Hi,

 

Running diagnostics after the preheating and exhaust orange warning lights came on last week and the car forced me to visit the nearest workshop, 2 non-cancellable errors were found in addition to the real cause (failed injector): 3FE1 and 3FE3. From the Italian and sparse internet information on these errors I understand that they have to do with the powersteering, which apparently has 2 defective components.

 

The feature seems to work OK though. I do have an impression it's a bit heavier than usual at some speeds, but that can just as well be my imagination (knowing about the errors) and the fact the tyres must react a bit differently because of the heat.

 

Does anyone know what these error codes really mean? The Italian mechanic who explained the print-out to me talked about the brake light switch (the one linked to the brake pedal). Even I can see from the Italian text that you cannot mistake the error message for something about the brake light, so either he suffered a brain fart or else knows something from experience?

 

Either way, how (un)likely is it that errors like those are recorded because of a transient glitch? Or, given they apparently cannot be cancelled, that they've been there since who knows how long already?

 

Thanks!

Both of those codes are in hex which won't help you find any info from rosstech/VCDS. Converting them to decimal gives 16353 and 16355, googling these do show some power steering related issues.

 

Just as an example:

 

 

 

Address 44: Steering Assist Labels: 1Kx-909-14x.lbl
Part No: 1K0 909 144 H
Component: EPS_ZFLS Kl. 70 2901 
Revision: 00H15000 
Shop #: WSC 00028 028 00001
VCID: 2F660D30C76F

2 Faults Found:
16353 - Control Module - Internal Malfunction 
014 - Defective
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01101110
Fault Priority: 6
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 228
Mileage: 0 km
Time Indication: 0

Freeze Frame:
Battery Volts: 0.0 V
PD
Temperature: -70.0∞C
Error Code: 0
Torque: 0.0 Nm
Torque: 0.000 Nm
RPM: 0 /min

16355 - Control Module - Watchdog Timer 
014 - Defective - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00101110
Fault Priority: 6
Fault Frequency: 1
Mileage: 0 km
Time Indication: 0

Freeze Frame:
Voltage: 0.00 V
PD
Temperature: -70.0∞C
Count: 0
Count: 0
Count: 0
Count: 0

 

There doesn't seem to be a solid cause/solution from the threads I found but steering force is mentioned as a symptom. The only 'fix' mentioned is replacing the steering rack which is quite costly.

 

There might be a cheaper alternative solution though...

 

I can't be sure without a VCDS autoscan, but I believe your car is a facelift and will have a 3rd gen steering rack (part number starts with 1K0 909 144). In which case, there is probably a newer software version (SW:3501) for the steering rack and updating it may fix any software issues. Obviously if there is a hardware fault or physical damage it won't make any difference but it's probably a good place to start. Only down side of the update is finding someone to do it as you'll need ODIS-e or VCP (VCDS can't do updates).

 

Not sure if a Skoda dealer would do it for you (I think it's TPI 2020089/12) but if you're ever in the UK near me I'd be happy to take a look.

Curious that one finds the error codes translated back to decimal and not as hex (if they're usually reported in hex), but well.

 

Knowing the price for "simple" parts like the injectors or the EGR valve I'm almost afraid to ask what "quite costly" means. Do I have to understand that the parts corresponding to the 3EF1,3 errors can be replaced only by replacing the whole mechanical system that's linked to the steering wheel??

 

If those indeed are software errors that would fit with what I've been guessing: errors caused by hopefully transient borderline situations that the software isn't written to handle. I don't really see what else can go wrong with software (firmware) components that would be addressed by a software update.

 

Indeed, my Skoda is a facelift model - are there even earlier models with the 1.6 TDI CR engine? What does "TPI 2020089/12" stand for (and why would an official service centre refuse to check for possibly required software/mapping updates and apply them)? I live within 10km from the nationwide VAG import/distribution centre; they do have a workshop for "mere mortal clients", which I usually avoid going to because they don't have that good of a reputation as a workshop (but they made no fuss a while back when I asked if they could figure out how to get the DRLs in the fog light clusters to work).

Bad software can cause many problems
 
TPI's (Technical Product Information) are normally a set of instructions to diagnose and fix known issues.
 
Just looked through my records and found a Skoda specific TPI. The number I gave previously might be for another brand where as TPI 2020182/5 is one I found on erWin online using my VIN, it's the official Skoda workshop manuals and you can access it for a small fee: https://erwin.skoda-auto.cz
 
Some Skoda dealers don't believe customers are ever right and will refuse to admit there is an issue, if you find a good dealer you'll be fine. You might need to pay for an hours labour to get the update but it's a good place to start. Even more so when a replacement rack is probably €1000+ from a dealer without fitting or any extra parts that might be needed.
 
Anyway, the TPI is below, it looks strikingly similar with two of the error codes you mentioned.
 

Technical product information
 
Transaction No.: 2020182/5
Release date: 28-Jun-2013 
 
Warning lamp for power steering is on, fault numbers 16344, 16355 and 16353
 
Customer statement / workshop findings
The power steering of the 3rd generation does not work and the power steering warning lamp on the instrument panel comes on.
• During PLA parking
• Very quick steering wheel maneuvering while reversing
• Short-term undervoltage <6V
 
In the power steering control unit fault memory, the faults 16353, 16344 and 16355 are stored. The faults cannot be deleted.
 
Summary of SW versions

Old version – to be updated
Control unit    SW
1K0.909.144.C   2301
1K0.909.144.E   2501
1K0.909.144.H   2901
1K0.909.144.J   3001
1K0.909.144.M   3201
1K0.909.144.N   3301
1K0.909.144.P   3305

Production change
SW 3001 (1K0.909.144.R), production series introduction since CW 22/2013.
 
Measure
Update the SW of the power steering control unit. Update performed via measure code 30E1.
After the update, the following steps are to be taken:
1. Adaptation + basic setting of the steering wheel angle sender
2. Adapting the DSR function(driver steering recommendation – steering assistant)
3. Adapting the boosting characteristics of the power steering

Warranty accounting instructions
4835 2599 Power steering, control unit update 70 TUs

 

Don't tell me what bad software can do, I spend my days trying to code good software

 

I have a hunch that these errors may also arise when slow-stalling the engine during something like a parking manoeuvre. In 30k km I haven't yet adapted to what I think is a very short 1st gear combined with a clutch with a rather short pedal course but that does require pushing in the pedal quite far. So yeah, I still stall quite often, and it's not rare that I can feel the powersteering drop out when the engine stops.

 

Either way, I understand the description that these are indeed transient errors that apparently shouldn't become chronic. I'm supposed to receive an emission-gate recall notice for which I'll have to go to a VAG dealer anyway. The announcement invites us to use the occasion to have other things addressed, and asking to apply all available software, firmware and mapping updates clearly is something that'd fall into that category and can wait until then.

 

You wouldn't be able to copy/paste the French translation of that TPI, by chance?

Edited 16 August, 20169 yr by RJVB

I pay for erwin by the hour when I need it so I haven't got access at the moment.

 

You can get an hours access for ~€7 and should be able to find the same TPI (and may others) using your VIN number and the site I mentioned previously. Not sure if the TPI's are localised so it may not be in French.

 

If I do need to access erwin any time soon, I'll see what I can do

OK, thanks. I'll try to have a look myself too. It doesn't seem very costly indeed (just *another* expense I should have hoped to avoid...), question is just how much overhead there is for a one-time access.

On 2nd thought: I ought to check if my mechanic knows about the site.