Had the esp warning light come on last week, so took it down to IP (who were really helpful) they checked all the system over and all the connections but could find no 'actual' fault. They run the software and said the car wasnt finding the haldex ecu (so basically no 4x4 or abs was working). They then reset the faults and said to monitor the car, well it seemed to run fine until yesterday when the warning light came on and now i have no abs agan so am guessing its the same problem. Has anyone had any experience of this before or have any ideas? Im guessing its more electrical than mechanical? Is there anyway the haldex could overheat and turn itself off or is it more likely to be a dodgy connection?

thanks luca.

Interesting post Sweedish.

Am I right in saying your fault clears (the ESP light goes out) after an engine restart?

If so Ive also had this anomoly - twice in the 18 months ive owned the car.

I never could get to the bottom of why it did it but when I hook up vag com it has no problem connecting to the haldex controller - everything is 100% ok with it and it functions as it should.

Im also not convinced that when the ESP light permanently came on on those two occasions that I lost the 4x4 ability - power was still being transfered to the rear axel just fine. well certainly on the second and last time as Im sure I tried it for diagnostic purposes.

Im not that fussed by the issue on my car tbh as it has happened so rarely but Id love to know why it did it however!

Lee

Hi lee,

No my light is now permanently on, i guess it will stay there till i can reset it. I am considering getting some vag software or an equivalent (without spending a fortune) any ideas anyone?

Did your abs cut out when this happened?

I know this will sound silly, but I get this light when I have problems with the MAF (although, IIRC, a scan diagnoses the correct fault). I've never been able to get an answer as to why.

I had similar on my RS, about 300 miles later it put a rod through the block due to a faulty MAF.

apparently thats what Mike at IP thought it would be (via prior telephone conversation) however no faults came up for the MAF, am a bit worried its going to be something serious.

I had similar on my RS, about 300 miles later it put a rod through the block due to a faulty MAF.

I remember it well. It was a phone call with you that persuaded me not to drive my car the first time I had a MAF problem (a month or so after your DIY engine dismantling episode).

apparently thats what Mike at IP thought it would be (via prior telephone conversation) however no faults came up for the MAF, am a bit worried its going to be something serious.

No faults come with it if the MAF is failing rather than failed. It is still getting a reading, just an incorrect one so it see nothing wrong :( ie the car is getting 150g per minute of air but due to contamination of the MAF thinks it is only getting 80g, it then leans the engine off by only putting in the fuel for 80g air. Never did find out why it put on the warning light for ABS and ESP errors though, all I know is that it went bang and cost me about

so what do you recon is the best course of action tavia? what were the symptoms you had? I take it putting your esp light on? incedently my abs doesnt work however the abs sensor light is not up (as its the esp issue thats stopping it work) if that makes any sense??!

Luca, I'd try one of 2 courses:

1. Try borrowing a MAF to see if it is that

2. Get someone to clean your old one

If neither of those cure it, see if you can get a replacement Haldex controller. Someone on here may have one you could try....

is the Maf easy to remove? i take it its just a case of remove and clean thro with some car cleaner, will do that, i really hope its not the haldex controller as im guessin that wont be cheap or easy to get hold of.

is the Maf easy to remove? i take it its just a case of remove and clean thro with some car cleaner, will do that, i really hope its not the haldex controller as im guessin that wont be cheap or easy to get hold of.

In my experience haldex controllers rarely fail so a beaker somewhere will have one should it be needed, it will also be shared with other VAG cars although Im not sure which ones thus giving a larger pool of scrapped cars to search, someone like Skospares if they havent got one could give you the part number

thanks Stuart, just seen this on the bay eBay.co.uk: Haldex Performance Controller Generation 1 (item 220017928532 end time 14-Mar-07 12:59:33 GMT)

still dont want to spend anything like that as have coilovers to do asap too, so recon as said once i get it properly diagnosed i will go the breaker route.

MAF is dead easy to remove and refit.

Try search on here for cleaning instructions or ask Mike at IP (I know Des has cleaned a few).....

thanks Stuart, just seen this on the bay eBay.co.uk: Haldex Performance Controller Generation 1 (item 220017928532 end time 14-Mar-07 12:59:33 GMT)

still dont want to spend anything like that as have coilovers to do asap too, so recon as said once i get it properly diagnosed i will go the breaker route.

Bear in mind that the ebay part is quite a nice upgrade in itself to give you smoother control over the power transfer to the rear wheels.

