[vwW12]

Hello,

My 06 Touareg with 95K miles serial ending 6714

1. engages Low Range no problem
2. does not engage center diff - fault! workshop! warning
3. engages Rear Differential no problem

• When one selects low range one gets the car schematic with the 3 diffs on the binnacle screen
• When one selects Center Differential Block the rotary button starts blinking and one gets the WORKSHOP FAULT! yellow warning. The car schematic on the binnacle screen continues to show all three differentials "open".
• When one further selects the rear differential, the car schematic shows the rear differential filled with a yellow "blocked" symbol.

Transmission works flawlessly (except very rare and occasional mildly strong downshift to 2nd gear which I understand is design defect of tranny). I can detect "no binding" of tires while on slow 8-pattern turn or any other turn. I do 3 floors of parking building at home and up to 8 floors at office. Daily.

Service tech advises computer error code indicates need to replace stepper motor, may require changing controller, other items to be found only after stepper replacement.

Advice?

 

[Quadcam]

Looking at the Self Study Program (SSP302) it appears that the same stepper motor activates Low range and the Centre Diff lock. So if Low range works as commanded you would think that the stepper motor is ok. Maybe there are some limit switches or position sensors on the transfer case with bad connection/s that you could try some contact cleaner on first.

 

[vwW12]

Looking at the Self Study Program (SSP302) it appears that the same stepper motor activates Low range and the Centre Diff lock. So if Low range works as commanded you would think that the stepper motor is ok. Maybe there are some limit switches or position sensors on the transfer case with bad connection/s that you could try some contact cleaner on first.

Thank you very much. Yes, I can confirm that low range works, and it works well. Since
(1) the fix is $900 (labor included) and
(2) the technician has seen this failure before on other Ts and
(3) I am not a hard core offroader
(4) he is pretty sure it won't damage anything so long as I stay away from locking the diff and
(5) he drove it yesterday and today to check for ride quality

... he recommended today I leave the car alone and keep using it as is.

After all, I've used it over the last 15K miles under this condition.

Car is still in the shop, I just have to make a decision tonight.

 

[vwW12]

Quadcam,

By the way, thanks for pointing out the self-study guide document. Quite enlightening! I had always supposed the Touareg operated in a permanent EDL-mode only, but the guide is clear that anytime EDL does not suffice, and depending on conditions, speed, etc., the computer will lock the center differential and/or the rear differential on an as-needed basis.

Very nifty.

 

[vwW12]

So, if I buy the stepper motor for around $390, shipped, from 1stvwparts, is it difficult to install? Does it require coding or is it plug and play?

Thanks,

 

[vwW12]

So, if I buy the stepper motor for around $390, shipped, from 1stvwparts, is it difficult to install? Does it require coding or is it plug and play?

Thanks,

 

[vwW12]

So, if I buy the stepper motor for around $390, shipped, from 1stvwparts, is it difficult to install? Does it require coding or is it plug and play?

Thanks,

 

[vwW12]

So, if I buy the stepper motor for around $390, shipped, from 1stvwparts, is it difficult to install? Does it require coding or is it plug and play?

Thanks,

 

[Goalie_Ken]

It very easy to install. No coding necessary.

 

[vwW12]

Thank you. Based on your input, I will purchase it and ask my shadetree mechanic to install.

 

[volkswagendude]

Looking forward to your update! I don't have this problem yet knock on wood, but this will be good info to know. $390 is not bad at all. Curious to see how long it takes your own mechanic to perform the job.

 

[ALT-B]

I know this is an old thread... But did the stepper motor solve the issue? Having similar issue with my '04 Touareg...

 

[ALT-B]

Looking forward to your update! I don't have this problem yet knock on wood, but this will be good info to know. $390 is not bad at all. Curious to see how long it takes your own mechanic to perform the job.

Anyone know the part number ?

 

[noobytoogy]

Look underneath your car. The part number and the date of manufacture are very clearly printed on the stepper motor so you can see if your motor is original to your car or not.

The suffix letter following the part number, if the unit is original, is likely to be A.