Ibiza 110: Ongoing limp mode problems!

al3xfoster

Guest
Performance issues following a VNT clean.

Hi All

Over the past couple of months my Ibiza (110bhp) had been going into limp mode more and more frequently. After searching through the forums I performed the following;

  • Cleaned the MAF
  • Cleaned the EGR
  • Cleaned the inlet manifold

I was still getting limp mode so plugged her into VAG-Com and got a boost deviation - intermittent error. After some research I tried the VNT cycle procedure using the diagnostics and discovered the VNT actuator arm was stuck. After two days of work my turbo is now back on the car and spotless, and the VNT test shows the arm moving as normal. Also, from driving around with the diagnostics plugged in I can see that the boost parameters are correct. As are the MAF ones.

There are now no error codes on VAG-Com.

BUT

The car still doesn't feel right. There seems to be an initial spike in boost (Particularly in 2nd gear) at about 2250rpm. This spike then vanishes at around 2500rpm and I seem to loose boost (not completely) until around 3000rpm. Then the car pulls and I can hear the turbo again. It does not pull very strongly, certainly not as strongly as during the "spike" but its not limp mode. There are flat spots throughout the rev range. I assume the spike is down to the VNT doing its job?

When travelling in any gear there seems to be inconsistency to the boost pattern. Sometimes there is a lot of torque and other times there is not (still not as bad as limp mode). I have tested this on the same stretch of road to discount gradient etc.

The flat spots I described are similar to but not as violent as when limp mode kicks in. Limp mode is like hitting a wall and is scary if it happens when overtaking! This is still enough to put me off overtaking.

Any ideas as to what is going on? Is the torque (boost) curve supposed to feel like this? I've gone from a Golf VR6 which pulls like a train to the Ibiza. I wasn't expecting similar performance by any means but I did expect a little more than I'm getting. :shrug:

Apologies for the essay! :help:
 

al3xfoster

Guest
Thanks for the reply!

Would that be an ECU reset by disconnecting the battery for a while and then going for a drive to get the ECU to re-learn settings? Or is there a VAG-Com method?
 

al3xfoster

Guest
Cheers! I'm picking the GF up from a night out later on so I'll go and disconnect it now. It'll get a good run on the trip to collect her!

I'll report back!
 

Gordz

Caught The Mod Bug Again!
May 31, 2007
1,325
1
North East
Maybe just double check everything that you've taken out or cleaned or fiddled around with? Could just be something as simple as that.
 

al3xfoster

Guest
I can't seen to find any evidence of vacuum leak. I don't have a mityvac, resorted to using a big fat syringe on the end of various pipes.

After heading out for a drive earlier, the car seemed a little better. There were still flat spots but its a little smoother than it was before I reset the ECU. Could I do worse than changing the fuel filter and see if that has an impact? I'm guessing it could be a either a fuel issue or a boost issue?
 

sssstew

Editing your spelling
What you describe certainly isnt right for the 110 ibiza, it should pull strongly (best in 2nd) from 1900rpm right throught till about 4000rpm, but i always used to change gear again at about 3000-3500 to get back in the peak torque range of 2000 rpm.

Something is definately still an issue, like you say fuel or boost are the usual culprits on TDIs so if you dont know when the fuel filter was done then swap it out for sure, they are quite cheap, then let us know...
 

al3xfoster

Guest
Hi all.

I've been having ongoing limp mode problems for some time now and have been doing all sorts to try and fix things. I also sometimes hear a noise when I lift off/change gear that sounds like a wastegate fluttering. The car is an Ibiza TDi Sport 110.

I realise that there are a multitude of threads with similar issues but I've worked through loads of suggestions to no avail.

My turbo has been off and cleaned and the VNT is moving freely. I have also been replacing vacuum hoses with some samco stuff as and when I get five minutes to work on the car. I can't hear/detect any noticeable boost leaks, the vacuum system sustains a vacuum and the n75 pulses during the VAG-com test (moving the actuator arm).

Upon using VAG-com to cycle the VNT mechanism I have the following problem:

At no point during the process does my car go into fast idle. I was under the impression that I should expect 1400rpm as the software does its thing?

Any ideas?!

Thanks in advance folks!
 

al3xfoster

Guest
The error code is:

VAG-COM Version: Release 409.1-S

Chassis Type: 6K - Seat Ibiza
Scan: 01,02,03,08,15,17,25,35,56

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 01: Engine
Controller: 038 906 018 FB
Component: 1,9l R4 EDC 0400SG 2170
Coding: 00005
Shop #: WSC 06403
1 Fault Found:
17958 - Charge Pressure: Control Deviation
P1550 - 35-10 - - - Intermittent
Readiness: N/A


On a long journey yesterday I noticed that on a couple of occasions the car hit limp mode not under acceleration. The other thing is that when the car is not in limp mode I get a tiny surge of boost at around 2750rpm then it dies at 3000prm and feels really underpowered. This happens in all gears.
 

al3xfoster

Guest
Forgot to add, the above error is the only error getting logged. Everything else is reporting fine.
 

Viking

Insurance co's are crap.
May 19, 2007
2,317
4
Near Richmond, North Yorks
Intermittent fault are the worst to diagnose. If you check something and it's working when you check it. then that doesn't mean it's still okay when your fault manifests itself. Could possibly be the map sensor, but I'd plump for the N75 if I had to make a choice.
 

al3xfoster

Guest
Just changed a couple more vacuum lines inbetween rain showers. Been out for a drive and haven't triggered limp mode for once.

Still no fast idle when checking measuring block 11.

I've logged the trip and have a .CSV file but I'm not entirely sure how to use the information. From what I can see, there seems to be lots of instances where I'm gettin too much boost. The car doesn't drive like post 11 suggests it should.

I'm trying to eliminate everything I can without having to go to the dealers for parts!
 
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