Hey all,

 

Some of you may have seen posts previously regarding the timing chain and rough running of this engine. The engine is now very quiet at idle after chain, tensioner and the valve timing pulley was changed. What's emerged now after me actually driving it - is that it doesn't idle very nicely at all and is rather lumpy up through the rev range. The car has had new plugs, coil packs very recently but this hasn't changed the running of the car. 

From trawling the ol' internet - her software version is really rather out of date and the new software fixes a multitude of these issues. Her current ecu software version is 5295, the latest I believe is 9700. First post I found with any info is this one, on briskoda itself 

 

 

Then after some further research I discovered a promising sounding post regarding the caxa lump on a russian forum : Engine software update 1.4 TSI CAXA (03C906016BM, v.9970) Volkswagen Golf 6 2012, activation of bluetooth and parktronics in Perm #vagcomperm — VAG-COM-PERM on DRIVE2

Ignore the title, but scroll down a little (edge should offer you to translate the page) and it lists the following changes thanks to this software update

 

As a result of updating the 1.4 TSI CAXA engine software according to the available TPI (2031250/1, 2019832/3, 2028838/2, etc.), the following problems are excluded:
- noise from the bottom or from the rear right side of the car
- loud clicks / knocks from the fuel
supply system - metal knocks at idle from the flange area of the KP / two-mass flywheel
- rattling noises at idle from the gearbox / dual-mass flywheel area.
- the cold engine does not start well and then works very unevenly,
sometimes only at 500 rpm. - Insufficient heating power, the engine does not warm up - at low outside temperatures: the heating power of the cabin is
insufficient, the coolant temperature indication falls, the engine does not warm up sufficiently
- the engine in the warm-up phase in the start-stop function stalls and then ceases to start. From the ignition key, it is possible to start the engine.
– the start-stop system does not work at times, the record is 05537 / P15A1 in the event
recorder – the engine stalls after prolonged operation in forced idling mode at very low speed or when maneuvering uphill. Immediately after that, the engine can be started.
– ABS indicator or OG control lamp is lit, errors 00262 / P0106 and 06419 / P1913
– dvig. CAXA (EU5): uneven operation in the warm-up phase at speeds
up to 3000 rpm - slight jitter/ vibration of the engine
when increasing speeds up to 3000 rpm in the warm-up phase - poor idle speed setting in the engine control unit. -
In the instrument cluster, a message about a failure from the control system of the OG lights up.

All these errors are typical for old versions of the software and are excluded in new ones.

In addition to correcting these shortcomings after updating the engine software, idle work is aligned, twitches at start are excluded, the acceleration dynamics becomes more linear, the response to pressing the accelerator pedal improves.

 

This sounds like exactly what I'm after with regards to the engine running, cold starting and idle speed etc. Soooooo I contacted the local branch of Skoda who said there are no updates for the car and that was that. Can anyone advise me where I can find out the latest software version for these cars? Skoda UK weren't very helpful and pointed me at the dealer. Does anyone here know how I can find out if this update is available without relying on the dealer? I guess the alternative option here is to take it and get it remapped which hopefully would solve all but I'd like to avoid putting the engine under any extra strain to fix this if possible.

 

Thank you so much.

Edited 24 September, 20214 yr by -mike-
Title a little clearer

You should check Erwin as that'll give you the TPI/TSB for your car.

 

If there are any engine software updates, that's where you'll find the information. Once you know a TPI/TSB exists, then you might have more chance at a dealers to get it done.

 

Without seeing an autoscan or similar, I can't suggest any likely updates...

10 hours ago, langers2k said:

You should check Erwin as that'll give you the TPI/TSB for your car.

 

If there are any engine software updates, that's where you'll find the information. Once you know a TPI/TSB exists, then you might have more chance at a dealers to get it done.

 

Without seeing an autoscan or similar, I can't suggest any likely updates...

 

Can I pay for access to erwin as a private individual? If so, any ideas of cost at all? I don't have VCDS myself to post a log, wondering if any other software can get you the info you would be able to form an opinion on? I've only got torque at my disposal and the guy with vcds is fifty miles or so away 😐 

 

Thank you for your reply

Yup. I've used it a few times to get wiring diagrams, service manuals and TPI/TSB's, If I recall, it's €7 + tax for an hour, other time periods are available too: https://erwin.skoda-auto.cz/erwin/showHome.do

 

If torque will give the SW and HW part numbers along with the SW version, that should be enough.

18 hours ago, langers2k said:

Yup. I've used it a few times to get wiring diagrams, service manuals and TPI/TSB's, If I recall, it's €7 + tax for an hour, other time periods are available too: https://erwin.skoda-auto.cz/erwin/showHome.do

 

If torque will give the SW and HW part numbers along with the SW version, that should be enough.

