B5 Passat soft coding question

[El Polaco]

I have a 01 B5 Passat in the shop that required a replacement ECU. The previous ECU flooded and had heavy corrosion on the board which prevented me from communicating with the ECU. I purchased a matching number (only manufactured 1 day apart) used ECU online from a seller in the N.E. United States (Massachusetts). When I checked the soft coding on the used replacement ECU it shows that the previous car was coded as a 16 ULEV (ultra low emission vehicle). The software coding was 16551 being ULEV (16), FWD (5), automatic trans 01V/09A (5), B-class Vehicle type (1). The workshop coding was 01084. A few years ago I lived in Massachusetts and worked mainly on BMWs and recall very few BMW ULEV cars that were unique with added emissions devices. Those cars were only sold in parts of the north east US and California (perhaps other parts of the world as well).

Since I never had a chance to acquire an auto scan from the car before the customer came in and the ECU was bad, how can I tell if this car should be a (16) ULEV or (07) N. American LEV? Were all North American Passats ULEV? The car is running fine as is with used ECU but I'm tempted to change the soft code to 07551. I am currently unable to post the auto-scan as my netbook is not connecting to the internet for some odd reason. I'm working on getting it resolved. Hopefully, someone can answer the question without it.

 

[jyoung8607]

Since I never had a chance to acquire an auto scan from the car before the customer came in and the ECU was bad, how can I tell if this car should be a (16) ULEV or (07) N. American LEV? Were all North American Passats ULEV? The car is running fine as is with used ECU but I'm tempted to change the soft code to 07551.

It's tough to advise you without a scan or a VIN or the ECU part number. Here there be dragons: the facelift Passat came along in mid-year 2001, and you don't mention an engine code. There were several revisions to both the 1.8T and 2.8 V6 engines over the years.

For starters, pop the hood and find the EPA sticker with the emissions test group number (should look kind of like '1ADXV01.8342'), and look up that test group ID on the EPA's website. That will give you the original EPA emissions class you're looking for. Also, given that it came in with a bad ECU, also consider the possibility it was messed with before you got a look at it. Verify the ECU part number is the correct original or superseding part for that car's VIN in VW's parts database.

Jason

 

[El Polaco]

Thanks Jason, you got me pointed in the right direction. I found the sticker under the hood, it says car meets NLEV and California ULEV requirements for the year 2001. I am going to leave it as is for now as it seems to be working fine. Engine is an AUG 1.8t. Its a ratty car with numerous other issues that need to be addressed.

The ULEV stuff got me thinking as I remember a weird E46 BMW coming into the shop I used to work at in Massachusetts that was a SULEV car. SULEV being Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle. It had a sealed stainless steel gas tank and a few other weird things like an ozone reduction radiator. The fuel pump and filter were sealed in the tank and required the entire unit be replaced to change the other components. Talk about an expensive repair. I wasn't sure if VW made similar "green" cars for certain markets. My wi-fi is working again so I included the auto scan below. Sorry about that.

Chassis Type: 3B - VW Passat B5 (1997 > 2005)
Scan: 01 02 03 08 15 16 17 19 35 36 37 46 47 55 56 57 58 75 76 77
         
 
   Mileage: 181140km-112555miles
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 01: Engine        Labels: 06B-906-018-AUG.clb
   Part No: 4B0 906 018 BQ
   Component: 1.8L R4/5VT     G   0004  
   Coding: 16551
   Shop #: WSC 01084  
   VCID: 71E3CD8D3BD8AFA991E-5140

2 Faults Found:
18057 - Powertrain Data Bus 
            P1649 - 35-00 - Missing Message from ABS Controller
16825 - EVAP Emission Control Sys 
            P0441 - 35-00 - Incorrect Flow
Readiness: 0110 1101

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 02: Auto Trans        Labels: 01V-927-156.lbl
   Part No: 3B0 927 156 AA
   Component: AG5 01V 1.8l5VT USA 1010  
   Coding: 00104
   Shop #: WSC 00000  
   VCID: 65CBA9DDFF107309FD6-5140

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 03: ABS Brakes        Labels: 8E0-614-111-EDS.lbl
   Part No: 8E0 614 111 A
   Component: ABS/EDS 5.3 QUATTRO D10  
   Shop #: BB 24334  
   VCID: 1C3DCC398CDA72C1928-515E

1 Fault Found:
00285 - ABS Wheel Speed Sensor; Front Right (G45) 
            30-00 - Open or Short to Plus

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 15: Airbags        Labels: 6Q0-909-605-VW5.lbl
   Part No: 6Q0 909 605 C
   Component: 03 AIRBAG VW6       0003  
   Coding: 12339
   Shop #: WSC 05311  
   VCID: 37773395153C31999FA-4B06

