Polo 9N3 EPC limp mode

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Potenza111
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Polo 9N3 EPC limp mode

Post by Potenza111 »

Hi Everyone

I have a 2006 polo 9N3.
I'm getting some issues with it where the EPC light, and esp light comes on and the car goes in limp mode.
(the car randomly goes into limp mode.. some days 5 times a day, other times only once a month)

Here's the VAG sequence after the car has been in limp mode:
ignition 3
ignition 4
Complains about to little power going through to the throttle body position sensors (but I'm not sure if this is caused by the ignition coils)

When I clear the codes and start the car again (without being in limp mode)
ignition 3
ignition 4

So.... Do I first buy new ignition coils and check if that solves the issue?

or

Do I buy a new battery ? I've heard that if you have a faulty battery then to little power goes to the ECU
(my battery is old,but the battery light on the dash only stays on for 5 seconds after I have started the car)

or

Do I buy a new throttle body?

(my break lights and break switch is still fine.)



Any advice guys?
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panic-mechanic
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Re: Polo 9N3 EPC limp mode

Post by panic-mechanic »

post the actual codes. can't make sense of what the fault is with what you are saying.
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Potenza111
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Re: Polo 9N3 EPC limp mode

Post by Potenza111 »

Hi It looks something like this

the Throttle body error only comes on after the car gave the limp mode issue

17763/P1355- Cylinder 3 Ignition Circuit: Open Circuit
17763/P1355- Cylinder 4 Ignition Circuit: Open Circuit
000290 - Throttle Position Sensor (G69): Signal too Low
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Re: Polo 9N3 EPC limp mode

Post by Potenza111 »

I cannot re create the error codes now, I have already erased them
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Re: Polo 9N3 EPC limp mode

Post by panic-mechanic »

if you have coil open circuit then yes change that first .
Stephan van Tonder - Jhb - Putfontein Benoni
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10

Perfect Power dealer. I do dyno tuning.
Potenza111
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Re: Polo 9N3 EPC limp mode

Post by Potenza111 »

Thanks, Will try that first
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Pynoxim
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Re: Polo 9N3 EPC limp mode

Post by Pynoxim »

If those two coils are aftermarket coils then they will throw an open circuit regardless. Something to do with the internal resistance of the coils and the ECU not liking that value.
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Potenza111
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Re: Polo 9N3 EPC limp mode

Post by Potenza111 »

They are aftermarket coils.
So am i looking at a different issue then?
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Re: Polo 9N3 EPC limp mode

Post by Pynoxim »

That's correct.

Log it, check fuelling specifically, block 031, check that requested and actual are in line. Also check boost, block 118.
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'00 GS2 Lexus GS300
Potenza111
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Re: Polo 9N3 EPC limp mode

Post by Potenza111 »

Thanks will do

I'm going to get my battery tested now, so that I can tick that one off my list
Faulty battery might mean that the ECU is not getting enough voltage?

Ill also check block 031 and 118

Thanks for the advice.
Q_Gopal
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Re: Polo 9N3 EPC limp mode

Post by Q_Gopal »

Potenza111 wrote:Thanks will do

I'm going to get my battery tested now, so that I can tick that one off my list
Faulty battery might mean that the ECU is not getting enough voltage?

Ill also check block 031 and 118

Thanks for the advice.
On ur battery there are fuses check those fuses dont have a crack on them because that thing usually causes issues like this

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Re: Polo 9N3 EPC limp mode

Post by Potenza111 »

Got the battery tested, the guys said that the battery is on its way out. There's also something drawing current when the car is off (1.2A and it should be 0.5A) so I'm taking the car in so that they can source the problem. And I'm getting a new battery.

Thanks for all of the advice
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Re: Polo 9N3 EPC limp mode

Post by Kidros »

Howzit, have you managed to solve the issue? if so, what was it?
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Re: Polo 9N3 EPC limp mode

Post by Potenza111 »

Hi

I have managed to get it sorted, It was the throttle body
I'm never opening up the electrical part on the throttle ever again
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Re: Polo 9N3 EPC limp mode

Post by panic-mechanic »

Why would you have done that in the first place anyway?
Stephan van Tonder - Jhb - Putfontein Benoni
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10

Perfect Power dealer. I do dyno tuning.
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Re: Polo 9N3 EPC limp mode

Post by Potenza111 »

EPC light came on, Read some threads that said you need to clean out the throttle sensor
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Re: Polo 9N3 EPC limp mode

Post by panic-mechanic »

ah. eish. unless it ain't working at all I'll never touch those things.
EPC can be caused by many items including ABS sensors, MAF, Yes throttle body or pedal, brake switch and probably a whole host more I can't think of right now.
Stephan van Tonder - Jhb - Putfontein Benoni
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10

Perfect Power dealer. I do dyno tuning.
Potenza111
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Re: Polo 9N3 EPC limp mode

Post by Potenza111 »

Yeah, the list goes on and on........
But thanks for all of the advice
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Re: Polo 9N3 EPC limp mode

Post by Kidros »

Wooow so the trottle body huh. glad you got it sorted Potenza111.

Now i have a similar issue right now and hoping you folks can shed some light over me pleeeeeease.

I have a 2006 polo 1.6 and for about 3 weeks my EPC light came on and went off and in that same time i would lose throttle completely even while driving on the freeway at high speeds. it would feel as if i lifted my foot from the gas but i didnt. i will then simply lift my foot and drop it again then it goes fine. last week when EPC light did not go off and i lost throttle completely. towed the car home because it would not accelerate of course. I then tried to start when i got home and would not start, just swing and swing but wouldnt take, Left it and tried the next day, it then started and idled erratically then switched off. during this time still no throttle.

I have tested my acc pedal in a polo vivo and it works but the vivo one also dont work in mine. I have put on a different throttle body (also from a vivo) and it does the exact same that mine does. car just idles for about 10 to 15 seconds then switches off. (as if timing was off) but timing was never an issue before the throttle issue, then the starting/idling issue.

Plugged it onto VCDS and it picks up - Accelerator pedal position sensor 1/2 (P1639)

on a second diagnostic it speaks about map sensor (manifold absolute pressure). also mentions something to do with injectors, now i dont know if this is the case because of a faulty map sensor.

I've said quite a bit, sorry peeps but thats about the lot. Please advise if you had an issue like this and where would be the first place to start?

Thanks a stack!
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