Uh..oh... Flashing glow plug light and limp mode :(

dubdemand

dubdemand

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The above happened on the way into Newquay after a 5 hour journey and came back immediately again after a 15 minute stop just before we got here... not driven it since so can't comment if it's still happening but fearing the worst in the morning.

It has happened a couple of times in the past and I always thought it was the DPF re-gen but having RTFM when we got here I am now thinking I was wrong! The manual just says problem in the engine management system - take car for service immediately :(

Any ideas what this could be?
 
Without a scan of the fault codes on the engine it's difficult to say. Did you have the injectors replaced yet?
 
Cheers dude! Yeah they were done week before last (FOC thanks to Audi UK and the help and advice from the guys on this forum). The problem also happened before this was done... I know it needs a scan and it's looking like I will have to rely on the AA to do this. Anyone know if they have diagnostic equipment in their vans?
 
Most have a generic diag tool, or look on the vdcs map and see if anyone in the local area could help.
 
Cool, well it looks like I will have to give her a run in the morning to see if the problem is still there and depending on the outcome I may be hanging around for an AA verdict...

Please let me know if anyone else has suffered similar...
 
Cool, well it looks like I will have to give her a run in the morning to see if the problem is still there and depending on the outcome I may be hanging around for an AA verdict...

Please let me know if anyone else has suffered similar...
 
Well I've just been for a (very) short run to Sainsburys and no glow plug light however no boost either until I hit 3k revs... Gonna take it up to Watergate bay later this afternoon so should have a better idea about what's happening after that with some luck. ****** car lol
 
Hi. I've just posted a reply in the other post on here about the 170 performance issues, but I've just noticed something very specific that you have said. You've stated that it did it right after a 15 minute stop. I didn't put it in my other post, but most times when mine does it, I've just set off after a break. When I was driving up to Scotland last Thursday, we stopped at the services at Carlisle, and as I was starting to accelerate back onto the M6, there it was. Flashing glow plug light and limp mode. I've got that used to it happening now I don't even stop. I just dip the clutch, turn the ignition off, start it up again and off we go.
The first time it ever happened to me was the same. Driving from Manchester to Stranraer, and stopped in Dumfries for a brew. Started off again, slight incline, and on came the glow plug light. At the time, I thought it was the dreaded injector failure, so was surprised when it started up again and drove normally. It's probably happened about 15 times in total now, but we're off to N. Ireland on Thursday again and plan on doing a lot of touring about, so REALLY want to get it sorted this week.
Hope this helps mate.
MMM

P.S. I can post the fault codes if that would be of any help
 
Thanks Matt, sorry about all the cross posting and the need for your multiple answers - I'm just trying to get as much coverage as possible and not wanting to miss any additional info!

For reference my post for the 'other' forum:

Fantastic info and much appreciated matey! We've just been for a blat up to watergate bay and it didn't miss a beat after an initial lack of power when we first set out. Have been discussing with the mrs and think that once we get back I'm going to look at replacing the EGR valve (assuming it gets us home).

Seems to be a very common fault with these cars, almost as common as failed injectors... wonder if Audi will accept liability for this as well?

Let us know how you get on in the next week fella and best of luck for your trip to Ireland :)
 
dubdemand said:
Thanks Matt, sorry about all the cross posting and the need for your multiple answers - I'm just trying to get as much coverage as possible and not wanting to miss any additional info!

For reference my post for the 'other' forum:

Fantastic info and much appreciated matey! We've just been for a blat up to watergate bay and it didn't miss a beat after an initial lack of power when we first set out. Have been discussing with the mrs and think that once we get back I'm going to look at replacing the EGR valve (assuming it gets us home).

Seems to be a very common fault with these cars, almost as common as failed injectors... wonder if Audi will accept liability for this as well?

Let us know how you get on in the next week fella and best of luck for your trip to Ireland :)
Click to expand...

No problem Phil.
I don't think there will be any problem with your car getting you home (if it's the same problem of course!) but it's just such a pain in the bum!!
I'll let you know how I get on this week, and thanks for the good wishes for our Ireland trip!
Cheers
MMM
 
Took her for another blat earlier and still all is seemingly well which inspires some confidence. I have also heard from another user on another forum and this is what he has told me;

"My car has since been in to audi and they have told me it is the little butterfly flaps in the inlet manifold. The manifold has since been replaced and touch wood the fault has gone."

So, this at least suggests that there could be other solutions rather than just the EGR. Guess it just depends on the fault codes which I will start comparing...
 
If the problem is the butterfly flaps in the inlet manifold then your best sorting it sooner rather than later. If you do a little research into the dark side (BMW) you will see that loads of the 3 or 520d's and some 530d's have this issue too. They however suck the flaps into the combustion chambers and completely knacker the engine. It happened to my dad's 530d.

Just thought I'd better let you know as an early fix could be a massive wallet saver!
 
