Hello everyone, 

 

Just have a quick question about VCDS. I recently bought a HEX-V2 cable from Ross-Tech and have installed the software on my laptop. I bought the system partly to diagnose some issues with my PD 170 engine, but I also wanted to study up on the system and learn how to use it for future issues. I had no problems getting it connected and have run a scan for fault codes as well as play around a bit with the monitoring functions. Unfortunately, none of the fault codes concern the engine (which is having boost issues and drinking about 30% more fuel than it should). The only codes I got were for the air-con (which I already know has a leak and doesn't work), the door lights (which have been replaced with LEDs), and the radio (which has also been replaced with an aftermarket one). 

 

Curious, I unplugged the MAF sensor to see if this would produce a fault code. It didn't. I then unplugged the cable to the actuator on the turbo. Still no fault codes. Does this make any sense? 

 

I should add here that the ECU has had a stage 1 remap done at Avon Tuning in Bristol. Could this be the reason, or do these components only produce fault codes when they are plugged in and not working properly? 

9 hours ago, jronnquist said:

I should add here that the ECU has had a stage 1 remap done at Avon Tuning in Bristol. Could this be the reason, or do these components only produce fault codes when they are plugged in and not working properly? 

It's VERY common for some chip tuning companies to disable some component monitoring and/or fault code generation. This is a common topic on the Ross-Tech forum.

Yes, I can imagine why that might be. The more I play around with the monitoring blocks in VCDS, the more I'm having to study up on how it all comes together. And the more of that I do, the more obvious it becomes that the modern diesel engine, while still essentially simple as a machine, is now run by a very complex set of algorithms in the ECU. My second car was a MK2 Golf GTD (the little 1.6 TD with the top-mounted IC) and it was a dream to work on as it had no ECU. 

 

That said, there seems to be nothing in the car that isn't reporting to the ECU. Temp sensors are all good and coming back with figures in all the right ranges. MAF sensor (when plugged in) works well. Going to be spending the rest of the evening searching the web for more info on what I've recorded so far. Wish me luck. :-)