Hello all,

first post on this forum. I have recently purchased a 2nd hand Superb 2 4x4 about 1 month ago. My first Skoda actually.

The problems are already piling up.

She only has about 70k KM on the clock too. First issue was water in the footwell which I assumed was a broken water pipe from the panoramic roof. It was broken, but Skoda sent me some nice photos of how the complete frame is also broken... 2k€ Nice!

 

So today it was a bit rainy outside. I am normally a pretty conservative driver, but today I gave it the beans at a stop light. I was expecting some 4x4 help. Nope. I just sat there. Front wheels spinning like a jacka$$.

Okay... I tried it a couple more times. Same result. Nothing from the rear end.

There is gravel hill off one of the B roads on the way home which goes up a rather steep grade.

I gave that a shot. Just the front wheels spinning until the traction control took over and dumped all the power to the wheels to stop the spinning.

So, I guess the system is stuffed?

 

I had a look under the car before a bought it and I have to say that I didnt see a lick of rust under it. I ran my vag com scanner and it came up empty.

Any thought on how I should trouble shoot this? I am reluctant to spend another 2k on this crap box.

I am handy with a wrench, but I have never touched a Haldex system and do not even know how it really works. I only know that in my case, it doesnt work

 

Hey... anyone want to swap a rust free superB with all the options for an Amarok?

First thing (slightly obvious and probably a bit silly) - is it actually a 4x4? It wouldn't be the first time someone stuck a badge on the back of a car that didn't belong there.

 

Has the Haldex unit been serviced? They need regular fluid changes and get unhappy if they're not done.

 

Have you connected VCDS to the Haldex controller to see if anything's going on there? If it's malfunctioning, it should be reporting something.

Do you have access to a lift? Put the car up on it, put the car into gear at idle and then run the output tests on the Haldex controller to see if it responds to those? While you're up there, check that the prop shaft from the main gearbox is turning when the car's in gear. (Obviously, be careful under a car when wheels/shafts are moving!)

Can you physically see the haldex unit where the rear differential should be? Are there driveshafts coming from it to the wheels? Is there a propshaft from the front? As above, I have seen quite a few FWDs with 4x4 badges stuck on them.

Ok, I ran another scan and I must have done something wrong because now it shows faults.

 

1 Fault Found:
00448 - Haldex Clutch Pump (V181)
            011 - Open Circuit - Intermittent
             Freeze Frame:
                    Fault Status: 11000000
                    Fault Priority: 2
                    Fault Frequency: 57
                    Reset counter: 48
                    Mileage: 3618101 km
                    Time Indication: 4

 

Seems like it is the pump. I tried an output test and it showed 0 Amps. Perhaps a connection??

Ok. Next stupid question. Where is the pump actually located on the car?

The whole system is in the rear, between the back wheels. The front end is dumb with no mechanicals beyond the propshaft PTO from the front differential.

 

Have you checked the fuses? Easy place to start. Then the connectors for the Haldex unit.

 

Does the traction control light turn on when you press the button to turn it off? If not, the fault may have been known and hidden by disabling the bulb.

Edited 22 March, 201610 yr by Huskoda

First thing (slightly obvious and probably a bit silly) - is it actually a 4x4? It wouldn't be the first time someone stuck a badge on the back of a car that didn't belong there.

 

Has the Haldex unit been serviced? They need regular fluid changes and get unhappy if they're not done.

 

Have you connected VCDS to the Haldex controller to see if anything's going on there? If it's malfunctioning, it should be reporting something.

Do you have access to a lift? Put the car up on it, put the car into gear at idle and then run the output tests on the Haldex controller to see if it responds to those? While you're up there, check that the prop shaft from the main gearbox is turning when the car's in gear. (Obviously, be careful under a car when wheels/shafts are moving!)

lol. Yeah. I actually checked that.

Drive shafts and everything. I have scanned it and the modules are all there too. With the above fault codes. It seems that the fellow had issues since 36k miles.

The whole system is in the rear, between the back wheels. The front end is dumb with no mechanicals beyond the propshaft PTO from the front differential.

 

Have you checked the fuses? Easy place to start. Then the connectors for the Haldex unit.

 

Does the traction control light turn on when you press the button to turn it off? If not, the fault may have been known and hidden by disabling the bulb.

 

I checked them visually. Not with a multi meter since my tools are all still in a shipping container on the way to Germany. They didnt appear to have a fault.

Just to double check, does anyone know which fuse is the haldex one?

Good luck finding the fuse. If you do, could you let us know which one it is!

I had an issue on my 4x4 combi with the seat electrics. I could not see which fuse it was from the handbook, I was reluctant to start pulling random fuses so phoned the dealer. They had no clue either , apparently different builds have different layouts and without seeing it....and so said to bring the car in to find said fuse.

