[Deefee]

Volkswagen. 2010 tdi.
Car has an issue with def tank. Not registering when it gets filled up.
Take it to dealership. So they replace one side intake manifold and a single nox sensor. Told them that wont fix it. They do anyways.
Now, after some driving, they still cannot get the def light to go away.
So they decide to replace the other side intake manifold, and all nox sensors.
Asked if they have even looked at the def tank module, they say no.
Just in case you wonder why it costs a fortune to get something fixed at a dealership.

 

[New2Tregs]

With no Treg details that I could see in your post, I'm going to guess they did all the work under warranty.
This is what makes forums like this so valuable. Not to mention having a VCDS cable. You'd have better luck fixing your Tregs problems and most likely with more accuracy than stealerships can or do. That is if it's out of warranty.

 

[SaVAGeSoot]

Do you not notice the "refill DEF" warning when you go pick it up after every time they replace the intake manifold?
Or if you haven't picked it up yet, are you not enjoying driving a loaner\rental while they throw parts at your vehicle until they guess right?

 

[Deefee]

With no Treg details that I could see in your post, I'm going to guess they did all the work under warranty.
This is what makes forums like this so valuable. Not to mention having a VCDS cable. You'd have better luck fixing your Tregs problems and most likely with more accuracy than stealerships can or do. That is if it's out of warranty.

Sorry. It is a 2010 tdi. But still under emissions warranty. So Im good with it. But Id like my car back already. Tired of drivin my truck anytime I gotta tow anything.

 

[Deefee]

Do you not notice the "refill DEF" warning when you go pick it up after every time they replace the intake manifold?
Or if you haven't picked it up yet, are you not enjoying driving a loaner\rental while they throw parts at your vehicle until they guess right?

I have not picked it up yet. And yea, the wife is enjoying the loaner, but not me. Plus we had to wait 3 weeks for them to have a loaner available. And now I have to use the guzzler anytime I need to pull a trailer. But it still had 3k of emissions warranty left.
just rant over idiots in shops that are called techs.

 

[SaVAGeSoot]

You realize that you can hit up a different dealer if the one you're dealing with is incompetent?
Call VWoA and tell them about your struggles. Ask for compensation for those 3 weeks of "loaner wait".
Remember, the techs get paid by the hour.... if they can just throw parts at it without getting heat, why wouldn't they?
Have you talked to the service manager about the "struggle"?

 

[Deefee]

You realize that you can hit up a different dealer if the one you're dealing with is incompetent?
Call VWoA and tell them about your struggles. Ask for compensation for those 3 weeks of "loaner wait".
Remember, the techs get paid by the hour.... if they can just throw parts at it without getting heat, why wouldn't they?
Have you talked to the service manager about the "struggle"?

I cant take it elsewhere. That is my closest dealership…at almost 2 hours away. It was down to 250 miles till no restart on def light by the time I got to take it to them. I know it is the def module on top of the tank, but they say it isnt throwing any codes to make them go that direction.
The alternator had just gone out right before the issues with the def light. When it was 7 degrees here.

 

[SaVAGeSoot]

Did you scan it yourself or how do you know that?

 

[Deefee]

Did you scan it yourself or how do you know that?

Well I am very mechanically inclined to start with. But lets go back to alternator issue. Had to be replaced. Only place around (including online) that had or could get one was dealership. So they got it. Which I drove it there. Yea. No alternator. Jumper cables ran from under hood into car with 2 tractor batteries in front seat.
low voltage bs of course. Can only run on a battery so long with no charge back in. And thats when def module starts to act up.
Now ive take the tank and module off. Sucked dry. Rinsed clean. Refilled. Light refuses to reset. Look some more. (Didnt bother using my e tester) Pull codes ( not using vagcom). Nothing to show anything in regards to def. Dont have vagcom, so cant use it personally, but dealer should ( right?).
Anyways. Codes show dpf regen and a nox sensor out. No big deal. Nothing to do with the fact that the def light wont reset.
Kicker. If the vehicle still registered the amount of def in the tank, it would jot count miles exactly. As idle time and different driving habits change the def usage.
But you can continue to question. Thats fine.

 

[SaVAGeSoot]

Not sure why you got offended... I'm gathering info.
If you had a scan code to show, you could "entice" the service manager to look at the Def Module.
Running without juice throws all kinds of codes in these vehicles.
The fact that you don't have VCDS simply tells me that you cannot properly see\reset all the errors in all the modules.
Yes, the dealer will have the VAS factory tool which will allow them to check and see everything.... but you are just speculating that it is a module without really having any proof of it.