FIXED!!!!
(And you won't believe how simple the fault was.)
This may be a wee bit long winded, but it may just help those that are having the same problem.
So my car went in today to my very trusted well equiped independent diesel specialist.
First thing they did was take it out on a road test, and would you believe it, against all the odds, it went into limp mode whilst they were driving it. It last did it about 500 miles ago. They did say that even before it went into limp, that it felt nothing like the 170bhp it should have. (I've thought this for the 11 months that I've owned it!)
They hooked it up to their diagnostics software, and the usual codes were there. 00665 (Boost pressure control range not reached), and 0299 (Short with Power intermittent).
They then started to control the engine using their software to rev it up and the like. They noticed that the turbo actuator was opening, but not as much as it should.
This is where it gets interesting. He then simply touched the wiring plug that goes onto it, and hey presto, actuator opened fully. They then took off the connector and removed the pins, cleaned it all out properly and reassembled. Turbo actuator now FULLY operational, and let me tell you, I've NEVER felt this car drive like it does now. The mechanic encouraged me to take it out and accelerate onto a motorway. It nearly ripped my ****** arms off!
So, to put it simply, one of the wires in the actuator plug wasn't making a good connection, meaning the actuator wasn't opening properly, thus not allowing full boost through. The turbo pressure sensor was picking this up, and generating the limp mode and fault codes.
I'm not saying that this is definitely everyone's problem, but it may give you or your mechanic something to go on.
It might also be worth noting that this connector is located just forward of the turbo, and also just near the EGR valve. As we all know, there are some ridiculous temperatures around that part of the engine bay, so that may affect the integrity of the wiring plug.
And finally, well done to my local Audi main dealer (to remain anonymous) who diagnosed it as the turbo at fault, and offered to change it for me for £2500.

Hope this helps some of you.

MMM
 
Good find!

Any chance you can take a pic of the offending connector so I can check mine?
 
I'll do my best mate but I'll have to try and resurrect my photobucket account!. You can just see it though if you remove your engine cover. It is quite literally just plugged onto the turbo actuator.

Cheers

MMM
 
Dont worry about it then... I'll have a look at mine tomorrow and take a pic so maybe you can confirm ive got the right one.
 
This sounds very promising and I'm glad it was such an easy fix for you! So this helps narrow things down nicely for me now. I'll start with the plug, then look at the EGR and worst case the inlet manifold!

Went for a drive yesterday and went into limp mode again. This time I killed and restarted the engine while on the move and it went away but I still had no power until 3k. Also, when hitting 3k a big plume of black smoke was coming out the back as it tore up the road...

MMM did yours do this?

Noticed a VAG specialist up the road so may pop up there later today / tomorrow to get the codes read. Will post our findings...

Karl, if you could post a pic of said plug that'd be really useful!
 
Will get a pic taken first thing... Not had chance yet but I'm on it like a car bonnet first thing!
 
I took a picture as best as I could earlier. I'll just have a faff and try and get my photobucket account sorted. give me half an hour!
MMM
 
Ok then
Here's the best picture I could get. Sorry if it's not great

Actuatorplug.jpg


Hope that helps

Matt
 
Brilliant photo and thanks for adding the notes. Will have a look later and see if I can identify the plug. I take it this is down the back of the engine? Do I need to remove the plastic engine cover?
 
dubdemand said:
Brilliant photo and thanks for adding the notes. Will have a look later and see if I can identify the plug. I take it this is down the back of the engine? Do I need to remove the plastic engine cover?
Click to expand...

It's not at the back. It's down at the right hand side of the engine i.e. The driver's side. Best way to see it would be to stand at the right hand side of the car and look down towards the front. It's pretty much located under the flat air intake pipe that screws to the front panel.
We're currently 40 miles from Stranraer with my wife driving. Even she has commented on how powerful it now seems and she wouldn't know 170bhp from 50bhp! It's just so much more drivable. All that from a bad connection. Hope yours is as simple.
By the way, to answer your question from yesterday, I've never had any smoke come out of the back.
Hope that helps
MMM
 
Further update:
Car has been performing like a rocket. Done loads of miles coming over to Ireland and no limp mode.
However. Just stopped at a shop whilst the wife nipped in. When we set off again, I set off up a hill. In second gear, I was waiting for the turbo, but it never came. I had absolutely no turbo effect at all! This was not good. Took it for a blast and got the old limp mode twice. Still no turbo. Got back to the house and popped the bonnet. Turned out that the vacuum pipe that pushes on to the wastegate directly underneath the afore mentioned plug had split on it's rubber coupling. I took it off and literally taped it up with Sellotape then pushed it back on. Took it out again and full power back. Might be worth looking out for. I'll try and get a new part on Monday for mine that doesn't have Sellotape on it!
Cheers
MMM
 
Must have something to do with the new found power and boost you now have! Glad it was a simple fix!

We made it home from Newquay with out any problems, power loss or limp mode (thank the boost gods)! It really did perform flawlessly for the 300 odd mile journey. Need to get booked into my specialist in the next week or so and will ask them to check for codes when it's with them.

