Alright so to continue my on going problems with my A4 in order to remove the CEL and get it to pass inspection has caused me much loss of sleep at nights. I have been active on the forums posting my problems and the community has been quick to respond but no solution has been found.

So after finally giving up trying to solve this myself and brought my car into a local garage where its been for over a week, and still they have not been able to fix it. But they did give me some insight. After checking the sensors and systems that were throwing the CEL codes they have concluded that the systems themselves are in functioning condition. They then said that it must be my ECU that has **** the bed and just keeps thinking that these codes are present. The advice they gave me was to now bring my car over to a stealership and have them reprogram my ECU.

My question to the community is has anyone else had a similar problem with an ECU just throwing nonsense codes like this, and can it be solved by simply reprogramming the ECU? Second does this sound like something that a Vag-com can fix? and if so does anyone in the Hunterdon county or Mercer county areas of New jersey wanna help? And third if i was to purchase a used ECU off of ebay was it the probability that i will get the correct part and that it will work.

tia and i hope with some help i can finally solve this problem that has haunted me for many months

 

Ive heard of phantom codes, but i don't think a re-porgram would solve it if it were the case.

What exactly are the symptoms? It sounds like you have a few threads, for the future just try to keep it all in one so we don't have to ask these type of questions.

Also, where are you located you cant pass inspection with a CEL? I passed with an airbag light and a cel

 

A used ECU can be pretty cheap, you just need to make sure the part numbers match. If you have VAG-COM, you don't even need to worry about manual vs. auto or quattro vs. FWD. You can reprogram these settings yourself pretty easily.

It would be way cheaper than going to the stealership for anything. You don't even need to use ebay if your skeptical, you can usually find ECUs here of other forums like this one.

 

ya sorry about making additional threads i just felt since i was changing the topic a bit a new thread would get more attention and input then re-posting in the old thread. but hear is a list of most of the codes im receiving.

17606-035
oxygen heater circuit: B1 S2

17607-035
oxygen heater circuit: B2 S2

17604-035
oxygen heater circuit: B1 S1

17605-035
oxygen heater circuit: B2 S1

16518- 163
oxygen sensor B1 S1 malfunction : p0134

16538- 163
oxygen sensor B2 S1 malfunction : p0154

16524- 163
oxygen sensor B1 S2 malfunction : p0140

16541- 163
oxygen sensor B2 S2 malfunction : p0157

17843-035
secondary air pump short to ground

17829-035
secondary air injection solenoid short to ground

17833-035
evap purge valve short to ground

17923-035
intake manifold short to ground

17880-035
evap leak detection short to ground

I just got back from the shop and picked up my car, and after talking to the mechanic he tested all the O2 sensors and my SAP and all appear to be in working condition. When he would read into the computer the sensors would appear to be given proper readings, but the ECU would then not be able to read the sensors and throw the codes.

Jones you have actually be the main person giving me a lot of help on this, but after following up on your suggestions i still have a CEL. and actually ive had my airbag light on since ive owned the car and been able to pass inspection. Just recently i re-did the wiring under my seat and now i dont have that. But i live in new jersey and for inspection now they basically only plug into the obdII port and read the computer. When i perform a readyness test with my scan tool (non vag-com) it basically says no systems are functioning. I cant remember off hand exactly which ones says it failing but i can pull them up if it helps. Trying to fix this problem has really burnt a hole in my wallet so buying a vag-com is really out of the question atm, so im really hoping i could get help in that department. If you believe that i could reprogram a new ecu with it i will really troll the vag-com thread to find someone.

 

Your problem sounds liek an ECU deal actually. Id say replace and recode. You reassured all the 02 sensors are good and still every one is throwing a code. Replacements are cheap.

 

alright i have a ebay purchased obdII usb laying around that i tried to set up with vcds lite but could never get it to communicate with the car. Will the lite version work for reprogramming or do i need a copy of the full version?

 

Only full version can reprogram an ECU im pretty sure

 

i reprogrammed with shareware

 

Alright i found someone with a vag-com who is willing to help me with the programming portion of this project. But i just had a few questions about what part to order. I was going to go with a used ECU, but just wanted to double check something. I know the main importance is to make sure that i get one with the same parts number on it, but the local salvage shop only has ECU that are from an A6 and a passat. i know that those models used the same engine but is there anything else i should watch out for if i purchase an ECU from a different model car or if the parts numbers are the same then i will be okay?

 

Ram, where did you find the VAG Com? I'm in N Hunterdon County and may need to use one soon on one of my problems. Thanks