Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76
I just bought a 2002 VW Passat about 2 weeks ago, as a first time buyer. I have been saving to buy a reliable car so I thought that this would be perfect. Two weeks have now gone by and for the first time the EPC light came on and the car will not start. Unfortunately I bought the car with no warranty so I don't know how to go about this problem. If anyone knows what I can do or where I can go please email me at sophia786m@yahoo.com.
We are all at this page because something has happened to our cars. The EPC light went on in my POLO 1.4 2000 yesterday, but car doesn't stop, goes fine although engine is a little too loud. I've been actually satisfied with it so far. I'm going to the garage on Mon, 18th Dec and will see what they say. Then, of course, I'll share it here on the forum. SO far there was no professional joining the forum to advise on re-appearance of EPC light. Hopefully we can help each other!
I have a VW R32 reg. 2003 (Sep).
Situation: Driving on the Motorway.
Symptoms: Noticed a loss of power with my foot on the accelerator - slight jerk forward in the seat - like a slight brake action. EPC light came on - acceleration intermittent despite foot down. Further forward stutters.
Result: Had to compensate and shift power to the lower gears and Rev to 5,000Rpm's. At one point it brought the car to 40Mph.
Moved the car to the left hand lane - closer to the hard shoulder.
Notice that it came on after 35 miles into the journey.
Got to a roundabout - light went out - car returned to normal power. Got back into the car, turned ignition on EPC came on.
Got the car home.
I have a 2002 Passat 4 Motion. Two days ago my radio just stopped working, will not even turn on. I also noticed at the same time that the LED anti theft light has been blinking when I am driving. Then today I went to start the car and it would not start. It appears to be something electrical. If anyone else has had similar problems please let me know. Thanks so much!!
RE:18th Dec 2006, 13:50 (R32 VW Sep 2003).
Phoned VW, took the car in immediately, EPC light came on 10 miles into journey again.
In my case I asked the service person if the problem was the ECU/EPC itself they said No - the EPC simply reports on the malfunction of peripheral sub/components around it.
Dealer did a diagnostic check (£44). Came back with the report which is split into a total of 6 categories. However, the categories do not log date or the time or even the order they have happen (as far as I could tell).
I could clearly see under the category (Electronic Power Control) 1 fault reported:
Brake Light switch listed as: (Implausible Signal).
Dealer replaced the switch (part cost: £6.60) - the whole lot came to £78 (approx 1-1.5 hours I waited).
Please note, ask to see the diagnostic report which comes back from the engineer. Also, ensure the service member explains the report to you. Ensure they also store a printed copy of this report for future reference because the fault memory gets wiped after the diagnostic. Dealers charge for investigation if the warranty is out and it may prove handy to already have this report in the future.
Car is fine (for now) - I feel lucky after reading the previous comments.
My most important tip is if your car is still under warranty, request for a diagnostic test to be done perhaps every 2-4 months especially coming to the end of the warranty. They may charge you for the diagnostic - they may not. But it's a small price to pay when peripheral components appear to be working correctly, but only the diagnostic report goes into detail about any sub components also not working. If your car is out of warranty this may prove costly - especially if it's a malfunctioning sub component of the Air Con system.
I've had a new '56' Polo GTI for about 4 months now. Things gone wrong so far inlcude:
1) Numerous rattles from dashboard and rear O/S door! These were fixed by packing out the dashboard with some felt. The Rear door rattle turned out to be a speaker mount problem, in conjuction with the electric window mechanism which wasn't secured properly.
2.) Clunks coming from suspension and steering column! Ended up requiring new Anti-rollbar droplinks, and a new steering rack - wrong part fitted incorrectly at factory. Not Impressed!
3.) Drivers door creaking like mad when opening closing! Fixed by WD-40!
I should say that with regards to the first two points VW had me waiting 2 weeks with coutesey car for parts to turn up and for fitting. It took two subsequent visits for them to actually resolve the problems fully. They were reasonably good at dealing with a very good at contacting me to keep me in the picture. I did get a little remuneration for my efforts when complaining, which seems only right considering the issues on a new car.
Apart from that I'm happy with the car and nothing has gone wrong since. The ride is a little harsh due to run-flats, but the trade-off is it handles pretty well. The rest of the build quality seems sturdy and the cabin is an inviting place to be.
Performance is good, fuel economy is as to be expected at approx 33MPG. It's a comfortable car with enough room for the majority of people.
It's just a shame that VW's don't seem to be quite as reliable as I remmember them 10 years ago.
A week ago I purchased a 2002 polo s - only now have I discovered this web site and I am now beginning to feel a little nervous about the thought of putting the key into the ignition.
I may just leave the car on the driveway and see what happens!
Thanks.
