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Unwanted airs
The owner of a nine-year-old VW Golf 1.9 TDI one day was annoyed to discover that her car was developing strange airs. About every fourth time the turbo diesel engine refused to start - for no apparent reason.
Unwanted airs
For nine years, the young Golf owner was satisfied with the service of her obedient carriage. The compact car, which was primarily used privately, took her from A to B whenever she requested it and showed no abnormalities even during scheduled maintenance intervals. The woman, who had little technical experience, was all the more surprised when the 66 kW turbo diesel engine began to “spin” one day when the mileage was around 128,000. About every fourth time it refused to start and only responded to the unsuccessful attempts by lighting up the ESP indicator light. The inevitable visit to the workshop took them to Kfz Ringseis on Schwarzenbergplatz in Vienna. Owner Georg Ringseis, who is also the state guild master of Viennese automotive technicians, took a close look at the moody Golf. However, troubleshooting turned out to be more tedious than expected.
Here are the details:
▶ A check of the battery and starter shows no problem.
▶ When reading out the error memory using a diagnostic device, the entry appears: incorrect display of the main relay signal. The control devices are supplied with power via the main relay in order to relieve the load on the ignition lock.
▶ A manual check shows that the relay warms up quickly - an indication that something could be wrong. Since it is a cheap spare part, it will be replaced.
▶ Result: No improvement in the problem, but the error entry is deleted. A new error is displayed: The MSG engine control unit is not sending a signal.
▶ Troubleshooting the CAN bus system, but no error is displayed.
▶ Measuring the input resistance of the MSG shows: everything is okay.
▶ Checking all incoming and outgoing cables to the MSG for resistance, exposing and checking all plug connections, fuses and ground connections to the body remains inconclusive.
▶ Checking the peripherals and internal vehicle communication - without result
▶ Replacing the electrical part of the ignition lock (this was the cause of a similar defect that we reported on in the October issue of KFZ Wirtschaft). Conclusion: no improvement.
“After all other causes had been ruled out, it could only be a defect in the engine control unit,” says Georg Ringseis. And indeed: the exchange was successful and the problem was solved.