VW Tiguan Faulty Diesel Particulate Filter
All diesel engines require a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) to reduce harmful emissions from the exhaust system. However, what happens when it malfunctions? In this blog post, we will answer this question and share how we resolve these problems.
When the engine warning light lit up on our client’s VW Tiguan, they made the smart decision to bring their vehicle to our expert team at JDK Automotive. Despite not experiencing any changes to their usual drive, they were concerned that it could be something serious. The engine management light is an early warning system to alert you when something is wrong. Ignoring this warning could lead to the problem getting worse over time, resulting in an expensive repair bill. We don’t want that, do we?
Our highly experienced VW specialists were confident they could diagnose and fix our client’s problem without delay.
What We Discovered
Upon inspection, our VW specialists found that the Tiguan’s engine management light came on when the car was started. Our technician ran a diagnostic test to determine the cause of the problem, and the following fault code was returned:
P154B 00 – Diesel Particulate Filter, difference pressure sensor faulty.
We consider fault codes to be like road signs as they lead our specialists to where they need to go to find and fix the problem. Our experts use this information together with their knowledge and experience, to get to the root of the issue.
As there was an issue with our client’s DPF, it was crucial to solve the problem quickly before it got any worse.
There are a number of problems that can arise from a faulty DPF:
- Black smoke coming from your exhaust
- Failing your MOT emissions test
- Your VW could go into “limp mode” to protect the engine from damage.
- Mechanical failure
It is important that you don’t ignore these DPF issues, as they could lead to costly repairs.
At JDK Automotive, your VW is in safe hands. We have access to the same VW technical information as Volkswagen dealerships to diagnose and fix issues, such as the one seen here with the Tiguan’s DPF fault. However, at our garage, you will get dealership-level servicing but with better value.
Diagnosing the Problem
Our VW specialist ran a series of live data checks and found the pressure sensor on the DPF had “implausible readings”.
This result could have meant a number of issues, such as a faulty sensor, problems with the wiring, or an issue with the DPF system itself.
To rule out wiring issues, our VW expert ran tests using an Oscilloscope (the main VW dealer wouldn’t do this!) to read the voltage across the wiring. The results showed that all the wires were in full working order, suggesting that the root of the problem lay with the DPF sensor itself.
It was vital our VW technician was able to thoroughly investigate the issue, using our 15-step diagnostic process, to find and fix the underlying problem. At JDK Automotive, we save you time, stress, and money whilst offering you better value than the local VW dealership. We always provide a first-time fix!
Fixing the VW Tiguan
Once our VW expert had identified the cause of the engine management light, we discussed the issue with our client and offered our recommendations on how we could fix their vehicle. You are always in full control of your vehicle at JDK Automotive and it’s only once you give us the go-ahead, we’ll begin fixing any issues.
We sourced a replacement DPF sensor for our client’s VW once they had agreed our plan of action. As your local VW expert garage, we ensure your vehicle receives the quality it needs to perform at its very best by using genuine VW parts or high-quality equivalents.
After replacing the faulty sensor, our expert conducted a live data road test to check the DPF soot loadings. DPF soot loadings are the measure of how much soot is trapped in the Diesel Particulate Filter. It tells us how dirty or clogged the filter is with soot from the engine exhaust.
As a result of our road testing, we were able to confirm that the Tiguan’s DPF was functioning correctly again and the DPF soot loadings were at a safe level.
Furthermore, the engine management light was no longer illuminated!
Our client was delighted to get their car back in perfect working order. Throughout the process, we kept our client updated and provided them with better value than the main VW dealer.
You couldn’t ask for anything more, could you?
In Summary
Upon noticing the engine management fault light on her VW Tiguan, our client brought their vehicle to JDK Automotive. We discovered a fault with the DPF sensor after thoroughly testing the vehicle with VW technical information and our 15-step diagnostic process.
We were fortunate to catch the problem early since our client’s vehicle didn’t show any drop in performance. Our VW specialist then replaced the DPF sensor with a high-quality VW replacement part.
Our expert gave our client their keys back after the VW Tiguan had passed an extensive road test, and they left with a smile knowing their car was back in peak condition.
Does your VW have the engine management light illuminated? Ignoring the problem will only make it worse. For quality VW repairs, call JDK Automotive today.
Contact us to schedule your VW check-up.