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 17: Instruments        Labels: 3B0-920-xx2-17.lbl
   Part No: 3B0 920 920 B
   Component: B5-KOMBIINSTR. VDO V26   
   Coding: 07245
   Shop #: WSC 05311  
   VCID: 1D3BC13D97C07BC9656-5124

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 19: CAN Gateway        Labels: 6N0-909-901-19.lbl
   Part No: 6N0 909 901 
   Component: Gateway K<->CAN    0001  
   Coding: 00005
   Shop #: WSC 05314  
   VCID: 70E5C88930D2A6A19E0-5124

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 46: Central Conv.        Labels: 1J0-959-799.lbl
   Part No: 1J0 959 799 AJ
   Component: 6W Zentral-SG Komf. 0001  
   Coding: 04096
   Shop #: WSC 05311  
   VCID: 06098E512256981154C-4B06

   Subsystem 1 - Part No: 1J1959801D
   Component: 6W Tõrsteuerger. FS0002r  

   Subsystem 2 - Part No: 1J1959802E
   Component: 6W Tõrsteuerger. BF0002r  

   Subsystem 3 - Part No: 1J4959811D
   Component: 6W Tõrsteuerger. HL0002r  

   Subsystem 4 - Part No: 1J4959812D
   Component: 6W Tõrsteuerger. HR0002H  

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 56: Radio        Labels: 1J0-035-18x-56.lbl
   Part No: 1J0 035 180 B
   Component:  Radio DE2         0004  
   Coding: 00401
   Shop #: WSC 05311  
   VCID: 1E39C6319AC660D17CC-51D4

No fault code found.

End-------------------------(Elapsed Time: 05:03)--------------------------

 

[jyoung8607]

Thanks Jason, you got me pointed in the right direction. I found the sticker under the hood, it says car meets NLEV and California ULEV requirements for the year 2001. I am going to leave it as is for now as it seems to be working fine. Engine is an AUG 1.8t. Its a ratty car with numerous other issues that need to be addressed.

Of course, the underhood sticker may state the emissions compliance level directly as you noticed.

The ULEV stuff got me thinking as I remember a weird E46 BMW coming into the shop I used to work at in Massachusetts that was a SULEV car. SULEV being Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle. It had a sealed stainless steel gas tank and a few other weird things like an ozone reduction radiator. The fuel pump and filter were sealed in the tank and required the entire unit be replaced to change the other components. Talk about an expensive repair. I wasn't sure if VW made similar "green" cars for certain markets. My wi-fi is working again so I included the auto scan below. Sorry about that.

There was a period wherein 49 (or 48, or 47, etc) legal cars were a thing, with a California emissions variant. So many states have adopted California CARB standards that I don't think manufacturers bother anymore; they spend the extra money and make everything 50-state legal. I don't know to what extent VW played that game.

By the way, this is why we really like Auto-Scans:

Address 01: Engine        Labels: 06B-906-018-AUG.clb
   Part No: 4B0 906 018 BQ
   Component: 1.8L R4/5VT     G   0004  
   Coding: 16551
   Shop #: WSC 01084  
   VCID: 71E3CD8D3BD8AFA991E-5140

2 Faults Found:
18057 - Powertrain Data Bus 
            P1649 - 35-00 - Missing Message from ABS Controller
16825 - EVAP Emission Control Sys 
            P0441 - 35-00 - Incorrect Flow
Readiness: 0110 1101

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 03: ABS Brakes        Labels: 8E0-614-111-EDS.lbl
   Part No: 8E0 614 111 A
   Component: ABS/EDS 5.3 QUATTRO D10  
   Shop #: BB 24334  
   VCID: 1C3DCC398CDA72C1928-515E

1 Fault Found:
00285 - ABS Wheel Speed Sensor; Front Right (G45) 
            30-00 - Open or Short to Plus

Wrong ABS controller for this FWD car. There's a damned epidemic of these lately... fourth one in recent memory, although the others were FWD module in 4motion cars. This is the most likely origin of the no ABS comms DTC in the engine controller. Plus, the last three times we saw this mismatched ABS electronics problem, they were all pitching a fit about the front right wheel-speed sensor. There must be something different about the sensor or its wiring. Anyway, if you were troubleshooting that sensor, you can stop.