I am just having a browse over the net as I'm sitting in my house tonight when I'm usually out! The reason I'm not out is because my VW 1.4 is currently back in the garage getting fixed. I'm starting to feel a bit peeved off reading these reports because they are all so true! Start from the start - passed my test at 19 years old and bought my first car, a VW03 plate polo. This was a BIG MISTAKE! I owned the car for about 3 weeks when the engine management light came on.This was when I was on my way home from work, by myself and late at night. First the light flashes and then the car shudders along with hardly any power. When the engine is stopped and then restarted the light comes on but doesn't flash. The car drives OK, but how do you know it's safe! I took it to the garage and the mechanic said that the problem was the coil. As the car was under warranty for one month the replacement coil was free. Luckily I had only owned the car for three weeks! Four weeks later the light reappears when sitting at traffic lights. When the car is stopped the light magically goes away. This happened on and off for a couple of days. I took the car back the the garage six days ago and was advised that it was a "SMALL PROBLEM". The man said there are four cylinders for the engine, two have been replaced previously and now the other 2 needed replacement. I was told it would take two days to fix. When I phoned the garage to see when to collect the car, I was again was fobbed off! The parts they need are very limited in the UK and have to be ordered which will take around two weeks - what a laugh! After reading this webpage, maybe it's because all the parts are a heap of junk! I also have to pay £97 per cylinder so that's £194 altogether. I am really, really gutted. think I'm going to print some of these comments off and take it to the garage where the car is being fixed, and which also sold me the car, and ask them how do they get away with selling something which is useless!
I just bought a 2002 1.4SE last week and epc light came on today.. can anyone who has had problems over the years let me know if electric problems have been fixed over time.
Purchased a VW Polo 1.4 in June 2006. EPC light has come on today. Have no idea what this is & don't want to take it to a garage to be ripped off!! Can anyone tell me what the EPC light is and best thing to do!! jtl.lewis@yahoo.co.uk.
The epc light as most of you are aware is an electronical fault that can only be diagnosed using a scanner. if I can offer any advice it would be to go to a back street garage where they offer really competative prices and just have a scan to find out what fault your car has.
The EPC light came on in my Polo (02 reg). Since I've had the car I've had nothing, but problems- A loose rear door, a window that keeps ratlling, after a few months some coils had to be replaced after the car came to a shuderring stop. Now the EPC light has come on-
Does anyone know-
1 what EPC stands for?
My brother drives a Nissan Micra, 10 years old from new and says that he has never had a single problem.
Thanks.
Vincent.
2001 PASSAT GLS.
2002 Check engine light on, went to dealer 7 times
2003 side light cover broken
2004 Vacucm line replaced
2005 brake replaced
2006 EPC light on and Engine stalled on High way!!!
Dealer has no clue after I spent $50 for checking, Everything seams fine when dealer tested it...
Do you have any idea?
Ynkm_jj@yahoo.com.
I bought a brand new polo last year 1.2 litre comfort line, I traded in a 99 polo (which was my first car!) car has been back to garage about five times now, needed a new radio, a new window seal as when I was drying I kept thinking I was in a bee hive, with all the sound effects coming in window, radio had to be replaced because of a problem with the lcd display, what else oh yes a new battery casing need to be fitted as the other one was just sitting somewhere under bonnet, and finally rain has come in recently the windscreen so they think, (anyone got an umbrella!) it is in garage at the moment! give me back the old polo any day, not a ounce of trouble I had, seriously thinking of get rid of present car!, if only everything was a reliable as a vw, I think this needs to be re-phrased.
I bought my 4 year old Polo 1.4 in January 2007 second hand. Thus far:
Taken back to garage within 5 days. Fault with OS electric mirror. Garage claim that there is a lump in the plastic casing.
Second visit to garage 3 days later. OS electric mirror still not working (I do point out on both occasions that its the motor, but I'm a girl and they ignore me). Garage decide its the motor so take the part from another on the forecourt.
Third visit to garage 4 weeks after purchase. Car is cutting out (almost like dropping too many gears in one go) and then cutting in again. Steering gets heavy. Pretty scary at 70mph down the motorway. Garage fix problem = throttle casing is dirty.
Fourth visit to garage 7 weeks after purchase. Car is having the same problem as above. Garage make an assessment and decide it needs a new master clutch cylinder.
Fifth visit to garage 10 weeks after purchase. Car stalls randomly at a junction. I hope nothing bad is happening and carry on. Whilst driving, emissions light and red oil light come on, rev counter dies. I get the car home and call Volkswagen Assistance the next morning. They arrive within an hour and perform a diagnostic test. 3 faults are highlighted including the engine speed sensor. Technician tries to replicate the fault on my driveway to no avail. I take the car to the garage with a copy of the report from Volkswagen Assistance (who incidentally aren't Volkswagen) and the garage decide to perform their own diagnostic test leaving me stranded without a car.
Currently, they have replaced the highlighted part, but are still getting a fault on the system so want to keep my car in. Quite frankly I don't think they'll find anything, but they are at least embarrassed and are offering me a courtesy car (my 3rd) if it is not fixed by the weekend.
Between my mother and I we have owned at least 6 Volkswagens, Polos and Golfs. Only with one of them did we have issues with suspension coils, brakes and gear boxes, but at least they knew what the problem was and could fix it.
We were looking for a way to show my brother the value of a warranty - I wish it wasn't my car that was the test case.