There's a VCDS locator thread somewhere... why not try to get scanned by someone close to you?
Also, just to save you from all that driving to the dealer, why not invest in VCDS yourself?

 

[SaVAGeSoot]

Check out #12... good deal

7L/7P Parts- Lift Spacers, Skid plate, Bilstiens and more

Ok. After 3 Toaureg TDI's I have decided to say goodbye. I have a lot of left over parts brand new. Pictures coming but unless stated, all parts are NEW. Some of the smaller items I will ship for free within the US. All prices are Firm Full set of Bilstein B4 shocks- $475.00 4x Upper Shocks...

www.clubtouareg.com

 

[Deefee]

Not sure why you got offended... I'm gathering info.
If you had a scan code to show, you could "entice" the service manager to look at the Def Module.
Running without juice throws all kinds of codes in these vehicles.
The fact that you don't have VCDS simply tells me that you cannot properly see\reset all the errors in all the modules.
Yes, the dealer will have the VAS factory tool which will allow them to check and see everything.... but you are just speculating that it is a module without really having any proof of it.

There's a VCDS locator thread somewhere... why not try to get scanned by someone close to you?
Also, just to save you from all that driving to the dealer, why not invest in VCDS yourself?

I do intend to invest in vcds myself. But Ill have to buy the pro part, as this is our 5th vw It would have been used on.
Sorry. Not trying to be offended. But as stated, a pretty decent mechanic myself. Recently terminated from a 10+ yr job, and just dont have the funds to pay for things.
If, you were a decent mechanic (not saying you are not) and looked at everything I have regarding this, you would notice that there is only 1 part that can cause the failure.
In lamens terms (as I have put it to others) it is like the fuel gauge quit working, so we will start by changing the oil.
I come from working on old squares. While the newer vehicles can have a stupid sensor somewhere that causes an issue, it would not cause a def tank level issue. Troubleshoot the problem. Find the source.

 

[SaVAGeSoot]

I'm only an internet mechanic.... Just an enthusiast. The older interface, specifically the one linked above and the RS-232 one that I use are not VIN limited. You can check with the seller, but I'm 99% sure.

Also, not trying to take anything away from your experience or apptitude, but if you look up at how the system senses the def level, you'll see that there's something like 3 different resistor probes that get tripped at various levels.... Without the correct diagnostic tool you cannot possibly tell if it's a wiring issue, a sensor, a module, a fault code, etc.

VCDS is invaluable, even more so with 5 VAGs and being hours away from dealers, etc.

 

[SaVAGeSoot]

Visual of said system

 

[djklhc]

I had a similar issue last year with my 2010. The dash alerted with the usual "No restart after xxxx miles" so I filled the tank I believe on a Saturday and the message went away. I took off for work on Monday morning and mid commute the message came back, curious. I stopped and got more DEF and continued to work where luckily we have a motor pool and I was able to borrow a funnel. Started pouring, might have gotten 20oz in and it starts overflowing and the dash still showed the message that it was low. I called the dealership and told them the story and took it to them the following day.

My local dealer seems very fair and the service advisor I was dealing with was great to work with. They had a loaner ready for me and I was on my way. They had my Treg for 7 days and drove it 90 plus miles and were unable to get the message to go away. They even contacted the "mothership" and tried several things they suggested to no avail. They eventually got the message to clear but both the service advisor and the assigned tech told whoever they contacted at VW that they believed the DEF injector needed replacing but VW told them "if the message is clear, give it back to the customer"

I picked it up on a Friday, the SA leaned toward me and said "just FYI, we are almost certain the message will come back" I said "well if it does i'll be back". That Sunday my girlfriend and I went to run errands and sure enough, the message was back. I went straight to the dealer Monday, didn't bother calling, and that same service advisor had a loaner ready and had already created the work order . He said "Told ya!" They only had it 3 or 4 days this time.

So short story long, in my case it was the DEF injector. That was about a year ago, last week the CEL came on and I scanned it. 2 codes having to do with EGR and DEF and it makes a gurgling sound from the underside now when I start it. I drop it off at the dealer tomorrow at 3, fingers crossed...

 

[volkswagens-for-life]

Things aren't always what they seem in German cars or German diesel emissions. Codes and problems are often caused by totally unrelated problems. I've had catalyst injection problems that were only problems on paper, caused by bad EGR