Jason

 

[El Polaco]

Good eye. I didn't catch that. I haven't spent any time on this thing besides making it run. I still need to speak to the customer and see if he wants to proceed. The car has been sitting since January at a shop up the street from me and I think some other knuckle head had it before them. The car is a real mess, I am not surprised someone installed the wrong part. I'll be talking to him tomorrow to see what he wants to do. Thanks!

 

[El Polaco]

Back to the mismatched ABS controller. I called VW the other day and provided a VIN# to find out the correct part number for the ABS module. The parts guy asked me what number was on car's ABS module and I explained that someone had changed it out and that it was incorrect for the car. He sighed and said that he couldn't give me the correct number only 3 possible part numbers that might work depending on what the car came with. The part numbers I was given was 8E0614111AQ, 8E0614111AH, and 8E0614111AJ. So how would I find an appropriate controller/module and code it if I don't have the original? I understand the soft coding is easy to decipher but what about the workshop code? Even if VW could provide me with a part number for a new module, I don't think its in the budget.

 

[roth]

Back to the mismatched ABS controller. I called VW the other day and provided a VIN# to find out the correct part number for the ABS module. The parts guy asked me what number was on car's ABS module and I explained that someone had changed it out and that it was incorrect for the car. He sighed and said that he couldn't give me the correct number only 3 possible part numbers that might work depending on what the car came with. The part numbers I was given was 8E0614111AQ, 8E0614111AH, and 8E0614111AJ. So how would I find an appropriate controller/module and code it if I don't have the original? I understand the soft coding is easy to decipher but what about the workshop code? Even if VW could provide me with a part number for a new module, I don't think its in the budget.

from VIN 050000, electronic stability control
from VIN 050000, w/o electronic stability control; electronic differential lock, traction control
from VIN 050000, w/o electronic stability control; electronic differential lock, w/o traction control; AWD
from VIN 050000, w/o electronic stability control; electronic differential lock, w/o traction control; FWD
from VIN 050000, w/o electronic stability control; w/o electronic differential lock
thru VIN 049999, electronic stability control
thru VIN 049999, w/o electronic stability control; 4 Motion
thru VIN 049999, w/o electronic stability control; exc. 4 Motion; navigation system
thru VIN 049999, w/o electronic stability control; exc. 4 Motion; w/o navigation system; traction control
thru VIN 049999, w/o electronic stability control; exc. 4 Motion; w/o navigation system; w/o traction control; electronic differential lock
thru VIN 049999, w/o electronic stability control; exc. 4 Motion; w/o navigation system; w/o traction control; w/o electronic differential lock

?????????????????????????????????????

Let me know and post PR sticker.

BR, Andy

 

[El Polaco]

Thanks Andy. I pulled the spare tire to check the PR sticker. There is a sticker but it doesn't look right. Its not like the PR stickers I'm used to seeing. It's just a small white roughly 3" square that is taped in place with three numbers VWZ4Z7Y5149251 1971 then VWZ4Z7Y5149251 again. Each number group is sticker material so they can be removed from the square. Make sense? Were earlier PR stickers printed out on removable sticker paper? Also, no manual with the car. I think they put the PR info in the manual sometimes, no?

Thanks
Josh

 

[El Polaco]

I think I found the radio code; thus, the peel of nature of the sticker. No PR sticker to be found. Ughh....

 

[roth]

I think I found the radio code; thus, the peel of nature of the sticker. No PR sticker to be found. Ughh....

On the left of spare tire or in maintenance book.

BR, Andy

 

[jyoung8607]

First and foremost, let's see if your customer is lucky today. Pop the hood, look at the ABS pump and find the VW part number on the metallic half of the pump. It should look like this picture, which I just took from the ABS pump off my '04 B5.5 Passat:

Some background: originally, VW only sold the ABS pump as a complete assembly. They ran into a pattern of electronics failures, and decided to create a separate "repair kit" part number that consists of just the computer half of the pump. You can actually take the computer part off without removing the hydraulic block from the car. The hydraulic system remains closed and you can even drive the car with the electronics removed if you have to. The part number you see on the hydraulic block is for the complete assembly, which is obviously more expensive.

If your customer is lucky, whoever put the wrong module in your car only swapped the computer and left the factory hydraulic block. It's a pretty common thing to do, especially when mailing it off to a repair outfit. Check that part number and see if it's a) different from what's reported in VCDS and b) one of the legit part numbers provided by your VW parts guy. If those are both true, you just need a VW "repair kit" if you want to go new, and those are quite a bit cheaper than a whole assembly. Or, if you want to go used, you just need the computer half from a salvage yard or eBay.

