Mk6 GTI random ESC fault/ electrical power reset since APR tune

[deano163]

Hi all, seeking some thoughts/advice on a frustrating problem I'm having with my Mk6 GTI ('10 build, manual).


I've had this (great!) car since October 2013 and had been faultless up until the 75K km service when I had an APR Stage 1 tune applied.


No problem for the first 2 weeks, but when I tried to start it after work it wouldn't turn over and the info display came up with warning lights and "ESC error!" in the info display. A couple of attempts later, including re-locking and unlocking the car, and it started fine. However all data in the info display (including the trip meter, clock and all averages) were reset along with the stereo presets (just like the battery was disconnected).


Since then, I have had 2 other instances of the ESC error & reset of the display/stereo occur but no problem with starting. Interestingly, the reset seems to occur at or between when it is locked/unlocked - for instance, last night I locked the car, grabbed something from the shops, unlocked the car 2 minutes later and noticed the display was reset before I even inserted the key in the ignition.


The VW specialist who did the tune checked out the fault codes straight after the second time this happened; only one under-voltage code came up, with no record of when that occurred. The battery is less than 12 months old (I have the receipt of it being replaced before I bought it) and although I do have an aftermarket Eonon stereo, it has been faultless since installed last November. At no stage have I flicked between tunes since they were installed, only running the 98 tune.


This is starting to get annoying and I'd like to find out if anyone else has encountered this, either with or without a tune being applied, before I go back to the agent again.


Thanks in advance guys!!!

[Guy_H]

Step 1 would be a battery test. The low voltage code is a big hint in the diagnostics.

Battery voltage can also be effected by: Bad Earth, Bad Wiring Connections, faulty ignition Switch.

Can sometimes be tricky to track down.

[parso_rex]

Doubt its the tune, this is typically what you see after remapping an ECU though if the error codes weren't deleted after the new file was loaded. When loading a new file you effectively take the ECU off line and during this time all the other modules are trying to talk to the ECU and they get upset when its not there, so perhaps they're not real errors, just historical. This is just one option though and it may not apply in your case
The other thing to look at would be the battery terminals themselves, one of them could just be very loose especially since you've had someone replace the battery recently.

That's two guesses

[Reedy]

I had the ESC error when my battery started to go.

[deano163]

Thanks all, will arrange a battery test this week. Had another ESC fault come up this morning (not from dead cold, after driving) without a display reset- will update you all with outcome when known. Cheers!

[deano163]

Good news - it was of all things just the negative battery clamp not attached to the post properly - i.e. literally just sitting on the last 1mm of the post! Classic case of always check the basics first... Looks like the terminal clamp slipped up as it was tightened up - and to add insult to injury, the battery clamp and bolt were just sitting in place too. Someone had a shocker!

Thanks again all, loving the car and VWWC!

[tigger73]

Good to hear you've got it sorted. Thanks for posting the follow up.


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[parso_rex]

told you