Component Protection is essentially an anti-theft measure. The can gateway (Module 19) stores a list of all other "component protected" modules in the car (ECU, Body Control Module, Cluster, Radio, DSG Module, Front Assist Radar, etc.). When you start the car the gateway pings all of those modules to make sure they belong. If a module does not belong, meaning it is not the module the gateway expects, then a component protection fault is triggered in the gateway and that specific module.
- The effect of having triggered component protection depends on the module. But a common example is that a Radio (Module 5F) with component protection triggered does not output any audio.
- The process of telling the gateway that all the current modules belong is called "adapting component protection" and this requires online access using VW's ODIS diagnostic program.
- So for example, you replace your ECU (Module 01), now when you turn ignition on the gateway says "hey, I don't know who that (ECU) is" and triggers component protection fault in both the Gateway and ECU
- I have no idea what ECU functions are impacted by having a component protection fault in the ECU
- To clear that fault you (the dealer, someone with online ODIS access) needs to connect your car to the VW mothership and adapt component protection.
So let's assume (which may be correct, may not) the component protection fault in the ECU will not stop an engine from running.
- Well now you have Immo that will stop the engine from running
- Immo on the Mk7 mates your key with ECU, Gateway, Cluster, Steering Column Lock (for cars with KESSY)
- BCM also gets key adaptation, won't stop the car form starting, but your fobs won't work to lock/unlock
- When you do an immobilizer adaptation, again online with VW mothership, all these items are paired/mated
- When you pop in your spare ECU the other modules go "hey, I don't know who that (ECU) is" and immo is triggered... no driving for you.
Generally, a full spare setup for an Mk7 (or any MQB) car is steering column lock, gateway, keys, cluster, and ECU. If any of those things are not matched, expect your car will not start. Something like this...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/234247133421
A link about component protection, I've linked one post but the whole thread is not long...
This is just a general question for more experienced users. I have been looking into few retrofits on MQB platform and noticed that there are some real limitations when adding brand new modules into the system. For example, I would like to update door modules to add more functionalities(folding...
forums.ross-tech.com
And as time has gone on, more items have been added to the component protection list, meaning they will not work without adapting component protection if they are installed/replaced, for example:
- 2Q0 lane assist camera is now component protected... this camera is not installed on any Mk7 factory, but can be retrofit
- The 5Q0 and 3Q0 cameras (that did come installed on Mk7/7.5s) does not have component protection
- 2Q0 blind spot monitor radars are component protected... again did not come on any Mk7, but can be retrofit
- The Mk7 correct radars (5Q0, from memory) do not have component protection