I need advice or help,

This week, my 2002 Octy vRS, which is supposed to be on a longlife service interval has decided it needs servicing 10,000 miles early (the garage placed a sticker in the car with mileage to that effect).

Now, that was Wednesday. Friday evening, the engine light (orange) came up on the dash, to add insult to injury. Decided to check my oil etc. and it turns out it is, also, on the minium 'notch', just 9,000 miles after the last service (the car never used to burn oil too much, car now has 100k miles).

Just to top it off, I go to close my car, after a quick inspection, and the key fob stops locking or reopening the car. I got my spare, which did nothing for a while (I guess until it sync'ed with the ECU), but now I need to standing within 5 feet, litterally, for the key to open the car remotely, before I could open the car for my missus from about 10-15m away!!!

Car appears to be running OK. I changed the temp sender before, about 30k miles back, and I clean the MAF with special alcohol from time to time.

WTF is going on here :confused: ???

Rich

P.S. Is the anyone in/near Leicester who could do a VAG-COM on my car?

When did you last change the batteries in the key fobs, Rich? And are you really complaining that the car has used a pint or 2 of oil in 9000 miles? (I'm assuming from what you say that you haven't checked the oil level at all in that time.)

The service interval can be anywhere between 9320 and 18641 miles (ie 15,000 to 30,000km) on variable servicing - depending on how the car is driven etc.

DGW, I used to check the oil regularly (i.e. every 2 weeks) but during my first 55K miles of ownership (upto 90K), I never had to top it up even once, as it was always at a tolerable level, after regular services. OK, so the car now has 100K on the clock, so maybe the oil usage has changed (and I'll be keeping a closer eye on it in future).

As for the key fobs, no I've never changed the batteries, I was under the impression that they were sealed key units with a 7 year life span (can't remember where I got that info, please don't quote me ). Anyway, I've found this VWVortex link, seems simple enough. Still got engine lights though, and 9000 miles between services on 70 miles/day motorway-cruise-control mileage is pretty poor in my opinion, but as I didn't know about the fob battery, hey, what do I know?

Rich

I see now why you were caught out by the change in oil consumption, Rich. One litre/1000km is acceptable by the book, so your car's oil consumption is way within spec - but worth watching. And I agree that in your circumstances 9000 miles between services is not good. I wonder if the car was set correctly at the last service? I have VAG-COM but live about 45 miles from you near St Neots. We have a member in Peterborough with VAG-COM too. Using that you can reset the engine light, check for error codes, and check what service interval has been set. Finally, key fob batteries lasted 3½ years with light use. They are very straightforward to replace.

DGW,

thanks for the VAG offer, you're a true gent , only thing is 45 miles is a bit much to face, especially with a worrying engine light, but thanks again.

I've actually got a multiplex OBD interface, tried it today with VAG-COM but no luck (too many cables involved and a usb-serial adapter). I'm sure VAG is pointing at the com port being used by the usb-serial adapter, but outside of that nothing. I'll visit my garage Monday unless someone can offer me a VAG in Leicestershire before then.

thanks

Rich