If you're not lucky, someone put the entire wrong assembly in your customer's car. The hydraulic block and computer have to match up, so you'll have to replace the complete assembly. That said, this is a high mileage '01 B5 that you say is kind of beat-down already, so I'd absolutely be looking at used parts. The ABS pump assemblies are common and cheap.

Jason

 

[El Polaco]

I don't like to leave posts incomplete but there are no updates on the ABS for the time being. The owner doesn't have the manual and the build sticker was no where to be found. I don't think I have ever looked for a build sticker and found it to be missing which is weird. I ended up fixing a bunch of things so the car could be put back on the road. It's been off the road all year. If it comes back and the owner wants to keep going with the ABS I'll post an update. Thanks for all the help.

 

[jyoung8607]

I don't like to leave posts incomplete but there are no updates on the ABS for the time being. The owner doesn't have the manual and the build sticker was no where to be found. I don't think I have ever looked for a build sticker and found it to be missing which is weird. I ended up fixing a bunch of things so the car could be put back on the road. It's been off the road all year. If it comes back and the owner wants to keep going with the ABS I'll post an update. Thanks for all the help.

Fair enough. Thanks for posting... it's nice to have an update wrapping it up one way or another, rather than leaving it hanging.

Re: the build sticker, on my '04 Passat I don't think it was ever completely stuck-down and I think it got wet/detached when I had to swap on my spare in snowy weather. I think I kept it in my garage somewhere. The one on my '06 Phaeton is fully secured and doesn't seem to be a problem. Anyway, point being, they can come off and get lost. Should you ever need it, you can recover the build sheet PR codes easily by VIN using erWin, or PL24 (I think). Also, I've had a friendly service writer at my local dealer print one up for me just for asking nicely.

Jason

 

[NZDubNurd]

you can recover the build sheet PR codes easily by VIN using erWin

This is nice and easy - 5 euros for an hour.

 

[El Polaco]

Ughhhh,...The Passat is back after having a run in with a curb. The owner brought me a ABS module and hydraulic unit from a same year 1.8t passat FWD auto. I looked at Ross-tech's "Coding the Bosch 5.3 and 5.7 ABS Modules" video on youtube. When you look at the wiki page under Volkswagen, 3B Passat, (03) Brake Electronics, then Bosch 5.3 ABS. It says "module does not support coding". So if I plug in my new junk yard module I can see the soft coding appears correct for this car but what about the workshop coding? How can I get the workshop coding? Any ideas? As I wrote earlier on, the original ABS module and hydraulic unit were replaced with an incorrect part and I don't have access to the old parts. Thanks for the help.

 

[jyoung8607]

So if I plug in my new junk yard module I can see the soft coding appears correct for this car but what about the workshop coding? How can I get the workshop coding? Any ideas? As I wrote earlier on, the original ABS module and hydraulic unit were replaced with an incorrect part and I don't have access to the old parts. Thanks for the help.

Welcome back!

You don't need to worry about the workshop code. It's essentially a log, a notation of which dealer/diagnostic equipment ID last modified that module. Has nothing to do with its operation, and it generally doesn't matter what it's set to. Unless told otherwise, VCDS will actually put the old WSC right back in ("stealth mode") rather than substitute its own.

If the module part number is correct, you're probably already set to go. However, if you'll post up a complete Auto-Scan, we can help you verify. As I mentioned earlier, there's quite a lot of owners that have gotten incorrect secondhand ABS modules. There must be some salvage cross-ref database or ABS rebuilder that's mixing these things up. So, I don't necessarily take the customer's statement of it being correct at face value, and given the history, who knows if it matches the hydraulic block in the vehicle at this point. Let's see an Auto-Scan.

Jason

 

[El Polaco]

Thanks Jason. The ABS is now fixed! I just cycled the pump, bled the brakes, and went for a test ride. All good. The front right wheel speed sensor is working as it should and there are no ABS related codes in the Engine, Auto-trans, or ABS modules. I'm actually really close to having all the lights off on the dash. The only code now is on the engine controller for incorrect flow from the secondary air pump. The pump is seized up so I know just where to start. Thanks for all the help.

 

[jyoung8607]

Thanks Jason. The ABS is now fixed!

Thanks for following up! If it were my car, I'd like to have seen an Auto-Scan and compared it with the P/N on the hydraulic block, along with a check of VW's parts system to make sure it's correct. There could be combinations of parts that will bolt-up without throwing diagnostic errors, but won't perform properly in the field. But, on a 14 year old beater that you're only working on for pay, sometimes you have to take "it's working" for an answer.

The only code now is on the engine controller for incorrect flow from the secondary air pump. The pump is seized up so I know just where to start. Thanks for all the help.

That'll do it every time. Good luck.

Jason