VW Caddy in Limp Mode
Your VW caddy is driving along normally and all of a sudden it goes into “limp mode”. Your speed is restricted to 50mph (or less) and you’re unable to find the problem. Well, the first thing you should do is call us at Fergies Garage. We have a specialist team on hand to cater to all limp mode needs in your Volkswagen.
Leaving your car in limp mode and not addressing the problem promptly will only cause more problems later on. At Fergies, we recommend contacting us right away if you experience limp mode as we have the experience to fix your Volkswagen, just like our recent client.
Our client recently visited Fergies because of an overheating problem in their VW Caddy. It had entered limp mode, and the owner had no clue what to do. Fortunately, our VW experts were on hand to immediately address the distressed owner and knew how to solve the issue.
Here’s what we did…
Fergies Discoveries
With our team of experts, we discovered a set of warning lights on the customers’ dashboard. It was hardly surprising the Caddy had gone into limp mode!
The vehicle enters limp mode when it knows any serious issues that could render the vehicle faulty if not treated immediately. The speed restrictions make the car work less and reduce the chances of further issues and repair bills down the line.
Dashboard warning lights included:
- Glow Light
- Engine Management Light
The confirmation of limp mode activation was discovered by our team of specialists. The engine simply overheated and had a hard life over just the two years since it was new. The clock read over 125,000 miles meaning it had been driven eight times the UK average distance in that time!
The problem needed to be investigated further by our team of experts to fix the limp mode issue.
Problem Identification
At Fergies, we have a comprehensive 15-step process to diagnose and repair each vehicle that enters our workshop. Every client we work with is left with peace of mind as this saves time and money on expensive repairs later down the line.
A diagnostics test was performed by our specialist technicians to ensure all faults were explored.
Our team found six fault codes:
- P023A00 – Charge Air Cooler Coolant Pump Control Circuit/Open
- P023B00 – Charge Air Coolant Control Circuit Low
- U041600 – Invalid Data Received From Vehicle Dynamics Control Module
- P20FD00 – Reductant Pump ‘B’ Control Circuit High
- P200200 – Particulate Trap (Bank 1) Efficiency Below Threshold
- P208B00 – Reduction Pump A Control Range/Performance
The client made the right decision in taking their Caddy into our workshop at Fergies. Our team has several decades of experience between them and can resolve any VW issue. A DIY mechanic would not be able to identify the meaning behind these codes without the vast knowledge that our team has. Then there’s the case of resolving them.
We take the process further than other garages by performing live data analysis. From here, the fault code readings and live data were used to plan out a test procedure to get to grips with the Caddy’s issue.
The test procedure discovered two breakthroughs:
- Reduced pressure in the EGR valve (Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve), a crucial part of the vehicle’s emission control system, and the cooler caused by a blockage, leading to a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) complication.
- A malfunction in the water pump resulted in inadequate coolant flow and engine overheating.
With these issues pinpointed, our Volkswagen specialists successfully resolved the problems with the Caddy.
How We Fixed The Caddy:
Now our team knew the work required to fix the customer’s vehicle, they discussed with our client directly to run through the repair procedure to ensure they were happy. At Fergies, we always take the utmost care of our customers’ vehicles and guide you through every process to ensure your vehicle is being repaired in the best possible way.
The blockage was removed from the EGR valve, and this opened up the path for pressured exhaust gas to circulate through. No damage was made to the valve, thanks to our specialist team who know how to treat the EGR carefully.
The cleaned EGR valve was tested once more and our team confirmed it was working as it should. This was one issue resolved, the team now had to address the coolant problem.
A replacement water pump was required for the Caddy as the existing pump had failed. Our team of specialists were on hand to order a genuine VW water pump for our customers’ car. Here at Fergies we ensure the best quality parts are used for maintenance, repairs, and servicing.
The coolant issue had now been resolved and the vehicle stopped overheating. Also, at Fergies, we understand the severity of not having your car on the road and we ensure you are booked in promptly to avoid delays. We also aim to beat the dealership repair times, doing so this time!
The VW Caddy was made better again, and our client praised our quick turnaround time, communication, and delivery of their vehicle.
In Conclusion
A customer recently brought their VW Caddy to Fergies due to the vehicle experiencing “limp mode” and overheating issues.
Following a thorough inspection by our VW specialists, utilising our comprehensive 15-step diagnostic process, we identified two problems:
- A damaged water pump.
- A blocked DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)
Thankfully, our experienced team had encountered these issues before. We successfully cleared the blocked DPF, eliminating all soot from the EGR valve. Additionally, we installed a brand-new genuine VW replacement water pump. Our satisfied customer was delighted to have their VW Caddy restored to perfect working condition, all at a cost more favourable than dealership prices.
If you’ve observed a warning light on your VW’s dashboard or if it’s stuck in limp mode, rest assured that Fergies’ VW specialists are here to provide precise and reliable repairs. Call us today at 01635 226470 to schedule your VW check-up.
