As per the title mine is going into limp mode on map 1.2 and 3 in the cold weather. I haven't used Plus 1 or 2 on any setting as its even worse. Its getting to the stage where the car doesn't feel reliable with it on at all. I came to work tonight with the lap top and vcds lead as it needs clearing down each time  or I'm stuck. It's been fine with it off for a month but as soon as its on it shows boost issue 

 Just wondered if anyone else had problems it's minus 4 degrees at the moment. I think come the weekend it's coming off for good. 

Probably get more helpful responses if you said what version of DTUK box you have fitted, how long you have had it installed, and experiences in more temperate weather.

Have you contacted DTUK with your problems and given them a chance to address your issues directly? Others have reported their after sales service can be very good.

Edited 1 March, 20188 yr by Gerrycan

It's the Crd3 and it's 12 months old. The only time I've had issues in the summer was when it was on plus 3 on any  programme setting. I always experience problems when temperatures  get to the zero and below mark. Sometimes once a week other times like today every time I started the engine. I have contacted dtuk and they have told me to go to basic programme settings which I have done. Wiring is fine again they asked me to check. However why does it work for weeks on end when the temperature goes above freezing. 

If you are just poodling around all the time in the city you will have these problems. You need to trash it, when warmed of course.

Diesels don't like extra boost pressure when the air is very cold, too high a density of air.

 

Have you tried running in the minuses ? might help especially as your car doesn't like very high (+3) in good weather

Hmmm I had a proper map and not a box and it’s perfectly fine ;-0

My CRD3 is on 2 +2 and it's been fine (touch wood)

 

I am expecting codes tho!

Edited 1 March, 20188 yr by mk4gtiturbo

No issues with mine but I’m barely using anything over tickover due to the snow covered roads 

8 hours ago, themanwithnoaim said:

Diesels don't like extra boost pressure when the air is very cold, too high a density of air.

 

Have you tried running in the minuses ? might help especially as your car doesn't like very high (+3) in good weather

Yeah I Did that on minus 2 still same. Oh well ill take it off I think although did 10 miles in minus 5 temperatures last night no problems on setting 1.

I could only ever use mine on 2+0, and had no issues in the cold weather. 

 

As an aside, I had warming lights flash up early on when I first fitted it using the +2 and +1 settings in any programme, plus my OBD reader indicates a fault code almost there permanently. Took it to be serviced yesterday obviously after removing the box, mentioned the warning lamps, but they couldn't find any codes or history. Make what you will of that. I'm going to persevere again with 2+1 as 0 doesn't add a huge amount of performance

I have one on my Leon (same 184 engine) and I am also suffering from this regularly. It used to just go into limp mode, then clear overnight, but of late its actually started to konk out at low revs, then the car will not restart, and I have to push it to the side of the road as it always seems to happen at traffic lights.... Ive been running on map 2. Car is a 2014 and the DTUK box is a CRD3+

 

I'm trying to investigate whether fitting a higher base set boost sensor may help as this seems to be the thing that causes the problem. I think the 184 engines have a 3 bar MAP sensor, so maybe a 4 bar from another VAG engine might help? Anyone got any thoughts on that route?

Clutching at straws here as currently I have removed the box and put the connector block in so its back to boring standard... its such a transformation with the box fitted that I would like to be able to sort this out, but am definitely at my wits end....

 

 

Have any of you guys contacted Andy at DTUK ?

 

I've always found them very helpful if tinged with a little northern humour !

Yes, he wasn't realty very helpful for me, just suggested turning it down. Id rather that he was able to give some advice on an uprated or alternative MAP sensor, id happily buy one and run the box if I knew which one to buy

Is this just a VAG TDi problem? I assume the TSI owners haven’t had the same issues. 

I cant speak for the others, but the only issues I ever see reported are on the diesel VAG engines which seem to go into limp mode a lot....

I was able to run mine up to +3 even in the cold weather but even with winter tyres on it spins up too readily out of junctions even with gentle throttle. I’ve not ran it below +2 since installing it but I’m not using the same engine as you guys now.

Those that have had problems have you tried pulling apart the DTUK connector plugs and using a bit of dielectric grease to ensure damp free contacts. 

