steering column lock fault

kincaid

on 2007 passat

has been sitting up a while but lady drove it last week and went out one morning and wont start and displaying steering column lock on screen

guy put diagnostic scanner on it and says it ECU is damaged and needs replacing

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058229869/steering-column-lock-fault

Scanner only read DTC, it does not make the diagnostics. DTC is only for guidance. The real diagnostics base DTC (done), schematics/diagram (not done), testing the component powers/grounds/communication (not done) and proofing the fault(not done). So make the real diagnostics, not swapnostics (parts swapping). Oscilloscope, test light and power probe is must have tools. Scanner, even 4eur one can read the generic codes. I do not understand these people who think the scanner is the full diagnostics. Obviously they need to search soon the new profession, because cars goes more and more complicated. Without able to do proper diagnostics, they spend too much time for guessing and guess who pays for that? Customer pays for unnecessary works. Look, soon you can see here load of angry persons....uhh

You may have more information what happened before that error. Example slow cranking, flat battery, jump starting, noise, smell or anything else.

Toyotafanboi

Would you ever give that un-necessary waffle a rest. Jaysis, every thread in here, yada yada.

The ESCL units are a popular fail on those Passats, think they around €200 ish iirc. The reality is, it probably is brown bread.

kincaid

the 2.0 litre golf tdi, is it the same, can you use this module and re code it in

kincaid

so no way around this except for changing the module ?

Toyotafanboi

Correct

mickdw

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118534924#Comment_118534924

As the fellas above said, common fault and just reading the thread title, it was a dead cert to be a Passat of roughly that vintage yet you come along with the typical nobody knows anything rant YET didn't reference the common failure that nearly everyone on this forum would be familiar with.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118587777#Comment_118587777

If wish, play with you wallet the swapnostics.

Toyotafanboi

It's more like brand specific knowledge.

If you've seen hundreds, if not thousands of b6 Passats over the years with red steering warning lights on the dashboard, with warning messages for the steering lock and in every example without fail it's the same causal part - the ESCL unit, it's fair to say in this scenario it is the lock unit again.

With the cost of the part and the probability that the educated preliminary assesment is correct, it's a more cost effective and profitable repair process to swap out the part that commonly fails than spend half a day scoping wires and bench testing shite to confirm what you know is faulty anyway. Even in the one in a thousand circumstance where you guestimate it wrong.

You do talk some waffle.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118588344#Comment_118588344

Some reason most of that age cars have similar issues and ebay is flooded the repair parts. No need entire module, just replace the failing things

Toyotafanboi

There's no economic value in repairing a module that costs €200.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118588541#Comment_118588541

Why to buy new, if several euro worth of parts makes it like new? This is DIY section, not business section!

mickdw

I'd have a go at anything. Sometimes fresh solder will solve. Sometimes cleaning etc but that is as a diyer and if I spend half of my Saturday with a module spread out on the kitchen table, so be it and if I save the cost of a new one, great but it's is you who suggests people need a real mechanic who can truly diagnose. If you or your business can sustain that type of work where you could spend hours on a module that may or may not prove successful, I like to know how that works.

I can see a wheeler dealer type flipping cars having a go but a working workshop, not a hope.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118588693#Comment_118588693

For you too, this is not business section! This is DO IT YOURSELF section! Replacing or cleaning 1 or more micro switches is not hard job to do. Even these PCB relays is easy to replace as DIY. Drink less and your hands does not shake so much. Typically these micro switches can have a corrosion

I almost eat my words, until I found the cheap micro switches and relays. Do not buy these 30-50eur full kits (2x relay and 2x micro switches). These prices is way-way cheaper. How cheap? About 1.75eur per micro switch or relay. 7eur for full kit including shipping. Google yourself!

Toyotafanboi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118588629#Comment_118588629

Because it takes hours and hours. That time has a value, business or not. Life is short, maybe different if the new component was €2000 not €200.

If this is the DIY section why do you keep advising so much non DIY practisce?

Anyone could swap out an ESCL unit DIY, not many, if any would have the tools and knowledge to remove one, strip it, bench test it, repair a faulty piece of circuitry, reassemble it in such a way as it will actually work and rebuild.

You're talking serious waffle.

mickdw

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118588840#Comment_118588840

I'm well aware and have previously bought micro switches online for proper fixes and some botches too.

The fact remains, the op here has neither the knowhow or the time I'm sure to attack this fault. It will be a garage repair and there is no way they will be doing anything other than swapping out.

