How do I know whether my 4x4 / Haldex is working properly?

[sandspider]

Hi all

 

As above, really. I have a 2011 Scout, with the Haldex 4x4 system. Should there be a bulb lit up on the dash or anything to indicate when it's working? (I.e. when it's sharing more power to the back wheels, not the default 10% to back wheels(?), 90% to front). I've not driven it seriously off road, but have had it in some mud, and I can't really tell if anything is happening. Car gets through the mud OK but feels a bit waddly and slippery, not as confident as I was expecting. (This is on road tyres, so possibly that's why). I think my Haldex system needs a filter and oil change anyway, but it would be nice to know how I can tell if it's working?

 

Thank you.

 

SS

[Rooted]

Sorry not an answer to your question.

Did your Haldex get a Service / Oil change in 2014, and again in 2017, if not it certainly is due an oil change.

[sandspider]

Well, the seller told me it had been done, but I can't find anything in the paperwork to confirm that. And the car seems to "catch" a bit when pulling away, which I suspect might be to do with the Haldex system. I'll have it changed anyway, to be safe.

[Guest]

There is no visual indication the system  is activated, it works  automatically. 

 

Things you may wish to consider:

The state of your tyres, are they all around  the same tread depth?  IIRC if there is a large difference in tread  depth between tyres on the same axle, it can damage the system.  

Are they a decent brand? 

Are all the tyres the same brand or a hodge podge of different brands/various quality? 

Confirm via any servicing documentation the haldex oil service has been carried out. 

If no service documentation provided, contact your local Škoda dealer and see if it is on their records as being done. As yours is 2011, it should have 2 haldex oil changes carried out; every 3 years or 37k miles, whatever it reaches first. 

The service is approximately £65 so it may be worth just getting it done even if just to put your mind at ease. 

Edited 29 January, 2018 by Guest
Fat fingers!

[sandspider]

Thanks Fin.

 

Tyres have decent tread, and are Falken on the front and something decent on the back - matching on each axle. Will check deeper into the paperwork I have, but I will get the haldex oil and filter changed anyway - can't hurt. I assume it's a fairly simple job, doesn't need a specialist VAG garage or anything?

[cheshire_cat]

as long as the correct "oil" goes in the correct holes   NB  the rear has gear oil AND Haldex oil

1 hour ago, sandspider said:

Thanks Fin.

 

Tyres have decent tread, and are Falken on the front and something decent on the back - matching on each axle. Will check deeper into the paperwork I have, but I will get the haldex oil and filter changed anyway - can't hurt. I assume it's a fairly simple job, doesn't need a specialist VAG garage or anything?

 

[sandspider]

[Sad555]

Haldex pumps do fail,had this on the yeti ,I suspected it for some time but without any off-road activity had a job to confirm but noticed giving it a lot of throttle in the wet on a quiet roundabout front wheels started to bounce due to haldex not cutting in.

[sandspider]

Haven't managed to spin the wheels yet, but maybe I'm not trying hard enough!

[sandspider]

Well, I had the Haldex oil replaced, it seems there isn't a filter (or not an accessible one) on my car. Apparently the oil that came out was clean and looked much the same as the new oil going in!

 

The "catching" is still there when pulling away with the steering wheel on full lock, though I think it's less noticeable. Perhaps they all do that?

[RainbowFire]

From what I recall the re-allocation of power kicks in quite smoothly, so that's not really a give-away. Part of the setup is that the traction control seems to work in concert with the Haldex.

 

Personally I think I'd find somewhere a bit slippery, take a friend, put them about 10m to the side of the car, switch the traction control off and hit the floor with the throttle. Get them to see if there's wheel-spin from the back wheels. Having done this, and maybe not seeing spin, get the car scanned for errors to see if the car wanted to shift power around but couldn't.

 

My Scout still feels solid and sure-footed even when pushing it hard through the snow (on normal tyres), and I do agree that it would be nice if something actually told you that the system had engaged.

[sandspider]

As far as I can tell, my Haldex is working. (It was fine in the snow, never managed to spin a wheel...)

 

I was wondering really if the hesitation during pulling away is normal for a Haldex 4wd car? Or possibly something to do with the turbo starting up? Or if it's just my car? (I hoped the Haldex oil change would sort it, but it doesn't seem to have fixed it completely).

