VW emissions software update problems

[Kyo]

Hi

Not sure if this has been discussed before but I received a VW letter a few months ago reminded me that I have to comply to the Roads transport commission and update the software for my VW 2011 Passat and then another final reminder letter saying I need to comply.

I foolishly took my car down to my local VW dealer and first time around they had it for a day and they eventually told me they cant update the software with errors. My glow plugs needed replaced despite my car working perfectly. Ok I paid to get the Glowplugs replaced and then a they took my car a few days later for the software update.

I received my car and in span of driving 15 mins down the road, my dash lit up. Errors sprung with

Hand brake warning, abs warning, anti traction control warning and type pressure warning.

The car still drove but my start/stop stopped working and auto lock disabled too. Its a automatic with a DSG gearbox.

I called the dealership back and their rep told me it's got nothing to do with the update?? I was speechless it is blatantly a software issue tripping the sensors, but eventually said as a courtesy they will take a look next thursday? There is no way its my handbrake, abs, anti traction and tyres failing all at the exact same time. If i switch it off and then back on its goes away. But again in driving 15 mins it will comes back. It was perfect before the update and never had a issue like this before.

What should I do if they start telling me stories? Was it a mistake to assume it was in accordance to the law??

Any advice would greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Kyo

 

[Thaifood]

Almost the same lights as mine. Apart from the far right light. Plus I got the steering wheel one on. Can't check it out until next week but some people are saying it could possibly the battery as I haven't driving the car for almost 2 weeks.
But. Not sure if hat helps what's so ever as it sounds like a different circumstance to me

 

[Kyo]

Almost the same lights as mine. Apart from the far right light. Plus I got the steering wheel one on. Can't check it out until next week but some people are saying it could possibly the battery as I haven't driving the car for almost 2 weeks.
But. Not sure if hat helps what's so ever as it sounds like a different circumstance to me

Did you have the software update too? What annoyed me the most is that it was made out to be a legal requirement when it wasn't. I should have researched it before hand. Will be phoning their hq to complain asap. I just knew I shouldn't have done it.

 

[Thaifood]

As far as I know the software was updated a while ago (previous owner who is in law ) and didn't have a problem

 

[muon]

Prepare to be told you need to replace all of those parts.

I bet they won't have a clue what is wrong.

 

[Kyo]

Prepare to be told you need to replace all of those parts.

I bet they won't have a clue what is wrong.

That's my concern mate, whats more worrying is that if the software isn't regulating and managing correctly it could lead physical faults, ie sensors, engine. Who is going to pick up the cost for that? If I get even a hint of any nonsense, will be calling the financial ombudsman if I Dont get anywhere with their head office.

 

[JRS]

will be calling the financial ombudsman if I Dont get anywhere with their head office.

You'd be rather better off going to the Motor Ombudsman, since they're the ones who deal with garage complaints

 

[Iamzod]

I would have told them where to stick their update as soon as they said I had to pay for glow plugs.

 

[Rilot]

reminded me that I have to comply to the Roads transport commission and update the software for my VW 2011 Passat and then another final reminder letter saying I need to comply.

This utterly disgusts me. You absolutely DO NOT have to comply. There is no law or regulation that says you must have this done, nor will it fail an MoT if it's not done.

It almost reads as if they are blaiming YOU for your car having a cheat device and not complying with the emissions regs.

 

[Orionaut]

I am betting that the update procedure involved having the car in a "Ignition on, engine stopped" situation for some time and this killed off an already dying battery.

As I said in a different thread, Start/Stop really kills batteries and this sort of Christmas tree scenario is typical of when a battery has had its day.

If this is the case, then it really isn't the dealerships fault, nor is it an update related software issue.

 

[Type_R]

This is why I kindly declined the software update on our 2014 A4 TDi. They were not impressed but I couldn't care less!

Lesson learnt, don't be an early adaptor when it comes to things like this.

 

[Diagro]

I am betting that the update procedure involved having the car in a "Ignition on, engine stopped" situation for some time and this killed off an already dying battery.

As I said in a different thread, Start/Stop really kills batteries and this sort of Christmas tree scenario is typical of when a battery has had its day.

If this is the case, then it really isn't the dealerships fault, nor is it an update related software issue.

It went in fine.
Came out broken.

Thus dealers fault

 

[Heisenberg]

I am betting that the update procedure involved having the car in a "Ignition on, engine stopped" situation for some time and this killed off an already dying battery.

As I said in a different thread, Start/Stop really kills batteries and this sort of Christmas tree scenario is typical of when a battery has had its day.

If this is the case, then it really isn't the dealerships fault, nor is it an update related software issue.

It absolutely is, as while carrying out the update, the battery must be connected to a charger.

 

[Kyo]

It went in fine.
Came out broken.

Thus dealers fault

Exactly, not to mention if i switch off and then back on it clears the fault and restores functionality before it reoccurs again which reinforces a software issue.

 

[Kyo]

You'd be rather better off going to the Motor Ombudsman, since they're the ones who deal with garage complaints

Thanks mate didn't know that. I knew there could have been some official body that can help. Sorry for the double post. On the mobile.

 

[andy_mk3]

I have heard many complaints of faults after the update, especially things like EGR failure due to the software working the EGR more.

I've had two letters from Audi now, but I will not be having mine done. Primarily bcause it's remapped, but even if it was stock I wouldn't risk problems.

 

[Orionaut]

It went in fine.
Came out broken.

Thus dealers fault

No, It went in broken.

The owner just didn't realise it at the time.

It is perfectly possible for a routine service/repair procedure to "Reveal" a hidden pre-existing issue.

And it is not at all uncommon on an older vehicles. (If OP still has the original Battery after 6 years on a stop/start system, it must have been supplied by the Methuselah battery company! )

See also, auto box issues after a fluid change, water pump failure after a cam belt change (Which it is why it is considered good practice to replace water pumps even if there is nothing obviously wrong with them, though this is sometimes a hard sell with the more ignorant and paranoid customers...)) and so on

 

[Orionaut]

I have heard many complaints of faults after the update, especially things like EGR failure due to the software working the EGR more.

I've had two letters from Audi now, but I will not be having mine done. Primarily bcause it's remapped, but even if it was stock I wouldn't risk problems.

Again, case in point. The only reason why the update "Causes" EGR failure is because the EGR was already failing.

You might argue that the EGR n these vehicles is fundamentally weak and prone to failure (Which it undoubtedly is and might well warrant a general recall) but that should not be conflated with the idea that the "Update broke my car"

 

[Orionaut]

It absolutely is, as while carrying out the update, the battery must be connected to a charger.

Yes, true, but it would only be a long term issue if the battery was already weak and in need of replacing. A "Good" battery would recover on the first run and afterwards be just fine...

 

[Kyo]

No, It went in broken.

The owner just didn't realise it at the time.

It is perfectly possible for a routine service/repair procedure to "Reveal" a hidden pre-existing issue.

See also, auto box issues after a fluid change, water pump failure after a cam belt change (Which it is why it is considered good practice to replace water pumps even if there is nothing obviously wrong with them, though this is sometimes a hard sell with the more ignorant and paranoid customers...)) and so on

It certainly did not go in broken. Considering i had a independent full system scan report taken before i gave it to them just precisely for this excuse. There was no errors and also remember the dealership confirmed this as well as the update wont work if the car is reporting any faults and errors.

So please don't automatically assume I have neglected the care of my car without knowing a thing about me. And yes had the pump was changed to follow good practise when the gearbox work was done as well as the cam belt when it wasn't required. Do you work for a,dealership or something per chance? Very quick to defend the dealership and automatically assume its my fault.