Mrs and I are currently sitting here feeling deflated and wishing we were still on holiday... enjoy your time in Ireland fella!
 
Just a quickie. Yesterday I said that the vacuum hose split where it meets the wastegate. Don't know what I was thinking. I meant the turbo actuator. Anyway, the tape didn't work as the adhesive melted! Found some mad back street hardware shop in a small village and he had some rubber tubing. 30p later and car spot on again!
 
Hi dubdemand,
Any news on your issue. Exactly the same just happened to me. A brief history of car. 56 A4 avant quattro, Had two months, all injectors replaced thanks to forums. Done 5k in Europe over last month with no problems until now. Driving from French alps to reims today 4hours into journey we stop to switch drivers its my turn for the last leg. 20 min into journey literally as I'm praising car, we are going up a slight incline doing 85 and the dreaded coil comes on and car goes into limp mode...Doh! So I pull over switch of and on again and all is good so I cautiously do The rest of the motorway journey no problems. Didn't realy push it after that. Seemed to pull alright when I came off and did last bit on b roads. On a side note I did fill up in Carrefour alps with some suspiciously cheap diesel €1.29 / ltr could this be a factor? Anyway I Will get it scanned and post any findings.
Cheers
Matt
 
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Hi Matt, we haven't really got any further with this I'm afraid. The can mainly does local, short trips (I know - not ideal for the DPF!) and has only lost power once or twice in the last coulple of weeks. It does need to go in for some work soon though and I will also be getting it scanned to see what comes up...

Sorry I can't be much more help at the moment but good luck with the rest of your trip and fingers crossed our combined findings may help us sort this out!
 
hi am a newbie to the audi world but ive been VAG through and through just bought a audi a4 cab 2.0tdi and mines goin into limp mode aswell?? it went for a service yesterday and garage had said it was throwing this fault p0234 over boost he's said it maybe the vains on the turbo sticking? and said he could clean it for 250!!! so been looking through the forum and noticed the n75 valve can fail and cause the turbo to over boost?? but surely vagcom would find this??? am goner check the ACTUATOR see if its sticking and the faults what you guys have tried and let you no see if i come across anything. dubdemand did you find problem with your car yet? http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/members/49639/dubdemand.html
 
Sorry to resurrect this thread from the depths of time but after I just got the same symptoms and did a quick search I came across this thread.
Did anyone get to the bottom of this ?!?! I can see that dubdemand now has a B8 and wondered if the reason for his upgrade was due to this issue ?!?!
 
Should be getting mine scanned today - will post any findings. I shall also see if I can reach that actuator plug and give it a clean
 
I have this same issue on my transit connect work van,motorways and dual carriageways!
firstly i get the flashing glow plug light then loss of power,,turn ignition of and restart then its ok(for a while),had it checked and yes injectors!i had 1 and a half injectors working causing fuel to get dumped back into the pump which it cant cope with.I had one injectors done so now i have 2 working ok and its fine.
At £220 per injector i decided to do just one and see how it goes.
 
Last edited:
Had mine scanned today and have the following code:

Boost Pressure Regulation Control Range Not Reached P0299 Short With Power Intermittent

Took off the actuator plug but could see no corrosion at all, I had no switch cleaner so plugged it back in. No difference at all (I wasn't expecting a lot tbh)
I still have no boost so have to baby the car about until I can get to the bottom of it :(

Ross tech has the following to say:

Possible Causes:-
Hoses/Pipes incorrect connected, disconnected or leaking
Charger Pressure Control defective
Turbocharger faulty
Diverter Valve faulty


Possible Solutions:-
Check Hoses/Pipes to/between Components
Check / Clean / Replace Charge Pressure Control
Check Turbocharger
Check Diverter Valve
 
Cheers, It's back at the garage I bought it from for them to take a look under warranty but I shall mention the actuator to them.
 
Sorry to revive the thread gents but my car has the same problem. 170 pd engine. Cleaned the EGR valve on Sunday which wasn't too bad tbh, put it all back together and problem still there. AA man popped all the hoses off and had a play with the turbo and seemed to think the turbo was fine. No play or anything. Garage just phoned saying it was potentially the actuator but that his parts guy only sells it as a complete unit with the turbo. Now I'm not sure but I thought the actuator was a completely separate part? Is there a second actuator that I've missed and does indeed require a replacement turbo? Or am I correct in thinking that there is just the one down near the EGR valve? Please help. Need her fixed for Saturday.
 
I'm going through the same problems with my a4 3.0tdi (b7) and actuator can be bought separately but there is problems getting them programmed, and by the time you've messed about the price of sorted a new actuator comes to same cost as a new turbos, which comes with one pre installed ( this is all just what I've been told from various garages)
I've still not got a solution to my car yet. Don't know wether to go ahead and change turbo, or to try a DPF removal and get a remap do e at same time. Or maybe both... Just a bit costly...
 
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