Software Update

[rf860]

Hi guys,
I have recently found out that a software update came out for the engine in my car (100hp 1.4). It was supposed to make the engine more responsive as there was a problem of there being a delay of when you put your foot down on the accelerator and the engine responding. I find that my car does this as well and it can be quite annoying when you floor it at a roundabout and it takes a few seconds to respond. How do i go about finding out if my car has the latest update and whether this would be covered under warranty if mine is due an update?

 

[kidinspace]

Hi guys,
I have recently found out that a software update came out for the engine in my car (100hp 1.4). It was supposed to make the engine more responsive as there was a problem of there being a delay of when you put your foot down on the accelerator and the engine responding. I find that my car does this as well and it can be quite annoying when you floor it at a roundabout and it takes a few seconds to respond. How do i go about finding out if my car has the latest update and whether this would be covered under warranty if mine is due an update?

A trip to the dealer would be my obvious choice...

.G.

 

[nick0323]

I think that's the case with most of these cars as the throttle isn't cable operated anymore.

My Polo 9N 1.2 12v does the same thing but only for half a second at best.
The facelift 9N 1.2 12v has a revised engine map with 70ps instead of 65ps.
Whether if they solved the accelerator delay on that model is beyond me.

I had a Lupo Sport once with a 1.4 16v 100ps engine...
the throttle body was cable operated so I had instant throttle response except when I put in Shell 99RON. It lagged like hell, never seen anything like it.

I remember once it took nearly 3 seconds to accelerate after me stamping on the accelerator pedal whilst in 2nd gear doing 30mph. This was when I downshifted from 3rd gear.

Worked perfectly with 95RON. I doubt this is your case but could it possibly be the same thing? It's worth a shot using 95RON if you have Shell's rubbish 99RON in there...

 

[CJRamze]

"Worked perfectly with 95RON. I doubt this is your case but could it possibly be the same thing? It's worth a shot using 95RON if you have Shell's rubbish 99RON in there..."

I think you've got your wires crossed, 95RON is worse fuel than 99RON

And A trip to the dealer, It should be covered by them regardless you shouldn't have to pay for it, Its an update and it should be done along with your service.

 

[nick0323]

No I don't have my wires crossed. What makes you think a bodge job map by VW Group will work well on super unleaded? They will always do the most basic map possible to run on petrol as it saves them money.

My Lupo required 95/98 RON.

95 worked fine, 98/99 was a pile of wank and caused throttle lag. I will never use it again.

 

[CJRamze]

That's really strange, Your telling my fuel that burns quicker and is more explosive caused.... slower explosions in your engine?
I'll be honest I've run both a 1.2SX Ibiza and a friends 1.4 80bhp on 99 (When the 95 pumps ran dry) neither suffered at all.
Granted its entirely pointless but a more explosive fuel shouldn't be detrimental as its going against the laws of combustion!

I'm not stating VW's map will work Better, with Super Unleaded as its not mapped for high quality fuel but it wont cause problems!

 

[nick0323]

Not that the car was slower, it just caused heavy throttle lag...and on a car with a cable driven throttle body its quite a shocking experience to say the least!

BP 97 ran okay though and didn't cause any lag.

I dunno, I have a 1.2 now and stick to 95ron.
I might try 91ron should it become available but I already lack power.

By lag I mean not do anything for 2 seconds and then slowly kick in.

 

[Leigh15]

Must say I've driven at least half a dozen different 1.2 Ibiza's - the oldest on an 02 plate, the newest on an 08 and I've never noticed the slightest issue with throttle lag on them - they are incredibly responsive and eager engines.

As for the OP with the 1.4 - as already stated - get yourself down to the dealer and ask the question - it's the only was you'll find out!

 

[nick0323]

no no no...sorry my 1.2 is fine, very responsive engine, had the timing chain on my 02 done recently under warranty.

the 1.4 16v 100ps I had was an AFK engine that lagged with 98ron or better. that's long gone now. I miss Lupo power.

 

[CJRamze]

I spoke to a friend about this Nick who confirmed the following.
When your running 95 ron fuel it obviously burns and explodes with less force than 98/99 ron fuel.
If you were experiencing throttle lag with 98/99 ron fuel it was possible that your timing was out on the engine.

This would mean that running a high octane fuel would bring you close to detonation, it would probably make your chambers very hot and eventually ruin the engine.
As you said running 95 ron fuel solved this but only because the combustion was lower and less intense.

Glad you've got rid of the car! You could of ended up with shagged pistons.
I didn't know this either so I'll be keeping an eye out for potential issues on my future cars!

 

[nick0323]

I see, thanks for enquiring about that!

The Lupo 1.4 16V engines on the Lupo are quite reknown for having shagged pistons and valve seals by 60,000 miles.

When I traded it into VW for my Polo 1.2 it was consuming about a litre of oil per 1,500 miles. But then I did used to rag it alot.

Lot's of people on the Lupo forum also complained about heavy oil consumption but it does say in the handbook that the engine may consume up to a litre per 1,000km!! =O

I was glad to swap it in for the Polo I have today but I do miss the power in such a little car.

