Hi all. Odd question I know...car had usual mk3 fault on holiday..flashing glow plug light and reduced power. I'd had a boost pressure sensor replaced by Skoda Assist several weeks earlier,after having the same symptoms,and since then it has run perfectly.

However,the same symptoms appeared recently whilst on holiday,and the Assist technician suggested that we get the car to the nearest dealer. They diagnosed an ECU fault,which tbh surprised me. I used to work for VW,and can't ever remember us replacing an ECU,and my wife is a warranty administrator for vw,and hasn't had a claim for an ECU that she can remember.

We had the car recovered by Assist to our local dealer,as suggested by Customer Care,and it is due to be looked at and diagnosed on Monday. The service manager was also surprised when I told him what the original dealers diagnosis was.

So,my question is....has anyone had to have a new ECU on their mk3? It's under warranty,so no issues there,but I'm just curious,as it seems an unusual fault.

Thanks in advance guys,

Ask the Manager and your good lady why 'New Replacement ECU's can be with the dealership within 36 hours, and they might just give it some thought and it is because ECU's can fail and replacements are available.

If not available or even needed there would be no need for OEM replacements.

New ECU is on factory back-order for 10 days apparently,according to the first dealer. As I mentioned,I used to work in the motor trade,so I appreciate probably more than most people,that cars-even new cars,can and do go faulty/break down. I'm just wondering how common ECU failures are on mk3 Occy's,as I've not heard of one going before. Had a (admittedly quick)search on here,but didn't come across any.

Its under warranty,so will be sorted asap,so not a major issue in that respect. Just curious more than anything really

I used to have a Rapid 1.6 tdi and that needed a replacement ECU (and one injector as well).   Also under warranty, replacement ECU out of stock/on back-order, so had 10 days riding around in a Golf kindly supplied by Skoda Assist.

 

I eventually collected it.    Drive home was 12 miles.    It managed 10 before the glowplug light started flashing again and it reverted to its favoured operational mode (i.e. running on 3 cylinders).   My next car will have a 3 cylinder engine since I've learned that they suit me quite well.

 

I got rid of the car at the end of the warranty period.   On a positive note, I found that Skoda Assist were always very helpful (and were the best part of the 'ownership experience' ).

My guess would be that you have the same Boost Pressure Sensor fault & the dealer didnt rectify the problem properly.

There were lots of people who had the same "correction" more than once, I think one guy on here had the sensor replaced 3 times.

 

I think the final fix should include a rework to the wiring of the boost pressure sensor connector.

 

 

I'm not sure how VW work for replacing warrenty parts but my suspicion would be that replacing the ECU gives the dealer a nice price from VW whilst only taking a few minutes to change. They know you are on Holiday so wont return to them in a week when the same issue comes back so are making the most out of it.