waiting till TDIFest to get the car tuned and the tuner delete This code for good.

I'd say check/replace your vacuum hoses running from your N18, or even replacing the N18 for good measure. This is if the code is 17811/P1403/005123 - EGR System: Regulation Deviation
 
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Got Bearings?

Veteran Member
Joined
May 5, 2007
Location
SoCal
TDI
2001 Golf GLS
I would appreciate a tad more constructive comments rather than questioning my motives and spending habits. I just spend the last bit of my money on 6 months of insurance and a roadtrip to get back to the Great Smoky Mountains where I left my heart. I am spending the summer guiding whitewater rafting trips and will not make much money. I enjoy making biodiesel and wrenching on my tdi and my friend's 2C-T TownAce. Oh, and bio is cheap and can be FREE.
Sorry... but when you say (1) you had this problem a lot, (2) one day you'll figure this out, (3) go on a 4000 mile trip, of which 3200 miles was in limp mode, (4) and then say you have no money... all in the first post tells me your priorities are all out of whack and there's no sense in helping you since you won't even help yourself. With everything you've said, I even question if your car is actually maintained properly or even roadworthy... and may even pose a danger to other drivers on the road with your POS.

Man up. Make some money and some sacrifices to get your car fixed PROPERLY. If that means not going on road trips, do it. If that means, working a couple jobs, do it! If that means forgoing your whitewater rafting "job", do it.
 
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LeeSmthsn

Active member
Joined
Feb 29, 2008
Location
Topton, NC
TDI
98 Jetta
Thanks for the advice. I'll check those lines again and make it up to see vw specialties after a paycheck or 2. Is there a way to determine if a vac hose has gone bad aside from just replacing them? Isn't thee a valve or switch that can get sticky and not open fully? There are so many 1403 posts that its hard to narrow down.

#hoping_for_no_trolls_ this_time
 

LeeSmthsn

Active member
Joined
Feb 29, 2008
Location
Topton, NC
TDI
98 Jetta
Post mechanic update:

Turbo actuator is seized and stuck on full open boost (is the understanding I took away from the explanation at the shop). Shop says this is pretty much a nail in the coffin for the turbo and i ought to replace it with new or used as rebuilding isn't appearantly an option. Estimate was apprx $1000 for a new turbo and would call me if they heard of a used one from one of their regulars.

This all seemed to be about what I was expecting in both diagnosis and cost but figured I might as well try to bump the thread up to see what others have to say. So i suppose I'll be looking around asheville in some parts yards for a used turbo pretty soon, but if I remember correctly, there is a different turbo (aftermarket?) that fits on this model of which I would like to weigh the pro's and con's and figure out the roundabout costs difference.

chugging along in limp mode.
 

VeeDubTDI

Wanderluster, Traveler, TDIClub Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 2, 2000
Location
La Conner, WA
TDI
2018 Tesla Model 3: 217,000 miles
Did you check the small boost line that lives inside of the engine computer? That can rot out and cause limp mode because the computer doesn't know how much boost the engine is getting.

You need VCDS, especially if you want to work on your car yourself. It is an absolutely essential tool. Spend the money on that and save huge money on future repairs and diagnostics.
 

loganbmx4gt

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2011
Location
Jackson, TN
TDI
97' Passat (1Z), 02' Golf
Post mechanic update:

Turbo actuator is seized and stuck on full open boost (is the understanding I took away from the explanation at the shop). Shop says this is pretty much a nail in the coffin for the turbo and i ought to replace it with new or used as rebuilding isn't appearantly an option. Estimate was apprx $1000 for a new turbo and would call me if they heard of a used one from one of their regulars.

This all seemed to be about what I was expecting in both diagnosis and cost but figured I might as well try to bump the thread up to see what others have to say. So i suppose I'll be looking around asheville in some parts yards for a used turbo pretty soon, but if I remember correctly, there is a different turbo (aftermarket?) that fits on this model of which I would like to weigh the pro's and con's and figure out the roundabout costs difference.

chugging along in limp mode.
If it is just the actuator, then just replace the actuator.:confused: There is a "guru" in Asheville. He goes by TurbineWhine on here, get it to him.

What is this shops name, and where is it located?
 

LeeSmthsn

Active member
Joined
Feb 29, 2008
Location
Topton, NC
TDI
98 Jetta
so... went to turbowhine a few months ago, and he found the problem quickly: a 3" gash in a boost hose. limp problem solved.
 

JB05

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 20, 2005
Location
Il.USA
TDI
Golf,2005,anthracite blue
Thanx for the update. I would think the replacement hose was alot cheaper than an actuator or turbo.
 

jaypee_alh

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 12, 2011
Location
Charlotte, NC
TDI
'97 B4 Sedan
Could we make sure that the boobs who diagnosed the fault as a bad actuator are not on on the trusted mechanics list?
 
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