Back on topic...is it possible to use the ECU from a Polo mk7 (2006-2009) or obtain a software update (with a different map) that gives the 1.2 12V engine 70PS instead of the 65PS on the earlier Polo (2002-2005)?

Lots of companies offer this base map for the engine, just wondering if there is an easier way around it?

 

[CJRamze]

I see, thanks for enquiring about that!

The Lupo 1.4 16V engines on the Lupo are quite reknown for having shagged pistons and valve seals by 60,000 miles.

When I traded it into VW for my Polo 1.2 it was consuming about a litre of oil per 1,500 miles. But then I did used to rag it alot.

Lot's of people on the Lupo forum also complained about heavy oil consumption but it does say in the handbook that the engine may consume up to a litre per 1,000km!! =O

I was glad to swap it in for the Polo I have today but I do miss the power in such a little car.

Back on topic...is it possible to use the ECU from a Polo mk7 (2006-2009) or obtain a software update (with a different map) that gives the 1.2 12V engine 70PS instead of the 65PS on the earlier Polo (2002-2005)?

Lots of companies offer this base map for the engine, just wondering if there is an easier way around it?

I can't answer the latter however the former ECU question, I know with Cupra's / FR's and Derv's they can't be swapped as their tied to the cars clocks.

 

[Monks Seat]

Hi All,
I have got the same issues with my ibiza, I have spoken to seat today and confirmed that their is an updated version of software for the 1.4 16v 100hp and it is specifically for the lag issues, it was released in Dec 2009. They have sed for the update it will cost £94 + vat, which I think is a rip off. What do you lot think!

 

[stezo2k]

Back on topic...is it possible to use the ECU from a Polo mk7 (2006-2009) or obtain a software update (with a different map) that gives the 1.2 12V engine 70PS instead of the 65PS on the earlier Polo (2002-2005)?

Lots of companies offer this base map for the engine, just wondering if there is an easier way around it?

That would be fantastic, remaps can be done for this engine (but are very rare) so I'm sure something similar could be done (in terms of software), remaps can take the 64hp 1.2 up to around 73hp so there's always a possibility. I wonder if the 70HP 1.2 computer is the same as the 64hp 1.2. If so it sounds very interesting...

Hi All,
I have got the same issues with my ibiza, I have spoken to seat today and confirmed that their is an updated version of software for the 1.4 16v 100hp and it is specifically for the lag issues, it was released in Dec 2009. They have sed for the update it will cost £94 + vat, which I think is a rip off. What do you lot think!

Depends how much difference it makes, if it boosts the hp it may be worth it as remaps are a at least double the price

If you go down again, can you ask if theres something similar for the 1.2? thanks

 

[nick0323]

That would be fantastic, remaps can be done for this engine (but are very rare) so I'm sure something similar could be done (in terms of software), remaps can take the 64hp 1.2 up to around 73hp so there's always a possibility. I wonder if the 70HP 1.2 computer is the same as the 64hp 1.2. If so it sounds very interesting...

Depends how much difference it makes, if it boosts the hp it may be worth it as remaps are a at least double the price

If you go down again, can you ask if theres something similar for the 1.2? thanks

Yea these companies only seem to offer the remap for the earlier 65PS 1.2 12V and not the 70PS 1.2 12V engine.

The maps can give either 70hp or 73hp - though I can't seem to find the company that claimed 73hp anymore through bing.

Awesome tuning do custom maps and they quoted me £200 but they couldn't say what kind of power increase / fuel economy increase there would be as it's all custom.

Cheap as chips the map though...I'm just scared of getting a bodge job map.

I second that...ask if there is anything available for the 1.2 12V engines...both 65PS and 70PS versions.

 

[cupra.al]

Hi All,
I have got the same issues with my ibiza, I have spoken to seat today and confirmed that their is an updated version of software for the 1.4 16v 100hp and it is specifically for the lag issues, it was released in Dec 2009. They have sed for the update it will cost £94 + vat, which I think is a rip off. What do you lot think!

thats a bargain if it gets rid of a few second delay in the throttle that £94 could potentially save your life if you mis judge the speed of an oncoming car at a junction etc so i think thats a small price to pay.

 

[rf860]

thats a bargain if it gets rid of a few second delay in the throttle that £94 could potentially save your life if you mis judge the speed of an oncoming car at a junction etc so i think thats a small price to pay.

don't you think it should be covered under warranty?

 

[CJRamze]

I think that software upgrades to a Cars ECU should be done at service time.
Afterall its a fault with the ECU, a fault in the respect its slow and sometimes unresponsive.
I dont think you should pay for it at all however... They hold all the cards, Not alot you can do.

 

[cupra.al]

don't you think it should be covered under warranty?

if you have warranty then yes if not then unfortunatly these things are not normally covered out of warranty unless its a safety recall.

for example if you had coilpacks that were known to fail often and they made ones that didnt fail after your warranty had run out you would still have to pay for them.

 

[rf860]

Got the software update done today, really pleased with the outcome of it, throttle much more responsive and the steering feels more weighted and responsive. Good work AC Linwood!