1.2Tsi "breakdown"...shock!

[loonymoon]

Christmas eve, driving back from my parents in Swanage I was on the chain ferry going across to sandbanks in Poole and had stopped the engine. When I restarted to get off the ferry I noticed that the car wasn't responding properly. The EPC and engine management lights were on.

Drove very slowly (car was only allowing 20mph) to where I could get out of the way and called the AA, tried restarting but no joy so had to wait for patrol.

Apparently it was a pressure switch error that put the car into crawl mode, the AA erased the error and test drove the car which seemed to be responding fine. Since then I've done about 300 miles no problems.


Anyone else had this? I'm going to call the dealer today and maybe get it checked out properly, its done 17000 miles and had the turbo recall done at 10000.

 

[andrew12]

Hi. i have had the same thing happen to me with my car last month. Think they had to update the software to fix it.

 

[loonymoon]

I just spoke to Hatfield SEAT service dept and they said that all they'd do would be the same as the AA did, so unless I see any other faults or feel the car not running right (she said if it's a real problem with the pressure switch actuator then the car would run lumpy) then I should call them back and get the car checked out.

It's been fine ever since.

It was funny when the AA man test drove the car after it'd had the fault erased. I could tell as soon as he pressed the accelerator that it was back to normal... it doesn't go like that when in "crawl" mode!! The AA guy was very surprised..."Wow it's like a little rocket ship" he said!!


He didn't like the "feel and hear everything on the road" suspension set up on the sportrider though. I guess I'm used to it. I prefer it like that than being cut completely off from any feel.

 

[andrew12]

My dealer said the same thing since the aa cleared the problem they had nothing to go off. If like mine it will happen again after a week or so. got the aa to take it to the dealer so they could look at the code's. was told it was a software problem witch seat had to download on to the car. my car is also as 2011 sportrider 1.2 tsi.

 

[loonymoon]

The AA guy told me the code was P334 : pressure actuator position sensor electrical malfunction.

So I told that to the lady at the service centre. I guess I'll have to wait and see if it happens again!!

 

[loonymoon]

Oh dear... looks like I spoke too soon.

Today went for a short hop to the shops, went to homebase and then Wickes on the way home and starting at Wickes the EPC light comes back on and it's back in slug mode... but this time only the EPC light was on not the engine light.


I have managed to book it in at St Albans but they can't do anything until Thursday next week...which is a few days earlier than Hatfield or CMC Harlow could manage it. Trouble is I'm not sure what I'm going to do about going to work on Monday or Weds/Thurs!!

 

[andrew12]

My car went back in with the aa. since the car could not be repaired with in 2 hrs they gave me a hire car till it was repaired. Think you will have the same cover as your car is under 2 years old.

 

[loonymoon]

Yes. I should get a courtesy car, but they say they're all booked out until Friday.. though he did say he'd ask the body shop if they've got anything I can use......


Not fair. I was only singing the praises of it's reliability not too long ago...

 

[loonymoon]

...and I tried restarting the car this morning and the EPC error has gone... so presumably drivable the engine sounds fine so hopefully no mechanical issues.

Most irritating, especially as I now don't know when it's going to do it again...!

Does anyone know a way of resetting without using VAG.com or similar? I did get told by someone that removing the earth wire from the battery for 30 secs can reset these issues, however after looking at the battery there's way too much electrical gubbins going on there I wouldn't have a clue what to unplug!!

Does anyone in Herts type area have a device that can reset these errors that they might lend me for some beer money etc just to make sure I can get where I need to go for the next few days until the car is booked in??

 

[loonymoon]

Ok apparently it's a problem with the turbo....,,! Not what I expected!

They can't get the part for about a week and are speaking to Seat about a courtesy car. The dealers have none left after Christmas breakdowns and it's up to Seat to supply one.

To be fair the girl at the dealers is trying to help me get a car to replace it., doesn't look like it'll be today though since don't know how I'm getting home from here.... Public transport isn't exactly easy.

 

[nightflight]

For future note. ALWAYS get your car taken in by the AA, even if you live down the road from the dealership like I do and the car will limp there.
If the dealership don't have a car in, which they usually don't at my local, the AA will get you a like for like (or usually an upgrade) from Enterprise either there and then, or Enterprise will pick you up the next day if it gets towed our of hours.
The extended AA cover/Seat assist was the only reason I paid extra to get a dealership service.

Hope it gets sorted quickly, I've used public transport twice since I got my beeza and hated it both times!

 

[loonymoon]

Well they are trying hard to get a car from seat hopefully today. The error had cleared this time so couldn't get the AA as it was driving fine. The first time it was Christmas eve and I was 3hours from home so just wanted to get back.

 

[loonymoon]

Apparently waiting for authorisation code from Seat, then can get hired car from enterprise under the breakdown warranty..... Code taking its time though, but Jo at ******* has been very helpful and friendly.

 

[nightflight]

 

[loonymoon]

Well would you believe it.... Enterprise didn't have any cars left either!!!

SO they have actually let me take one of their sales cars as a loan car. They don't usually do that.

It's a 62 plate Mii and had only 26 miles on it. It still had the price stickers in the window, but it does have a tax disc so I'm OK there. I've always fancied having a go in a Mii. This one is an auto... which was OK except I couldn't quite work out the semi auto box when I somehow managed to shift it into "manual" at a roundabout with a motorway slip road coming off it.. trying to drive up the slip road in first while fighting with the gear stick (counter intuitive to a manual driver to push the stick forwards to change up from first to second) was interesting... eventually got it back into full auto and I was away. Quite like it... it's fun!


Here it is:

 

[Deleted member 67732]

well looneymoom after reading your various replies,, it seems the dealer is doing everything possible for you, and this is how dealers should treat a customer.

 

[loonymoon]

I agree, have to say I was treated well and got tea and biccies, and Jo even lent me her phone charger when my phone died. I don't know what kind of reputation they have on here though since every time I type the name it comes up with asterisks!!

 

[ethtechno]

Happy you got sorted out with a decent car! They look quite fun to drive.

 

[loonymoon]

Happy you got sorted out with a decent car! They look quite fun to drive.

I feel like I'm 17 again

 

[torresstech]

Hi Loonymoon

Thanks for the info, seems odd its a new turbo as they usually go bang and thats it mr AA gave me a code of P388B which is related to cam overlap but also adds unburnt fuel to the cat its likely the new turbo could be different from the one it replaces so fuel air ratio is more balanced resulting in correct combustion
and hopefully no errors just JOY

Cheers Dom