ECU Failure

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sarahjane.thomson
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2016 7:31 pm
I drive a: 1.4 TSI 160
In: Candy White
With a: Manual box

ECU Failure

Post by sarahjane.thomson »

Here's what's happened...

Driving for about one minute and suddenly most of the lights on the dash came on, a couple of seconds later the engine cut out. I retried restarting the engine but to no avail. Electrics would still work. After a few minutes, if I was lucky the engine would start but would cut out again just seconds later. Car had to be towed to independent VW garage.

After looking at the car for a day, the garage called to let me know they were taking a really good look at it. Their fear was that the ECU was shot and the cost for replacement is 700pounds alone. They spent another day checking all cables and fuses, and confirmed that the ECU is definitely need replacing.

Total cost for replacement ECU and labour is 1254.60. As I'm sure you can understand, I'm pretty upset considering this is a 2011 VW with just 33k miles on the clock - the ECU should not be failing. Unfortunately I'm 6months out of my Arnold Clark warranty. My only slight hope is that perhaps given the high cost maybe Volkwagen will offer some level of goodwill?

Any advice or recommendations would be appreciated.
Cheers,
Sarah Jane
Cuprabob
Posts: 5036
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2010 2:31 pm
I drive a: GT 2.0 TDI 170/184
In: Rising Blue
With a: Manual box
Options: Panoramic Roof, 19" Black Luganos, Vienna Leather, Parking Sensors, DAB, Dynaudio, Bluetooth, Cruise, Folding Mirrors, Xenons
Location: S/W Scotland

Re: ECU Failure

Post by Cuprabob »

I suspect get goodwill from VW, the fault would have needed to be diagnosed and subsequently repaired by a VW franchise dealer.

It does no harm to give VW Customer Services a call but I fear you'll be onto plums unless you want to transfer the car to a dealer to diagnose and repair.

Normally, I would also say speak to AC but in my experience they are useless.
sarahjane.thomson
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2016 7:31 pm
I drive a: 1.4 TSI 160
In: Candy White
With a: Manual box

Re: ECU Failure

Post by sarahjane.thomson »

Yes I had issues with Arnold Clark previously so I hadn't even considered calling them up.

Lets see what VW say - can always get my breakdown cover to take the car to an authorized dealer if thats what they want. Feels like it makes little difference to me when I have no car anyway. Saving any amount of money would be a huge help right now.
Cuprabob
Posts: 5036
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2010 2:31 pm
I drive a: GT 2.0 TDI 170/184
In: Rising Blue
With a: Manual box
Options: Panoramic Roof, 19" Black Luganos, Vienna Leather, Parking Sensors, DAB, Dynaudio, Bluetooth, Cruise, Folding Mirrors, Xenons
Location: S/W Scotland

Re: ECU Failure

Post by Cuprabob »

Good luck...
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Roy_01
Posts: 1703
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2014 6:51 pm
I drive a: 2.0 TDI 140
In: Sumatra
With a: DSG box

Re: ECU Failure

Post by Roy_01 »

Buy a second hand ecu from a specialist and let them install it. 1254 pounds is way too much!
greg7728
Posts: 350
Joined: Sat May 09, 2015 10:12 am
I drive a: 1.4 TSI 160
In: Viper Green
With a: DSG box
Location: Essex

Re: ECU Failure

Post by greg7728 »

Contact VW via social media too - they don't like bad press but will need diagnosis from VW dealership to get good will


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