Stevey Y

Hi I don't think the windows going down has anything to do with your problems have you actually had the vehicle scanned as there are multiple causes for that code including a stretched timing belt/chain, a seized variable valve timing solenoid, when you changed the crank sensor if its the type at the back of the engine you might have dislodged the reluctor ring [easily done]. Steve.

Hi my daughters Q3 had that one on every MOT up to 60k when she bought it and now at 147k its been sold, with the same shock absorbers with misting on the front and new shocks last year on the back as they were leaking badly, all hydraulic seals sweat to a certain extents if you wipe around the seal at the top of the body [under dust boot] you will always come back with a greasy finger or cloth, my advice for what its worth is keep an eye on it and change it if its running oil down the strut, I think it will last a while yet. Steve.

NO,NO,Richard stop talking sense and giving him what he doesn't want to hear, {quote, I like the thought of driving a more powerful car] where he got more reliable from I don't know, I understand what you said and believe it to be 100% accurate and proven information, I have been on many forums for different brands of cars and a few of them recommend this type of terminal stupidity which is why I don't belong on them anymore, we have all given our best advice and been ignored therefore I think its time to give up on this individual and proffer advice for those who genuinely want it. Steve.

Hi get the code off the sticker on the existing unit and code that in, did you code in the replacement dash as that has a coding number as well. Steve.

Hi can never understand why people with older cars always want to map the vehicles up so as Cliff suggested why put more stress on what is already a worn engine, how can that help the new clutch, A does your mechanic understand the dynamics of more torque on a standard clutch, B if you want to save more on fuel ask them to stop the war in the Middle East. Steve.

Hi it will be your choice finally you can always buy a kit and get a qualified auto electrician to fit it but from a personal point of view I would first consult an electrician to get an informed opinion and ask what he would recommend, these vehicles have a complex system of modules for each system within the car and a lot of the modules are very fragile and prone to fail when they encounter voltage spikes, I can't in all honesty suggest anyone to do the job as most of the module changes I ever had to do on my car were done by my garages electrician, thats in Essex. Steve.

Hi if you are going to do this get a qualified company to do the work, that way if anything gets fried it won't be down to you, DIY can also mean Destroy IT Yourself, the wiring on these cars is beyond complex and if you make a mistake it will cost you dearly. Steve.

Hi I don't think changing the injector seals would have caused this only if the interior lights were on or a weak battery, the stop start will not work without sufficient voltage, I would be more afraid of the P200 code as thats the cooler blocked and is major labour and parts unless you can do it yourself, not many can as its a major strip down. Steve.

Hi to quote Magnet inspect the loom between the tailgate and body as these locks work on a grounding/earth system to release the lock so if you have a broken or exposed wire thats grounding it will keep unlocking on its own. Steve.

Hi thats the problem with changeover years mechanically there will be no difference so if buying parts the REG/VIN will nail that one, don't worry I have had log books with the wrong registration number or colour before now the DVLA is definitely not infallible so I would go with the dealer they made it, if you want to put yourself at ease go on a VIN decoder site. Steve.

Hi pretty basic stuff really you can't blame the AA as they don't drive them they just inspect them and that type of fault will only appear when driving over distance, go back with the RAC findings and give them hell, in saying that I have known it where aftermarket wheels have been fitted and are the wrong offset so they slowly pull the bolts out because the hub mounting of the bolts are under constant stress, thats why wheel spacers are not sold generally and should be avoided as they alter the factory offset, the cars are manufactured to take certain sizes of wheel from 16inch to 19inch to accommodate different model designations such as S Line etc once you start putting on much larger wheels outside the models original production spec, then you can easily run aground. Steve.

Hi unfortunately in Essex, do let us know how you get on. Steve.

Hi I diagnose a good few cars in my area for friends and friends of theirs, no way I could justify that kind of charge for anything I do tops £50 and thats if I can positively identify the fault, pure guess without sight is it might be the boost pressure sensor or the MAF both can be checked on live data, I think the guy is a clown. Steve.

Hi try partsinmotion on line ring them and see if they can cross reference you're part numbers. Steve

Hi the DPF has been removed and then mapped out which is probably part of your problem as part of the turbo operating strategy is that it allows for a certain amount of back pressure from the DPF which if its not present would allow over boost, I don't know who did the diagnostic check but if they are sure the DPF has been gutted why suggest a MAP replacement, thats like throwing a cup of cold water at a house fire, I would definitely seek a second opinion as the easy way to check if the DPF has been removed or is cracked is from the pressure sensor readings whilst running if the readings don't go above one or two when revved to 1800rpm you have a major problem. Steve.

Hi I think you probably have air in the system try getting the water system bled first, [much cheaper] Steve.

Hi its probably because the software it was loaded with in production did not have that function included. Steve.

Hi well done you have got it in one, the level of sophistication of the new software means they can even send software updates remotely using AI and bluetooth, I am in no doubt that some bright spark will find a way around it soon but they are working on a similar system that Apple use whereby they can fry the main microprocessor remotely if the ECU issues more than one challenge code for the mapping. Steve.

Hi read up on SFD then you will understand the reason why its locked and no tuning companies can change that as when you try to alter anything to do with the ECU you have to generate a challenge code to the VAG mainframe which will be denied if its not from a dealer IDOS system. Steve.

Hi you are definitely not the first to realise this and you won't be the last, VAG will continue to deny any solution as you will have to keep buying motor units ££££££, depending on your mechanical aptitude you could use a straight connector and a fair length of washer pipe [cheap] and route it up the pillar under the interior cover using sticky backed pipe clips up to the part by the high level brake lighten drill a hole of the appropriate size and mount a down spray nozzle with a drop of silicone to seal it. Steve.

PS if you are going to do it yourself you will have to buy a serious set of sensor removal spanners as they will be very tight. Steve.

Hi did the diagnostic say it was sensor 1 that was reading low as if you look at the way they are described Bank 1 sensor 1 is just past sensor 2 thats the one I had to change, I am pretty certain that sensor three is the one further down just after the exhaust exits the DPF, some had a fourth about a couple of feet past that, if your fault was for sensor 1 change the one just beyond sensor 2 they are all the same sensor so if you buy one they all fit, as I said if you chase the wiring back to the plug and disconnect it while reading live data and the lower reading sensor goes blank that would be the offending sensor. Steve.

Hi its a feature of the car when a regen is running they all do it, mine did one on the way back from Warwickshire where I had bought it some 150 miles from home, if you look in the engine bay the DPF is near the top left side of the engine with the worlds supply of aluminium heat shielding, the leaking injector rubber seals come as standard, I ran mine for over 270k and yes it stunk right up until the end, my Passat does the same thing and changing the pollen filter regularly helps cut it down, at least your car is regenerating which is a bonus. Steve.

Hi one is where you put three on your diagram, four is underneath on the exhaust unless you have the other software version which uses a box sensor to read both Nox/temp. Steve.

Hi it won't be fitted to your year unless it was specified with that option when built, can't really see why you would want that as it takes up all the room where the spare tyre is supposed to fit. Steve.