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[Bruce]

Well turns out tightening the battery terminal didn’t solve the problem. So I installed a new MAP sensor and PCV Valve (which should stop an oily throttle body) but still the engine died at stop lights. Then installed a new Crankshaft Position Sensor which took care of the P0322, and wah-lah!

A trip to the car wash and a full tank of gas and DONE!

[Bruce]

While proceeding to clean the throttle body I noticed the positive battery terminal was loose an lifted off by hand. Could this have cause this type of problem? The throttle body is very clean.

[Bruce]

Yes. 2.5. I think most dealerships here in northern NJ have a minimum $1000 amount of work or the mechanic gets the boot. I will try cleaning the TB first. Seems pretty straight forward

[Bruce]

I received no official print out. According to the service desk the mechanic reported:

P3078
P0322
P0106

[Bruce]

Ta dah! Finally, during a 15 mile test drive, the car bogged down to a stop. I restarted it and brought it directly to VW.

Here’s the estimate:
$240 to clean the throttle body. If that doesn’t work, parts and labor to replace it ($606+more labor!)
$319 for a new Speed Sensor
$390 for a new Mass Airflow Sensor

Then, then if this doesn’t work, the have to replace the Wiring Harness which is “Very Expensive”

Edmunds appraises the car at $2,644

[Bruce]

After almost a week, all was good until last night when the car stall at the foot of the driveway. I drove it today 1/8 of a mile to get coffee with the engine light on. Came back to the car and the light was off.

I yearning for my ’69 Fiat 124 Spider. Much simpler, less electronic automobile. This computer stuff is for the birds.

Looking into an OBD2 for iOS to check codes and possibly reset them.

[Bruce]

Update. After AutoZone found no code to check on Saturday, I put Gumout in the tank. On the way home I revved the engine a few times and drove it aggressively to maybe blow off any possible gunk. Today I went to Pep Boys (now with just and engine light) for what I thought would be a more comprehensive code scan. While waiting for the guy to scan for a code (turn out it was the same small scanner the other place had), both lights (engine and EPC) disappeared and stayed off the whole way home.

I stopped and put some premium gas in the car and now I’m hoping it was fuel crud related. Time will tell.

[Bruce]

I know Pep Boys will do this using a high end scanner for a code.
My daughter has been using Regular gas which is what is called for. But would Premium gas and/or additives help? The car runs fine at the moment, and since putting in Gumout there is only an engine light with no EPC light.

[Bruce]

After weeks of investigation, I had a local mechanic work on and replace my ECM. I was told to drive it for 40 miles to set up the data or something. 8 miles out, the engine light comes back on. The mechanic asks if my gauges are bouncing around and acting crazy. Apparently the new code is instrument gauge failure. What fresh hell is this now?

[Bruce]

After code checks at 2 AutoZones and 1 Pep Boys, I got a mechanic to hook the ECU up to an actual computer to look at and reset the ECU. He told me the ECU is not communicating, and confirmed what the auto stores told me that there was nothing wrong with the car… just an “Internal Control Module Memory Check Sum Error – PCM RAM Memory Failure.” So I do need a new ECM. He also told me a good used one should cost $50. All I’m finding on the internets are units selling for $150. Is there a reliable source for these ECUs that will sell them for a reasonable price? RockAuto doesn’t sell them.

[Bruce]

Here’s a follow up…

After contacting an good mechanic and also my Lexus dealership, I opted to have the dealership have a look. They did a recharge which included a tracer for leaks (@ $210). The A/C is performing like new, so it wasn’t a blend door after all. If the A/C continues to work well, we’re done. If there are leaks, it could be as easy as tightening a connection, or replacing a major system part.

Thanks to all for the advise.

[Bruce]

Yes. I’ve tried all combinations of vents, temps and settings. It was suggested to me to pull the AC fuse for 20 minutes in case it was a computery thing but no luck. If it is blend doors, I might have to dismantle to center console some. Maybe it’s a maple seed caught somewhere and it will work itself loose. Perhaps an AC service from Lexus will fix it.

Thanks for the response

[Author]

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