[sandspider]

There are no errors showing on the car. Not sure I have traction control, my Scout is a fairly basic spec.

[Guest]

Look for this button on the row  of switches below the climate control. 

 

If you need to switch it off, depress the button for 2-3 seconds and a yellow image of the button will appear on your speedometer. 

 

If you think the Scout is basic, be grateful you didn't buy an 'S'! 

The Scout is based on the 'SE' with a fair few extras, and Scout specific trim. 

[sandspider]

Thanks Fin, that does ring a bell. Perhaps I do have it!

[mark999]

On 21/03/2018 at 11:58, sandspider said:

Well, I had the Haldex oil replaced, it seems there isn't a filter (or not an accessible one) on my car. Apparently the oil that came out was clean and looked much the same as the new oil going in!

 

The "catching" is still there when pulling away with the steering wheel on full lock, though I think it's less noticeable. Perhaps they all do that?

There is a filter which is accessible I’ve just ordered one with fluid. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Filter-kit-Haldex-Oil-Audi-VW-TTS-TTRS-RS3-Golf-R-Tiguan-S3-A3-Quattro-Gen-4/173197190638?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

VAG in there wisdom don’t show it on the parts diagram.

[mikey vrs]

3 hours ago, mark999 said:

There is a filter which is accessible I’ve just ordered one with fluid. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Filter-kit-Haldex-Oil-Audi-VW-TTS-TTRS-RS3-Golf-R-Tiguan-S3-A3-Quattro-Gen-4/173197190638?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

VAG in there wisdom don’t show it on the parts diagram.

Id double check thats the correct oil & kit as my mk7 Golf R doesnt have a filter that is replaced like the older haldex,there is a small filter on the end of the haldex pump that blocks up (see my pictures). This was mine at 26,000 miles & 3 years old.

[mark999]

Hi, Apparently it’s the right kit for the Gen 4 Haldex on my Scout.  IIRC your mk7 golf is the Gen 5.

 

Cheers, Mark

 

[mikey vrs]

2 minutes ago, mark999 said:

Hi, Apparently it’s the right kit for the Gen 4 Haldex on my Scout.  IIRC your mk7 golf is the Gen 5.

 

Cheers, Mark

 

I did wonder if that maybe the case,just with the op saying no filter could be found,VW wont even sell the filter on its own on mine,you have to buy the pump complete! they wont even remove the pump & clean the filter as part of the oil change..madness as the pumps are failing due to the filter blocking up & the pump burning out. 

[mark999]

It’s very poor show on VAGs part. Much more profit In selling and fitting new units.

Lots of useful info at https://www.haldexrepairs.co.uk/

Cheers, Mark

[sandspider]

My garage checked with Skoda, who said no filter. And also a vag tuning place who said there might be one! Where would I look to check? And is it possible to change the filter without draining the fluid again? Pretty sure mine is haldex gen 4. Will go and have a look at the links above. Cheers.

[Twrecks]

There is a filter in the Haldex unit in FL Mk2 Scout.

This post may be helpful.

Scout and Superb have the same Haldex unit. After removing and cleaning the internal filter, my Haldex unit worked perfectly again.

[sandspider]

Thanks, that is useful. According to haldexrepairs.co.uk you need VCDS to tell the haldex pump to eject the filter for gen 4 Haldex! But according to the link above, looks like a big screwdriver will do the trick. Though I'm not sure what gen Haldex that is...

 

Bugger, better get it back to the garage or wait until the weather is warmer and have a look myself.

[sandspider]

Did anyone bleed the system after replacing fluid / filter? Apparently there's a procedure in VCDS for this...

[mikey vrs]

2 hours ago, sandspider said:

Did anyone bleed the system after replacing fluid / filter? Apparently there's a procedure in VCDS for this...

I didnt on mine but mine looks to be a newer version of haldex but with mine once id cleaned the filter & re fitted the pump & filled up with oil i took the car for a run then checked the oil level again & found it needed another 100ml of oil(you do loose some oil from the pump when removing it & the filter so a run gets oil back into the pump & it working).I wasnt having any problems though,mine was just a routine oil change & filter clean to avoid any potential issues.