Swapnostics as you put it is a nice term but imo would refer to the clueless mechanics who blindly swap parts.

Swapping out a module where experience has told you everytime that this is the required fix would be very reasonable practice.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118591725#Comment_118591725

Swapping the module procedure is about 90% from total total job (removing module, repair module and installing it back). So why not make that small effort? And who guarantee the replacement unit is better? Same old used garbage and can fail any minute. You forgot the new module need adaptation too, so another XXXeur just gone. Is it really so hard to learn new skill and to do the real repair job DIY? No, you look excuses how not to do anything and reduce everyone else DIY repair morale too. Obviously DIY is not for you!

If your hands are shaking, go to nearest electronics repair shop and they solder these for you for small money. It sill qualify as DIY...partially

Toyotafanboi

Ultimately, because most people dont care. Also because that 90% can be done with a few basic hand tools that a hobbyist might have where you need a rake of specialist bits to repair the unit that would cost more to buy than the unit itself and **** driving around the country trying to get someone to fix it. Lord Jaysis.

Just because someone wants to do it DIY, it's not all about learning a new skill, sometimes it's just to keep their car going.

A pragmatic approach is needed for these things. I had a grandfather like yourself, if i said black, he'd say white, just for the sake of an arguement.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118594797#Comment_118594797

Is it really easier to program the replacement module than replace the faulty part(s). Why you make things more complicated to DIY enthusiast? For programming they need to buy insane expensive tool.... what a joke. Do not say., "They can go to garage". It is DIY section!

OP have nothing to lose if he try to clean the micro switches. Module need to be removed anyway, why not to dry before scrapping it? If OP can fix such a simple thing, it can motivate him to do much bigger and harder DIY jobs. So, stop killing his motivation! We all understand, you are not able to do such a job, but you can to do something else much better than others.

SloppySkidMark

Local shite talker

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118595052#Comment_118595052

reported

SloppySkidMark

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118595072#Comment_118595072

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c206hoNnZec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118595353#Comment_118595353

What is your problem?

endacl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118595072#Comment_118595072

Jaysus.

Must be hard? Living in a world where you’re the only person who knows anything about anything...

SloppySkidMark

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118595636#Comment_118595636

My problem is your in every thread spouting nonsense.

Give it a rest will ya

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118595770#Comment_118595770

You want nonsense? Here it comes!

Read that and make your own conclusion https://www.ncts.ie/1096

Constantly around 50% failure on NCT. Something very wrong is going on. Look, these is not covid years, where everything is bit sloppy.

You should cry how bad is things. All thanks for your type of persons!!!

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118595673#Comment_118595673

I never ever said "I know everything". I suggest to walk away from that type of persons. Blame me, like I am that type of person, you play only fool. I learning every day

SloppySkidMark

case in point

Mech1

I'm a professional mechanic, I have been for the last 39 years.

Local mechanics account and posts are a total waste of your time reading, I'm putting him on ignore list where he should be.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118595886#Comment_118595886

I seen many "I am professional, you know nothing!" style of workers. It is bit sad, old dog does not learn new tricks.

SloppySkidMark

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118595886#Comment_118595886

Its because of your type of person NCT 50% fail!

You have cheap Chinese scanner rubbish, real BMW is £££$$$ L@@K

Mech1

I don't post here much, but I read almost everything and I'm very sure about what I said above. Some people just can't be told, some people have 110% faith that they are right, some people learn Ohms law and think they are electronics genius!

Mechanics like our "Local one" appear to have a pc for googling and a code reader. It's not enough.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118595918#Comment_118595918

My programmers cost more than your car. These is not my NCT failures, these is yours

SloppySkidMark

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118595935#Comment_118595935

Ebay crap🙄

Mech1

I will put a picture of the diagnostics left in my hall today,

Now, who's fooling who ?

Mech1

And that's without going to the workshop to photograph everything.

Mech1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118595967#Comment_118595967

This is not p izzing competition.

Mech1

Oh right so you can't piss that high?

Get off the pot !

Toyotafanboi

Lol, it was literally a pissing competition until you started losing Local Car Mechanic!

You've even flat out insulted the fellas 4 decades of experience without know a single thing about him.

If there ever was a reason to ignore your posts, this is it.

Boards and particularly motors was a great collective knowledge base in years gone by, it's not about mickey waving or proving everyone elses ideas wrong. You've a strong know it all attitude on here.

mickdw

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118593502#Comment_118593502

Why are you directing this crap at me re shaking hands and diy not for me.