Turned out it was a connector that had failed. I am still none the wiser as to which fuse does what.

Edited 22 March, 201610 yr by Bristolf2b

Check the Haldex controller too, they have a habit of corroding and then throwing up random fault codes due to the water ingress.

 

It is the shiny thing on the left of this image. Check yours to see if it is rusty...

 

Ok, I ran another scan and I must have done something wrong because now it shows faults.

 

1 Fault Found:

00448 - Haldex Clutch Pump (V181)

            011 - Open Circuit - Intermittent

             Freeze Frame:

                    Fault Status: 11000000

                    Fault Priority: 2

                    Fault Frequency: 57

                    Reset counter: 48

                    Mileage: 3618101 km

                    Time Indication: 4

 

Seems like it is the pump. I tried an output test and it showed 0 Amps. Perhaps a connection??

Ok. Next stupid question. Where is the pump actually located on the car?

 

I recently had the same on my Yeti. Spinning front wheels and a distinct lack of progress at junctions & roundabouts when it was wet. Took it to the dealers (still in the extended warranty period) and they diagnosed a failed haldex clutch pump (funny that). The unit was replaced and it's now as good as new.

See here, got to be worth a try...

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/384716-haldex-pump-fault-0448-and-a-fix-also-changing-the-haldex-clutch-oil/

See here, got to be worth a try...

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/384716-haldex-pump-fault-0448-and-a-fix-also-changing-the-haldex-clutch-oil/

 

Yeah, for sure I will try that.

I also wanted to check the wire harness. 

I actually went to do that yesterday and ran across and issue. It seems that the control module needs to be removed in order to get that plug off. At least I can not get my hands in there to unlatch the clip.

Do I need to remove the oil before removing the module? Meaning, if I take that thing off, will oil come out?

I didnt want to try it since I have not haldex oil.

From the above post..


To remove the pump, you have to drain the haldex fluid from the haldex coupling (fluid part number g055175a2), remove the pump, do whatever you do with the pump, then refill until the fluid spills back out the fill hole (keeping the car level at all times)....

 

Right, that is clear regarding the pump. I am talking about the control module, which seems you must remove in order to pull the wire harness to check the connections. The shiny bit from the photo above.

When you remove the module there is minimal fluid loss.

Well.... a long time has passed and I finally got around to having my local Skoda deal swap out the Haldex pump(450€ including rental car) and holy crap, what a difference.

 

Even with all the wet roads the last days and with the DSG in "S" (slow or sport..not sure which) I am literally not able to spin the tires.

We had snow here the other night and I live on a hill which is a one-way, so you have to go up.

All morning cars were trying to get up and could not do it.

The superb went up with zero drama. No spinning at all. Could not believe what a difference it made with the system actually working.

Well.... a long time has passed and I finally got around to having my local Skoda deal swap out the Haldex pump(450€ including rental car) and holy crap, what a difference.

 

Even with all the wet roads the last days and with the DSG in "S" (slow or sport..not sure which) I am literally not able to spin the tires.

We had snow here the other night and I live on a hill which is a one-way, so you have to go up.

All morning cars were trying to get up and could not do it.

The superb went up with zero drama. No spinning at all. Could not believe what a difference it made with the system actually working.

 

Sold! I am definately getting the 4x4 version next time, thanks.

It's probably never had the haldex oil and filter changed,

Glad you got it sorted!

 

The haldex is great in mixed conditions. We don't have much winter around here really. But a few years back we had snow covered motorways... the superb was happily driving around freelanders and other 'capable' cars. I'm sure I would of got bested by a proper landrover mind :)

 

It's most useful though on wet roads exiting junctions or roundabouts.... those moments where you're a bit heavy and all of a sudden the tyres break grip... thats where it's really handy! Mind you, you pay a 20% economy tax for spinning the transmission when tootling along in "FWD" mode.

I'm sure I would of got bested by a proper landrover mind :)

Although proper Land Rovers also need proper tyres, this video always amuses me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ShJZnH3flQ

On my dirt bike with mud like that , I'd have it in third or fourth and flat out , producing a mighty rooster tail whilst emptying   the tread ;-)

I live in the south of France near the central massife and we get plenty of snow the Skoda is the best yet, especially now ive put crossclimates on it.The only thing is being low slung it does not like fresh snow if its too deep but on packed snow and ice its peerless.If conditions get too bad ive always got the L200 running on BFG A/Ts!

"S" is for Sport ;) and with 4x4 - when you hit it hard from the lights - you should easily beat other fwd/rwd cars - even with larger engines :) esp. if you have access to 2.0 170ps on steroids ;)

Edited 10 January, 20179 yr by jafo