Diagnose Codes. Is it a timing chain?

[Zeitgeist 13]

[ocelotpotpie]

I got a little lost on this thread also, so let me try to bring it back on track:

First, Vanagons rule - I don't think I'd bring it back to that shop. The P codes are generic OBDII scan tool codes. I'm going to sound like a broken record but you really want a VW specific scan tool. The information it gives you is night and day.

One quick thing to try is to swap the coilpacks and see if the misfire moves.

If you're getting misfires on 3 and 5, swap 3 to 4 and see if it moves. Same with 5 - try moving to 6.

It's possible the misfires are a timing chain, but it's a lot easier to move the coilpacks and inspect the plugs than it is to pull the upper timing cover.

For reference, if you're facing the engine, cylinder 1 is top left. Cylinder 6 is the right most one.

So it'll look kinda like:
1 3 5
2 4 6

I'd get a proper scan tool such as VCDS, or find a local VW person who has one, and swap the coil from 3 to 4. See if the misfire moves. if it does, your misfire is the coils. If it doesn't, you can dig further by inspecting/swapping plugs.

This is very doable from above in a parking lot without removing a bunch of stuff if you're willing to get your hands dirty or have someone help.

If you aren't comfortable doing it yourself, look for a VW specific shop - or better yet, one with proper Eurovan experience - and bring it to them for diagnosis. A lot of the common problems on these vans are very easy to diagnose for someone familiar with them and with the proper tools.


Finally, if it IS the timing chains, it's an expensive job. But definitely don't have the shop that pulled those codes do it. If they don't have the proper VW scan tool I wouldn't trust them to properly do the timing chains on that engine. I've done it myself several times and it has a few gotchas.

[Vanagons rule]

Thanks for the continued input! I decided to take the van for my first campout. No CEL since my first post on this topic but it is not a daily driver. Got it all packed up to head up into the mountains to get out of the heat. As soon as I started it up, the CEL came on, of course. With my code reader still not“talking” to my van, my daughter and I headed up anyway. 6,000 ft of climbing and about an hour plus of driving. Some dirt roads. It did great. No funny noises that I could tell.
Camped overnight, did some hiking, came down about 2,000ft in elevation (Now 8,000ft) and stopped at a state park visitor center. When I came out 5-10’ later. The CEL was gone. Drove to visit a friend’s campsite nearby. When leaving 1-2 hours later, CEL was back on for the whole drive back home.
I may drive it over to Auto zone this week to have them pull the code(s).
I’m really happy to finally camp in it.
Can someone post a link to the good code reader mentioned above?
Why would my code reader “talk” to my ‘11 Subaru but not this ‘03 Eurovan?
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Nancy

'03 Weekender
Past VW's: '82 Camper x2, '88 Syncro weekender, '88 Syncro, '86 Weekender, few baywindows, split window, couple bugs, and a thing

[Vanagons rule]

Sorry ocelotpotpie, I somehow missed your post when I posted above.
The shop I brought the van to was the local vw dealer and I posted what they said on the printout I was given.
I’ll see if I can ask a friend to help with your recommendations on the coil packs and plugs. Thanks for your input!
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Nancy

'03 Weekender
Past VW's: '82 Camper x2, '88 Syncro weekender, '88 Syncro, '86 Weekender, few baywindows, split window, couple bugs, and a thing

[Abscate]

Check your obd port for voltage on the pin 16 and continuity to ground on pins5 and 6. It could just be you’ve lost supply and your CAN BUS is ok

Let us know if you need a walkthrough on those checks. You will need a $10 analog , not digital, voltmeter.


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.ssS!

[ocelotpotpie]

[Stripped66]

[ocelotpotpie]

[Abscate]

See if there is someone with the AUTEL SCANNER nearby. I can do about 90% of VAG with mine, and I use it in 6 other cars , too.

I hate the “ taggedto VIN” business model. Sell me the hardware and move on.
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.ssS!

[ocelotpotpie]

[Vanagons rule]

Got the recent code(s) read at O’reilly’s since I don’t have a good code reader yet. One says “pending”

Any thoughts on my next move? Just keep driving it? Get the fancy code reader?
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Nancy

'03 Weekender
Past VW's: '82 Camper x2, '88 Syncro weekender, '88 Syncro, '86 Weekender, few baywindows, split window, couple bugs, and a thing

[ocelotpotpie]

IMO if you plan to keep the van for a while then you should invest in the VCDS code reader.

The "pending" code means the torque converter slipped but isn't actively a problem. That could mean low fluid, impending torque converter failure, or it could mean someone was mean to the transmission and now it's fine. Hard to say for sure.

This is why I'd get the VW code reader. You may have more hidden codes that will point to culprits.

The first code could be the cam adjuster. It's a common issue to have the screen be hosed and throw this code. But, again, without more info or diving into the engine it's hard to know for sure.

[ocelotpotpie]

IMO if you plan to keep the van for a while then you should invest in the VCDS code reader.

The "pending" code means the torque converter slipped but isn't actively a problem. That could mean low fluid, impending torque converter failure, or it could mean someone was mean to the transmission and now it's fine. Hard to say for sure.

This is why I'd get the VW code reader. You may have more hidden codes that will point to culprits.

The first code could be the cam adjuster. It's a common issue to have the screen be hosed and throw this code. But, again, without more info or diving into the engine it's hard to know for sure.

[Abscate]

Just clear the codes and drive on for another few weeks, see what comes back

Both of those codes are SAE standard, sine the first number is ‘0’

POxxx

That means the $29.99 scanner will read them, too. Everyone one of my girls got one for their car , along with a cigar cutter for removing toxic male parts
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.ssS!

[xavior12]

I don't know if this is helpful to you with out a VCDS/VagCom scanner but if you did have one, in "Measuring Blocks" Group #208 and #209 will give you that data on the cam phaser's differential timing. -3kw to -6kw is new chains, guides and so on. A -8kw to -10kw is dancing with damage if it hasn't happened yet.

Granted, this is a dynamic value. If the screen is clogging a passage then that could skew your readings.

If some one has VCDS/VagCom, go look at your engines status.