5 hours ago, ukoldschool said:

I have one on my Leon (same 184 engine) and I am also suffering from this regularly. It used to just go into limp mode, then clear overnight, but of late its actually started to konk out at low revs, then the car will not restart, and I have to push it to the side of the road as it always seems to happen at traffic lights.... Ive been running on map 2. Car is a 2014 and the DTUK box is a CRD3+

 

I'm trying to investigate whether fitting a higher base set boost sensor may help as this seems to be the thing that causes the problem. I think the 184 engines have a 3 bar MAP sensor, so maybe a 4 bar from another VAG engine might help? Anyone got any thoughts on that route?

Clutching at straws here as currently I have removed the box and put the connector block in so its back to boring standard... its such a transformation with the box fitted that I would like to be able to sort this out, but am definitely at my wits end....

 

 

 

Maybe you just need to turn it down? Moy box on 2 - 0 has an improvement but it's not stunning by any means. 2+1 is strong but not tarmac shredding, nowehere near as strong as a good remap. Maybe yours just has a bigger effect if it's such a big transformation?

 

4 hours ago, CWARD said:

I was able to run mine up to +3 even in the cold weather but even with winter tyres on it spins up too readily out of junctions even with gentle throttle. I’ve not ran it below +2 since installing it but I’m not using the same engine as you guys now.

Those that have had problems have you tried pulling apart the DTUK connector plugs and using a bit of dielectric grease to ensure damp free contacts. 

 

I'm concerned about the frailty and lack of sealing on the connectors too, this is a great bit of advice - where do you suggest adding the grease?

Yeah its just diesels that suffer in winter, my 245's tunningbox resides in 3+3 all year long & has no problems other than actually transferring the power through the tyres ! 

6 hours ago, themanwithnoaim said:

I've always found them very helpful if tinged with a little northern humour !

 

you mean taking the **** out of southern jesses? 

1 hour ago, stever750 said:

 

I'm concerned about the frailty and lack of sealing on the connectors too, this is a great bit of advice - where do you suggest adding the grease?

 

You apply the grease to the female side of the connectors 

2 hours ago, themanwithnoaim said:

Yeah its just diesels that suffer in winter, my 245's tunningbox resides in 3+3 all year long & has no problems other than actually transferring the power through the tyres ! 

Ever had a warning lamp flash up?

 

Seems that the diesels have a much more sensitive threshold on the rail pressure, which isn't surprising perhaps. Changing the sensor won't help, the answer is a remap.

2 hours ago, stever750 said:

Ever had a warning lamp flash up?

Nope

Must rethink on this cooler denser air thing and why Turbo Diesels get Intercoolers.

14 hours ago, AwaoffSki said:

Must rethink on this cooler denser air thing and why Turbo Diesels get Intercoolers.

 

I think the winter / cooler / more dense air theory isn't valid. A turbo charger uses a pressure sensor, which is effectively the density of the air presented to the engine, the intercooler is to there to improve the volumetric efficiency, since compressing air makes it get very hot, which reduces the density and works the turbo harder etc etc. In the winter, the turbo isn't working quite as hard, as the intake is of higher density than it is on a hot summers day at altitude. Hard to see how the boost pressure sensor, which is measuring the air density AFTER the turbo and intercooler can be affected by input air temps. Maybe I'm missing something though?

I think it is valid, so we will need to disagree.

Plus ask the question, how much colder the weather the OP is experiencing this at. 

Also question the Tuning box as a performance enhancer, rather than a remap of the Software that will have the engine perform perfectly well at Ambient Temps below 0*oC, 

just get the engine coolant, then oil so the engine to an efficient operating temperature, it will just love the cooler denser air, 

so with a 2.0TDI that is going to be over 6 miles and better over 10 miles, as cold oil, cold dense air, turbo at greater risk.

so regardless of that engine type be that N/A, or Turbo Petrols, Diesels or other fuels like LPG near freezing weather should not

cause loss as much loss of efficiency as hot weather and heat soak, and engine energy required to cool oil.

 

PS

There is something affecting readings, affecting the factory engine management & that is the Tuning Box. 

Edited 18 March, 20188 yr by AwaoffSki