Just tried skospares just to get an idea on price for a haldex unit.....they didnt even know what haldex was:rolleyes:

The part is called 'electronic control unit for Haldex coupling.' When I had mine replaced under warranty the price for that ECU would have been £655. The PN fitted was 02D 900 554D in place of the faulty 554C. My son's Audi S3 Quattro is fitted with the earlier 554B.

The part is called 'electronic control unit for Haldex coupling.' When I had mine replaced under warranty the price for that ECU would have been £655. The PN fitted was 02D 900 554D in place of the faulty 554C. My son's Audi S3 Quattro is fitted with the earlier 554B.

OOps sorry Dennis, forgot to refer him to the oracle of all knowledge, where would briskodians be without your access to part numbers etc. Helpful as always

thanks for the part number info Denis, will keep an eye on it, prob is my suspension is on the way out to so i can see this month is really gonna cost me:<, thing is....as im sure all you guys will agree, if i have to change the haldex controller, really im not gonna pay more for the standard part when i can get the 'improved' version for less, i can almost hear my girlfriend saying 'you planned for this to happen'!!!! lol. I know it would be a really worthwhile upgrade after reading all the posts here. Anyone else have any similar experiences with their 4x4s?

thanks for the part number info Denis, will keep an eye on it, prob is my suspension is on the way out to so i can see this month is really gonna cost me:<, thing is....as im sure all you guys will agree, if i have to change the haldex controller, really im not gonna pay more for the standard part when i can get the 'improved' version for less, i can almost hear my girlfriend saying 'you planned for this to happen'!!!! lol. I know it would be a really worthwhile upgrade after reading all the posts here. Anyone else have any similar experiences with their 4x4s?

I am currently putting 350 bhp through the std set up without any problems, I would personally save the dosh if you dont need it & add that to the suspension upgrades, including better ARB's & bushes. FocusZtec did quite a good set up. I went down the KW V3 route & bespoke rear ARB from Jabba & R32 front ARB, a bit more dosh but IMO worth it.

Stuart

Stuart,

will def only buy the unit if i 'need' to as its such a lot of money to spend and would go a long way to sorting the suspension! would love to get some KWs but think (due to cost) will end up with some fks (have had before on my golfs and the konigsport (koni adjustables) were pretty good and meant i didnt shake the car apart. Would then look at doing the bushes and arbs as required. Just really hope the unit isnt faulty, otherwise may see if any members have one to sell.

well to add to the confusion....it seems it is intermittent, no light on this morn and abs def working so may be the same prob you had focusztec.

Interesting thread - hope you don't mind my interruptions:

Recently bought a 2002 Octavia 4x4 and the "testing engine electronics" warning light has come on. It did this 3 weeks ago and the dealer said there were no errors and that the car is fine and reset the light. It came back on again this morning and won't go off, though seems to drive ok (though it's always seemed a little down on power but that's just a guess) ...

- If a MAF is failing does this just mean it may be dirty or is it likely to be much more serious than dirt?

- What's the part number and anyone recommend a reputable seller?

Thanks

Sweedish - Sounds like it mate. When the problem occurs I got the ESP light on constantly and hitting the ESP button didnt remove it from the dash display.

Just switching the car off and back on cleared mine and as I say I cant confirm that I lost ABS and dont think I lost the ESP function when the light displayed.

The first time the problem occured was in torrential rain - sitting at a fairly steady speed, I booted it to clear the inside lane traffic so I could pull in for the next turning.

The second and last time this happened (i'd say about a year ago) again I booted it and the rear axel received power as I was on very slight gravel - after that manovure I looked down and saw the ESP light on.

So apart from the fact it was probably sending power to the rear on both occasions I dont see a pattern and certainly the problem hasnt happened since and the car consistently performs well and doesnt report any errors on vagcom.

Lee

Stuart,

will def only buy the unit if i 'need' to as its such a lot of money to spend and would go a long way to sorting the suspension! would love to get some KWs but think (due to cost) will end up with some fks (have had before on my golfs and the konigsport (koni adjustables) were pretty good and meant i didnt shake the car apart. Would then look at doing the bushes and arbs as required. Just really hope the unit isnt faulty, otherwise may see if any members have one to sell.

It's a no-brainer that if you are going to buy a brand-new Haldex controller then you buy the Performance version. Some say save the money for other upgrades, but I still remember the huge grin I could not get rid of those first few days when I had mine installed, you will realise just how far away from proper 4-wd the standard set up is.

Adam.