Custom exhaust system fitted - slight issue (Advice needed)

[ShaunS3]

Right boys and girls....had my stainless exhaust system fitted today (3'' DP/Sports Cat and Miltek cat back).

Long story short, my Traction control light is now permanently on and will not turn off via the ESP button. Poss gone into 'fail safe' mode? The boost still seems to be there so its not as extreme as 'limp mode' for example.

They had to drop off the subframe to get the original DP out and also had to disconnect the steering column in order to gain better access. Would it be fair to say that the TCS issue could be related to the wheel alignment being out, following the subframe being dropped? Or more a case of lambda sensors sending it into fail safe mode? No other sensors were touched other than the lambda sensors on the exhaust as far as i am aware.

We have had it onto the fault code reader and there were no codes stored under engine managment and it wouldn't communicate under anti slip control for some reason.

There is also abit of a boost whistle when on full boost which can only be described as though it has a screamer pipe, so i would presume this is because it is a 3'' system with less silencing through DP and sports cat....thus ampliying the boost spool/whistle.

Any advice is much appreciated.

Shaun.

 

[<tuffty/>]

Won't be codes in the ECU... you need to scan the ABS and AWD modules too.... dunno how good your code scanner is but a full scan with VCDS will show fault codes from all modules...

As you had to disconnect the column I suspect you have ******** the calibration for the steering position sensor... a proper scan should highlight fault codes for this

By wheel alignment do you mean the steering wheel is no longer straight?

<tuffty/>

 

[Prawn]

Sounds like they've ****ed it to me mate!

Almost certainly a wheel alignment issue.

I'm fairly sure the column is 'keyed' so you can't get it on the wrong spline, but buggering around with it and dropping the frame could have thrown your tracking right out if they wern't careful.

I'd have the alignment checked, and be prepared to have both camber and castor adjusted and the subframe centralised too.

 

[<tuffty/>]

Should say that you shouldn't need to disconnect the steering column to get the OE DP out... tbh worth all its worth I normally air chisel through the flexi... softest part and saves all the agro of realigning the front wheels if you have undone the subframe..

<tuffty/>

 

[ShaunS3]

Won't be codes in the ECU... you need to scan the ABS and AWD modules too.... dunno how good your code scanner is but a full scan with VCDS will show fault codes from all modules...

As you had to disconnect the column I suspect you have ******** the calibration for the steering position sensor... a proper scan should highlight fault codes for this

By wheel alignment do you mean the steering wheel is no longer straight?

<tuffty/>

Thanks for the quick reply tuffty.

By wheel alignment i mean tracking required after the subframe was dropped to allow the DP to come out. I would imagine this would be standard process after R&R of subframe tbh.

The code scanner is a hand held Solus Pro/Snap-On code reader. I don't know anyone local with VCDS

I am going back in to have it further investigated. I haven't yet paid for the exhaust doing and won't be until its all sorted.

Sounds like they've ****ed it to me mate!

Almost certainly a wheel alignment issue.

I'm fairly sure the column is 'keyed' so you can't get it on the wrong spline, but buggering around with it and dropping the frame could have thrown your tracking right out if they wern't careful.

I'd have the alignment checked, and be prepared to have both camber and castor adjusted and the subframe centralised too.

I wouldn't say it's f*cked, more just a lack of understanding on the job at hand. The thing that's doing my head in is that it's a good friend of mine that owns the garage and he was supposed to be doing it. However, he was called out to a job so had to leave his other lad to do my car. To be quite honest, although the lad is fully qualified, he didn't really know what he was doing and really did struggle to get his head around the best way to do it. I would put this down to manufacturer/product knowledge and experience....based on the fact he was previously a HGV mechanic and not used to cars, nor the modification side of things.

My mate has been fine about it coming back in as he likes to make sure everything is right. I will be feeding the info i get off here back to him to assist in the resolution of the issue.

 

[s3dave]

Ive got VCDS if you want to pop down to Horsforth on saturday.... You wasnt near there at 5ish today were you? saw an s3 on the top roundabout..

 

[liquids3]

Yea id say wheel alignment,ive had a few vag car's that came into my old workplace, that wer so far out of alignment,it almost trys to warn you that the wheels are fighting each other (needs realignment),after adjustment fine light switchs of,snd droping the sub frame moveing parts around,would chuck the alignment out,so no real faught of the garage with a custom dp ect,just as said get a full 4wheel alignment a should be all good.

 

[g60leigh]

I have vcds mate. I'm in Teesside if that's easy enough for you to get to

 

[ShaunS3]

I have vcds mate. I'm in Teesside if that's easy enough for you to get to

Bit far for me to travel but thanks for the offer mate, much appreciated.

 

[ShaunS3]

Ive got VCDS if you want to pop down to Horsforth on saturday.... You wasnt near there at 5ish today were you? saw an s3 on the top roundabout..

Hi Dave,

No it wasn't me unfortunately...i was at work

I'm based in Hudds, so may take a trip over if your willing to help? My mate is very busy at the garage at the moment and also has his lass complaining he never sees the kids....so kind of abit awkward really haha

Can you pm me your details please bud?

Shaun.

 

[ShaunS3]

Yea id say wheel alignment,ive had a few vag car's that came into my old workplace, that wer so far out of alignment,it almost trys to warn you that the wheels are fighting each other (needs realignment),after adjustment fine light switchs of,snd droping the sub frame moveing parts around,would chuck the alignment out,so no real faught of the garage with a custom dp ect,just as said get a full 4wheel alignment a should be all good.

This is kind of what i'm thinking. If it was anything to do with the exhaust, it surely would throw up engine management light as opposed to TCS.

I am going to get it onto VCDS if all goes well and will post up my results. The tracking needed doing anyway as it has already slightly scrubbed the tyres, so its a cost i was always going to have to pay for anyway.

Thanks for your help.

Shaun.

 

[ShaunS3]

Right guys....further developments on this.

Had the car tracked this morning and also back onto diagnostics. Its now been revealed that its the steering angle sensor causing the tcs light to appear.

We cleared the light but when the wheel is turned, the light re-appears.

Will vag-com/VCDS be able to recalibrate the angle sensor?

 

[s3dave]

Found it Shaun..... taken from ross tech..

Basic Setting Sensor for Steering Angle Prerequisites: Start the vehicle. Turn the steering wheel one turn to the right and one turn to the left. Drive in a short distance straight line on a level surface at a speed not higher than 20 km/h. If the steering wheel is straight during the test drive then stop the vehicle with the wheels pointed straight. Ensure that the steering wheel is not moved again. Keep the engine running and do not switch off the ignition. System voltage at least 12.0 V. [Select] [03 - Brake Electronics] [Coding-II - 11] Enter 40168, to enable the basic setting. [Do it!] [Basic Settings - 04] Group 060 [Go!] Activate the Basic Setting. [ON/OFF/Next] After a successful basic setting, field 2 should say "OK". [Done, Go Back] To make sure the basic setting was succesful, check the sensor again. [Measuring Blocks - 08] Group 004 [Go!] Check field 1, the value has to be between -4.5 and +4.5 °. [Done, Go Back] [Close Controller, Go Back - 06]

 

[ShaunS3]

Big thanks to s3dave for hooking my car up to VCDS and re-calibrating my steering angle sensor, very helpful indeed. Nice to meet both s3dave and also damo.h yesterday....vinyl wrapping Daves roof & spoiler (awaiting pics). Looks well Cheers Dave!