ExPassat

Hi, Im looking for a bit of help / advice on an ECU problem. I got hold of this pretty good quality car for the missus at the start of the year, but 7 months on its gone and developed an ECU problem. It began to have problems starting a couple of weeks ago, and VW main dealer diagnosed an ECU fault - but also quoted £1500 to replace it! My local independent (Dorchester Motors) recommended someone (Kane Automotive engineering) to look at it. They seemed completely certain that the ECU could be repaired, and then sent it off to someone. That someone turned out to be an outfit called BBA REMAN, who completely failed to diagnose the fault within the ECU, let alone fix it. BBA Reman seem to have poor reviews of this sort of thing.... is it worth going to someone else (ive heard good things about ECU Doctor down in Plymouth), or should I just bite the bullet and hand over 1500 notes to the Main Stealer?

Well, I had an "interesting" time yesterday after breaking down on the M42, car starting juddering and "engine fault - workshop came up". Luckily I invested in all singing, all dancing Green Flag cover this year. The Green flag quickly diagnosed the No.1 injector had gone. However later we noticed some diesel leaking - is that due to the injector blocking, or was the injector fault due to the fuel leak? My garage reckons about £300 for a new injector. Needless to stay, I think this is the end of the road for this car with me, I think I'll be selling up once its fixed. If anyone's wondering it seems that the economic life of an Octavia 1.6tdi seems to be 6 years and 112K miles.

Ok, it seemed fine but on a drive up to Hereford the engine light came on and stayed on. I'm going to take it in tomorrow, but any ideas what they've done wrong? Car drives fine btw - hasn't gone into get you home mode or anything.

It started happening on a more regular basis so I had it into the garage. They quickly diagnoses a DPF flow sensor problem, and have replaced the sensor at a cost of £140. Apparently it happens a lot on these cars/engines.

Mine did he same a couple of weeks ago - light didnt stay on though, and hasnt happened since.

I see the old "they all do that sir" is still going strong at the main stealers! Glad it got sorted for you.

Like I say, I had it checked the first time it came up and nothing, then I asked them to check it during the service last month, nothing. Ill book it in soon to let them have another go, but Im wondering if it will show anything if the light has cleared and not come up for a week?

So this came up about a minute after start up last week, just before a 50 mile drive to Bath last wednesday, Actually it came up 3 times in today in the first 5 minutes of driving, then cleared and didnt come up again. Its done this (rarely) before, usually just after startup, and clears down immediately. Last year I had it into the garage to check it after such an incident, and the VAG came up with nothing. It also had a full service and MOT last month, with no sign of trouble. Ive driven about 1000 miles since last wednesday (scunthorpe and back, then harrogate and back), with no repeat. Engine sounds sweet, not labouring or making any abnormal noises. Any ideas? Maybe a bit of water in the wiring (it was raining really heavily when it happened last week).

I had those exact same problems at the start of the year - it was a dead alternator.

I think they come on for a second then turn off - if theres no problem that is!

My 10 reg, 106k miles octavia salied through its MOT this year, with the only advisory being a chip on the windscreen. You probably see a lot of this at BRISKODA, but I was surprised as last years MOT failed on both front wheel bearings. Happy days!

Theyre being deliberately difficult. Ive always been told that theyll always stonewall you unless you get the lawyers in.

Thanks all, If it hadnt been for your encouragement I might have given up!

FINALLY! The other side's insurance has accepted liability "without prejudice", which means that she could pursue me independently. But as she hasnt bothered to answer emails, letters etc that seems unlikely. My excess is waived! No claims unaffected!

Thanks for your advice, its helpful to have an expert's opinion. No I havent had the repairs done as yet - I was damned if I was going to saddled with the excess when it clearly wasnt my fault (and the damage wasnt severe). A hire car is part of my insurance policy, but yes, they want to get that money either from my policy or the other side. Ill only take one once the repairs are being done on their insurance. I had a similar situation a couple years ago when my neighbour took the front off my car when it was parked. She admitted full responsibility, everything was sorted out the same day and it made almost no difference to the cost of my policy. So I dont expect it to do so this time. If it does, Ill probably shop around for another insurer. I have everything with one provider (house,2 cars, dog) - so its in their interest to keep me sweet. I know thats probably not how it works, but im offski if I think im getting screwed!