You are talking crap on every thread you appear on.

I get the impression that maybe you hang around with mechanics and have dreams of being a mechanic. Maybe you are the valet guy at a car dealers and didn't want to put up a photo of you sponge and bucket as it mightn't compare too well with the gear posted above.

I did not lost, I had business to run. I can say that, we pi zz(a)ing on slightly on different fields. My main focus is IMMO and hard to program modules, what you can only dream about. Total programmable chips count is about 30 000 different MCU, flash, EEPROM. Beat that if you can. Up to 80% cars on market can program IMMO. Ok, like I said the focus is slightly on different fields.

Ok, we all need to find the peace and make some kind of agreement. If we keep going that way, it does not solve many things. I do not say it is completely bad, just it may generate too much pi zz (a) off

My proposal is to cool down, not make a things personal. If you see something and know better, just educate others. I am not that person who says "I know everything". Nobody can not know everything, just too many things and constantly coming new "toys" to the market. Last 25 years the cars got every year more and more electronics, what made things more complicated. Many of us troubleshooted and struggled many hours to solve one or other problem. It is very valuable experience, more struggle = faster learning. We can help and educate the next generation. Do not send them instantly "replace module", because what you to do is basically send that person to garage (no DIY). Just can not change module at home, what need adaptation. For DIY there is always possible to be creative, what typically on garage is not reasonable or practical. Let"s say OP can not solder or understand anything about electronics. Fine, nobody does not force. First electronic repair shop does it easily. Because these micro switches typically have corrosion, the OP can try completely non textbook repair methods. Soak the micro switch(es) on electric contact cleaner, dry and hope the best. Nothing to loose because micro switches or entire module goes anyway to the bin (if no fix). DIY can wast load of times what is not practical on garages. That is why, do not ever suggest only garage repair methods. Who knows, may be you can develop completely new methods even for garage use.

Do we all have agreement or not?

SloppySkidMark

I found this picture of LCM hard at work.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118598393#Comment_118598393

STOP THAT GARBAGE!

mickdw

Why not come on here and say you specialize in electronic repair and programming. You would certainly have people picking you brains and likely sending work your way if genuine. Instead you write as though everyone else are idiots.

Also you seem to believe every electronic item is repaired by replacing micro switches.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118598924#Comment_118598924

This is not business section and I do not looking the extra job.

You can not blame me, I helped many members out and provided the service manuals etc. I see every day others very-very poor job. They should never work on that industry, period! Like you seen, the statistics talks how bad is Irish cars. Sure, owners should take a more care but they blame insanely bad workers. It is time to educate them or kick out from that business.

On that module have 4 easy failing components, micro switches and relays.

Mech1

Deffo heard enough slagging off of the Irish motor mechanics now, and there is no need for it.

My ignore option is activated in 3,2,1 poof!!

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118601225#Comment_118601225

The truth hurts? F-f-f-fantastic

Toyotafanboi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118601683#Comment_118601683

It's probably not a great way to make friends coming onto an Irish motoring forum to berate Irish motorists and mechanics against yourself.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118602500#Comment_118602500

Again, your information is completely wrong. I never ever said I am smarter or better. But this is 100% true, that business is full of people who should not ever work on that industry. Thanks for these monkeys, we all have a hard time to fix their mistakes.

I was planning to forgot the harsh conversations, but look how everyone likes drama. They did not accept the peace offering! They made complete opposite and pour more oil to the fire.

Everyone who demoralize the DIY makers and suggest to go to garage should be banned from DIY section for forever. Directly or indirectly, the suggestions only lead for garage job. Replace the module = garage, because DIY makers does not have a tools for adaptation. Ignoring the real repair and suggesting garage repair...W TF.

Hellrazer

Local Car Mechanic - Theres a lot more times I have to fix a diyers attempt at fixing something than something a main dealer has repaired so your argument that main dealers make a mess of things is incorrect - its often **** ups by diyers that end up costing the driver a lot more than it would have had they brought it to a dealer.

By the way Im all for diying as much as possible as long as you have some experience in swinging a tool.

But to come on here and completely slate all main dealers is just pure wrong and you arent doing yourself any favours with the users here.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118604963#Comment_118604963

So, your suggestion is to rename DIY section, because so many thinks it is the garage playground?

There is very big difference who screw up the things, is it DIY or other garage/dealer. I see mostly other garage/dealer garbage jobs. These people must be brainless there.