Vehicle file number solved!

Vehicle file number solved!

In the December issue of KFZwirtschaft we reported on a 12-year-old Land Rover Freelander that came to Radoslaw Hudzik's independent workshop in Vienna Hernals with an annoying defect. The problem: If the car is accelerated above around 2200 rpm, its forward momentum abruptly stops and falls back to lower speeds. After the initially suspected gearbox defect turns out to be a false lead, a laborious and unsuccessful search for the actual cause of the error follows for many weeks. Replacing the injection pump and all four injectors as well as the entire rail rail with pressure regulator and pressure sensor are unsuccessful. The software updates that have been carried out also remain ineffective. Likewise, checking the diesel particulate filter, throttle valve and EGR valve for possible malfunctions does not produce any results. Finally, the mechanic replaces the engine control unit, which may have been programmed incorrectly after chip tuning in the past. But this measure is also unsuccessful; the Freelander's hiccups prove to be extremely persistent.

When Radoslaw Hudzik returned to the Freelander after a week-long break due to Corona, he came across an invoice for the installation of a new car radio while searching the glove compartment. What's interesting is that the installation date roughly coincides with the first appearance of the engine problems. The branded device can not only play the radio, but is also equipped with a touchscreen, navigation system and a hands-free system. The car mechanic examines the connections, and lo and behold: The diagnostic plugs set up exclusively for the original radio, through which malfunctions of the device can be read out via the OBD plug, were also connected when the replacement device was connected - with plugs that fit into the socket, but transmit foreign and therefore disruptive signals to the control unit. “When these plugs were disconnected, the error suddenly disappeared,” says Hudzik happily. Case solved.

In the March issue of KFZwirtschaft we reported on an 11-year-old Seat Altea whose diesel engine simply continued to run after the ignition key was removed. The engine only switches off when the main light switch is turned from “Auto” to “0”. The car comes to Alfred and Andreas Grünstäudl's independent car workshop in Groß Gerungs in the Waldviertel. The problem: The diagnostic device does not show any errors, and measuring the cables from the control unit to the light switch and ignition lock does not show any indication of a defect.

Mechatronics engineer Andreas Grünstäudl then studies the circuit diagrams with his father and decides to test replace the steering column control unit with that of a comparison vehicle. “Coincidentally, we had a completely identical Seat in the workshop, with exactly the same control unit number,” says Andreas Grünstäudl. Conclusion: After replacing the electronic components, both vehicles complete their test drive without any problems and are handed over to the customer - with the advice to get back to us immediately if any errors occur. “Funnily enough, both vehicles have been working without any problems since then,” says Andreas Grünstäudl. “I haven’t heard from them for weeks!”

Both Radoslaw Hudzik and the Grünstäudl family would like to thank you very much for the numerous valuable tips that were sent by colleagues from all over Austria via email to the automotive industry and immediately forwarded to the workshops. Take this opportunity to call out: If you ever had an unusual diagnostic case in your workshop that could serve as a teaching example for your colleagues, or if you are currently working on an unsolved problem, simply write a short email to p.seipel@wirtschaftsverlag.at. We will find a solution and will be happy to report on it!