Passat immobiliser problems

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My B6 Passat broke down a couple of weeks ago. The car started and then cut out straight away and the glow plug light was flashing on the dash. Couldn't get it started and got the car towed to a main dealer (south Dublin). They ran diagnostics and said the steering wheel lock was faulty and the car was immobilising itself after starting. So, the best part of €400 later the new lock was fitted with 2 year warranty.

Fast forward 2 days later and the same thing happens, on my way to a meeting, in a petrol station. Rang the garage and they send out a mechanic with diagnostics. A fault showed up with the same part as well as a fault in the comfort control module. Mechanic resets the faults and I left it back in the garage. The couldn't replicate the fault with the central control module and replaced the steering wheel lock again.

No problems for a week or so until yesterday....aaaand same thing happens again. This time they tell me the comfort control module needs replacing and, as part of this work, the steering wheel lock has to be replaced again with me covering the cost. Total cost €800. I haven't given the go ahead for the work as I think the price seems extortionate. Are they trying to rip me off here? Anyone with any experience of this?

Stheno

fullstop wrote: »

My B6 Passat broke down a couple of weeks ago. The car started and then cut out straight away and the glow plug light was flashing on the dash. Couldn't get it started and got the car towed to a main dealer (south Dublin). They ran diagnostics and said the steering wheel lock was faulty and the car was immobilising itself after starting. So, the best part of €400 later the new lock was fitted with 2 year warranty.

Fast forward 2 days later and the same thing happens, on my way to a meeting, in a petrol station. Rang the garage and they send out a mechanic with diagnostics. A fault showed up with the same part as well as a fault in the comfort control module. Mechanic resets the faults and I left it back in the garage. The couldn't replicate the fault with the central control module and replaced the steering wheel lock again.

No problems for a week or so until yesterday....aaaand same thing happens again. This time they tell me the comfort control module needs replacing and, as part of this work, the steering wheel lock has to be replaced again with me covering the cost. Total cost €800. I haven't given the go ahead for the work as I think the price seems extortionate. Are they trying to rip me off here? Anyone with any experience of this?

Surely with a main dealer there is warranty on the steering wheel lock at least?

It's up for it's third replacement?

Have you gotten on to VAG Ireland?

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Stheno wrote: »

Surely with a main dealer there is warranty on the steering wheel lock at least?

It's up for it's third replacement?

Have you gotten on to VAG Ireland?

The steering wheel lock is under warranty itself, but they're saying now that it needs to be replaced again as part of the new part and I've to pay. No I haven't, was only talking to them after 5 this evening.

Stheno

fullstop wrote: »

The steering wheel lock is under warranty itself, but they're saying now that it needs to be replaced again as part of the new part and I've to pay. No I haven't, was only talking to them after 5 this evening.

I'd not be willing to pay for the steering lock to be honest. I'd stand my ground and get a proper breakdown as to why a part that has been independantly replaced is now part of a "greater" part, and how come this hasn't been diagnosed before now and resulted in two replacements?

Also get onto VAG Ireland.

fullstop

Stheno wrote: »

I'd not be willing to pay for the steering lock to be honest. I'd stand my ground and get a proper breakdown as to why a part that has been independantly replaced is now part of a "greater" part, and how come this hasn't been diagnosed before now and resulted in two replacements?

Also get onto VAG Ireland.

Thanks, I'll get onto them in the morning.

fullstop

Stheno wrote: »

I'd not be willing to pay for the steering lock to be honest. I'd stand my ground and get a proper breakdown as to why a part that has been independantly replaced is now part of a "greater" part, and how come this hasn't been diagnosed before now and resulted in two replacements?

Also get onto VAG Ireland.

Contacted VAG Ireland this morning and they were no help really. Said that unless the CCM fault being a result of the work carried out by the dealer that I have to foot the bill. I asked them if they thought the dealer would actually admit they were at fault and he didn't really have an answer. I've had problems with this garage before after spending a lot of money there so VAG said they'd ring the dealer and get back to me. That was 3 hours ago.

The problem seems to be that this can only be done by a main dealer as the parts have to be coded, so basically they know they have me by the balls.

paultronix

if your steering lock is faulty it will in turn log faults in your ccm as both parts are linked to the immobiliser,the steering lock is the most common part in the system to fail and can be purchased from main dealer for approx e70.00 and alot of independent garages with the right equipment can install/program this part .
i personally have never seen the ccm to fail on this model but there again there's always a first and if this is the case you can use a 2nd hand one but yes it will need to be reprogrammed to the car.
it appears to me that your garage is prepared to keep throwing new parts into your car but unfortunately at your expense regardless of whether it solves the problem or not so i'd personally be looking for a good independent garage in your area to get a 2nd opinion.

hope this helps,
regards.