View Full Version : Warranty with apr tune
lush4
20-09-2011, 08:53 AM
Anyone been denied warranty after a tune ?
Last few weeks when I turn my lights on fuel cuts to the engine for 5secs.
Epc and traction lights come on and cruise won't set. All this with headlights on.
Turns lights off lights go away and cruise works again.
I droppped it off for the day at vw epping last week and was told they fixed it. Drove out of vw tried it and
same issue. So booked it back in for today.
Just dropped it off and now they say it probably won't be covered because it's flashed.
It's got 98k on it so warranty is up soon. It's only 20 months old.
Was planning on ordering a scirocco but now I'm not sure.
h100vw
20-09-2011, 08:57 AM
How do you know the fuel is cutting? Is the engine dying and then coming back on? I'd want to know before they hit you with the bill if the warranty will cover it. If there's any doubt, I'd be taking it elsewhere.
Have you been back to your APR dealer, that would be the way to go for me.
Any ideas what they did to "fix" it the first time?
Cheers
Gavin
lush4
20-09-2011, 09:22 AM
My foots on the pedal while i turn the lights on, the engine cuts out for a minute. May not cut fuel but it feels like it.
They replaced the brake light switch. Last week.
3 months ago they replaced the ecu because I had an engine light. Got it back, light still there. Took it back and they
Replaced a solenoid , light gone.
They are waiting for a reply from vw as to if it will be covered before they work on it.
h100vw
20-09-2011, 09:27 AM
Cuts for a full minute leaving you coasting along or coughs and carries on?
Would have been an expensive ECU is some solenoid really fixed the problem. Did you have to have the APR re-installed?
Gavin
lush4
20-09-2011, 10:02 AM
Yeah had to have it reflashed.
Engine cuts for maybe 3 secs then comes back.
They have never cared about the flash before so why now? Is it to hard to fix so that's the excuse?
I can't see how they can blame the flash unless it's an ecu fault.
Mark
kangfu
20-09-2011, 10:35 AM
I think it would be difficult for them to void any warranty claim as they would need to prove the fault was as a direct result of the flash but having said that, people can make up/find some extraordinary things when it comes to saving money.
Blitzen
20-09-2011, 05:13 PM
Telling them it had been flashed was the first mistake, and not turning the tune off when you have the ability to do so is the second mistake. Honestly, it doesn't sound like an ECU issue, but more an earthing or shorting issue somewhere, possibly in the steering column. The fact that they have miss diagnosed the faults before, then told you they have fixed it without resolving the issue leads me to believe that they have no idea what they are looking at, and that they are trying to use the tune as an escape clause to get you to pay up. I would take it to another dealer if you are looking to get this resolved under warranty, or take it to an auto electrician who has a bit of a clue to try and get this sorted. Either way, I think you are going to pay.
lush4
20-09-2011, 05:30 PM
Just an Update, They have ordered a charcoal canister that is possible causing an issue.
As for telling them it was flashed, when they ask is the car flashed should i lie???
They wouldn't look at the lights issue as i have an aftermarket stereo and want it removed first. ( blaming the stereo wiring)
I Played around again trying to work out the issue my self, When i turn the lights on the brake lights turn on.
This is causing the car to disengage the cruise control. Anyone have any ideas where i should look for the fault??
h100vw
20-09-2011, 05:45 PM
"When i turn the lights on the brake lights turn on."
Take your brake light bulbs out and see what happens then.
I agree there's most likely a wiring fault, finding it could be easy or hard.
Sounds like the dealers know it'll be a tough one and want out. Fitting a new ECU would cost loads and as it's not fixed anything, they might be wearing the cost of that????
Another dealer or an independent would be my advice. Starting with your APR dealer, not because they have caused the fault but because they won't be clueless.
Gavin
kangfu
20-09-2011, 05:49 PM
I had a similar issue in my old Peugeot that was due to a short in a wire running through my speaker to the wiring loom. Happened when an audio installer drilled a screw through both wires :emo_baghead:
Blitzen
20-09-2011, 05:50 PM
As for telling them it was flashed, when they ask is the car flashed should i lie???
Yes, I would... If I had an electrical issue, and especially if I could turn the tune off...
As for looking at where to start, get a scan tool (VAG-COM), and scan for any fault codes. Then, using that as a base, along with the symptoms you have, I would start in the general area where I thought the problem was.
Personally, I think it might be in the steering column or dash, as there is a problem when you turn on the lights that may be affecting the ignition.
If you have no idea what you are doing, leave it to someone else who does. Playing around at random with other things may cause the problem you have to worsen.
In regards to the warranty, legally you can contest the issue that they need to prove it was your actions by having a tune that has caused the issue. I agree with blitzen, your first point of call should be a full diagnostic scan using VAG COM, this will show up the errors and the module affected. I also agree that it most likely sounds like the control module for the steering column, the whole column has it own wee ecu in it:)
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