2014 Leon FR 1.4 - EDC light, reduction in power + start/stop error

[TheVoice]

Hi all,

2014 Leon FR 1.4 TFSI owner here, looking for some knowledge/advice. A few weeks ago I had the "Error: Start/stop system" message appear along with the EDC light (and the orange engine symbol). The car still performed the same as it usually does, only wouldn't start/stop at idle. It did this for a couple of days and then cleared of its own accord, so I assumed it was down to the cold temps and short journeys I'd been doing lately putting extra drain on the battery.

All was fine since then until several days ago, about 5 miles in to a 140 mile journey, the EDC light came on again and this time the car felt down on power and acceleration. The start/stop error message also appeared when the car came to a stop. I pulled off the motorway, found somewhere to stop, plugged in my OBDeleven adapter and found errors relating to "Charge pressure actuator and "Turbocharger Boost Control 'A' Module". As a test, I cleared the errors via the app, started the car and began driving again to check for any unusual noises, performance loss etc. The car felt fine, and for the rest of that journey (and the return journey home again a few days later) I had no issues at all.

Yesterday, the EDC light came on again a few minutes after setting off, again with loss of power. I'm in the process of getting the car booked in for a diagnosis first thing next week, but does anyone know what the problem is likely to be, and whether it's going to potentially be expensive? I've done some googling on the above errors from OBDeleven and read some horror stories relating to entire turbochargers needing to be replaced just to fix a faulty charge pressure actuator. Anyone had any experience with this sort of issue?

Thanks very much.

 

[chrisRibiza]

It's the EPC light rather than EDC light.

Yes, it will more than likely be the turbo actuator but worst case it will need the whole turbo replaced. I had Seat assist and they sent a technician out who diagnosed it on the driveway. There is basically steps they need to follow to diagnose it and their computer will do various tests. The outcome of the tests will then tell them if its the actuator or whole turbo which needs replaced.

The only way to tell is let the dealer do the diagnostic tests. My extended warranty covered mine so not sure on cost but I know turbo's can be around £1000

Theres a few threads on here https://forums.seatcupra.net/index.php?threads/epc-light-1-4-tsi-turbo-actuator.434652/

 

[TheVoice]

It's the EPC light rather than EDC light.

Yes, it will more than likely be the turbo actuator but worst case it will need the whole turbo replaced. I had Seat assist and they sent a technician out who diagnosed it on the driveway. There is basically steps they need to follow to diagnose it and their computer will do various tests. The outcome of the tests will then tell them if its the actuator or whole turbo which needs replaced.

The only way to tell is let the dealer do the diagnostic tests. My extended warranty covered mine so not sure on cost but I know turbo's can be around £1000

Theres a few threads on here https://forums.seatcupra.net/index.php?threads/epc-light-1-4-tsi-turbo-actuator.434652/

Thanks, useful thread there. A five-figure bill would not be ideal right now, here's hoping it's just the actuator. Got it booked in for Wednesday so will found out more then.

 

[TheVoice]

Hi again all, apologies for going silent, wasn't able to get this dealt with at the time but it's been in for a service and diagnostic at SEAT (Arnold Clark) today. They've found essentially the same thing I did with my OBD11, a fault code showing for the Charge pressure actuator. They're quoting me £465 just to remove the turbo and inspect it further, any additional work/parts needed will be additional and a new turbocharger could evidently be a substantial bill.

I'm a bit out of my depth here, I appreciate it'll be a labour-intensive task but this feels like a bill that could easily skyrocket depending on what they find. I'm going to get some quotes with some indy VW/SEAT places locally that I've found via Google, does anyone know if that price is "about right" or will I be able to save some money by going elsewhere? The car is out of warranty.

Thanks for any input.

 

[john2017]

Have you tried spraying some wd40 on the actuator arm and body and sliding the arm up and down. The ecu needs to learn where the arm is in relation to the turbo so it might take a few times to learn this - all I know is it worked with my 1.2 tsi which had this fault code

 

[chrisRibiza]

Hi again all, apologies for going silent, wasn't able to get this dealt with at the time but it's been in for a service and diagnostic at SEAT (Arnold Clark) today. They've found essentially the same thing I did with my OBD11, a fault code showing for the Charge pressure actuator. They're quoting me £465 just to remove the turbo and inspect it further, any additional work/parts needed will be additional and a new turbocharger could evidently be a substantial bill.

I'm a bit out of my depth here, I appreciate it'll be a labour-intensive task but this feels like a bill that could easily skyrocket depending on what they find. I'm going to get some quotes with some indy VW/SEAT places locally that I've found via Google, does anyone know if that price is "about right" or will I be able to save some money by going elsewhere? The car is out of warranty.

Thanks for any input.

It’s an interesting reply from the dealer..... my car was tested and diagnosed on my driveway by Seat breakdown cover so if they can do it on the driveway surely a dealer can easily do it.

He plugged it into his laptop then ran several tests and it tested the actuator arm and several other things to diagnose the exact issue and what needed replaced.

Luckily mine was covered under my extended warranty.

 

[TheVoice]

It’s an interesting reply from the dealer..... my car was tested and diagnosed on my driveway by Seat breakdown cover so if they can do it on the driveway surely a dealer can easily do it.

He plugged it into his laptop then ran several tests and it tested the actuator arm and several other things to diagnose the exact issue and what needed replaced.

Luckily mine was covered under my extended warranty.

Yeah, I was a bit miffed that the £90 diagnostic I paid for basically told me the same as what my OBD11 adapter did. I need to go and collect the car in the morning anyway so I'll speak to them then and find out what they actually have and haven't done, because it doesn't sound like the diagnostic nor the "turbo inspection" are particularly good value for money.

 

[TheVoice]

Have you tried spraying some wd40 on the actuator arm and body and sliding the arm up and down. The ecu needs to learn where the arm is in relation to the turbo so it might take a few times to learn this - all I know is it worked with my 1.2 tsi which had this fault code

I haven't ,something to look at trying when I get the car back later this morning though. I was expecting them to have diagnosed the actual problem by this point!

 

[Owen83]

Yeah, I was a bit miffed that the £90 diagnostic I paid for basically told me the same as what my OBD11 adapter did. I need to go and collect the car in the morning anyway so I'll speak to them then and find out what they actually have and haven't done, because it doesn't sound like the diagnostic nor the "turbo inspection" are particularly good value for money.

the problem is you went to Arnold Clarke! always avoid them and go to a local VAG specialist IMO

 

[Ally28]

I was having a very similar issue with my 63 plate 1.4. After reading a few things on here I got the fear it was gonna be an new turbo or something.
The engine light and the EPC light would come on and I had the start/stop error on the screen. I knew my timing belt was a little overdue so I was planning on asking my family-friend mechanic to change my timing belt and have a look at the issue and do the MOT at the same time.

Once he changed the belt and sorted the timing the car was fine. He gave me printout from his diagnostic showing 9 errors codes relating to the cambelt position sensor, boost pressure regulation etc.
Car has been running fine for the last week with no issues.