 

Torque isn't that clever but I had written down a large part of the engine portion so I could try and be a google mechanic (the worst kind!)....

 

Part No SW was 03c 906 016 AK

HW was 03c 906 016 C

SW version I assume was the 5295 that I had some luck looking up.

 

It also had something about a revision which was LCH12, though I'm not sure if that's useful to you. Thank you for your help.

Those HW/SW part numbers match up with some autoscans online:

Address 01: Engine (CAX)       Labels: 03C-906-016-CAX.clb
   Part No SW: 03C 906 016 AK    HW: 03C 906 016 C
   Component: MED17.5.5       G   5295  

 

There are three likely update files:

9970
9059
8177

 

9970 matches in to the post you mentioned and examples can be found online:

Address 01: Engine (CAX) Labels: 03C-906-016-CAX.clb
   Part No SW: 03C 906 016 AK HW: 03C 906 016 C
   Component: MED17.5.5 G 9970

 

So yes, I'd agree that 9970 is probably the latest SW version for you car and the dealer is being rubbish...

 

I'd be tempted to grab the TPI from erwin and present that to the dealer assuming your symptoms match the ones in the document

8 hours ago, langers2k said:

Those HW/SW part numbers match up with some autoscans online:

Address 01: Engine (CAX)       Labels: 03C-906-016-CAX.clb
   Part No SW: 03C 906 016 AK    HW: 03C 906 016 C
   Component: MED17.5.5       G   5295  

 

There are three likely update files:

9970
9059
8177

 

9970 matches in to the post you mentioned and examples can be found online:

Address 01: Engine (CAX) Labels: 03C-906-016-CAX.clb
   Part No SW: 03C 906 016 AK HW: 03C 906 016 C
   Component: MED17.5.5 G 9970

 

So yes, I'd agree that 9970 is probably the latest SW version for you car and the dealer is being rubbish...

 

I'd be tempted to grab the TPI from erwin and present that to the dealer assuming your symptoms match the ones in the document

You're a gent, thank you sir! I subbed up for the 1hr access and found three TPIs which mentioned that update. One of them being noises from the car at idle, another being the car failing to warm up during very cold months and the final one was for a hard brake pedal after starting the car. Apologies for naming them all, figured it may help someone in the future if they experience any of those issues. 

Here's hoping they'll actually be bothered to help now - I don't care about paying for it, I just want it done!

 

Thanks again

Good luck!

 

I probably have the update files somewhere but you'll need to find someone with ODIS or VCP to flash them (VCDS can't).

On 27/09/2021 at 07:16, langers2k said:

Good luck!

 

I probably have the update files somewhere but you'll need to find someone with ODIS or VCP to flash them (VCDS can't).

Thank you for your help - managed to get them to do it after finding something detailing the update on erwin! Drives much better now, but having played around with it myself........ it has other issues! Thread incoming.

On 21/10/2021 at 12:00, -mike- said:

Thank you for your help - managed to get them to do it after finding something detailing the update on erwin! Drives much better now, but having played around with it myself........ it has other issues! Thread incoming.

Hey Mike, have you had the ECU updated finally?

What other  issues arised?

Has the engine slow-warming improved?

41 minutes ago, AVHreplica said:

Hey Mike, have you had the ECU updated finally?

What other  issues arised?

Has the engine slow-warming improved?

 

Hey,

 

The ECU was updated, made the car much nicer to drive - seems to have improved throttle response though that could just be manipulation of pedal to % in the ecu now - I don't know! Other problems still remain, most irritating is the misfire on cylinder 4 which just can't be got rid of currently! Don't get me wrong, when you put your foot down it actually moves well for the amount of power / torque it has but the idle has me stumped currently and it's not a nice place to sit in traffic / at lights etc!  With the latest software version, you can request that the warm up of the engine is sped up, I believe this is probably at the expense of fuel but it may be worth it if you're living in a colder climate!

 

Best wishes

As regarding misfiring, what type of fuel you're using, have you tried a richer one?

I've heard this can improve related things (and not only)

1 hour ago, AVHreplica said:

As regarding misfiring, what type of fuel you're using, have you tried a richer one?

I've heard this can improve related things (and not only)

Using Tesco Super Unleaded which I believe is 99/100 octane. It never gets the cheap stuff, certainly not now that they've effectively watered down the standard petrol! We only have normal/super unleaded here. 

I doubt it down to the fuel.

 

I only use standard 95 Unleaded E10 and have done for over a year.

 

Idle is rock solid and it's hard to tell the engine is even running while sat at lights etc.

 

I also saw something about that engine warm up while playing with VCDS.

 

I also saw some option about whether to keep the engine running a bit warmer or cooler.

 

Might have a look about changing them for winter. We had temps down to -18c last winter.