2004 Jetta vr6 N318/N205 short to ground

[mdbww]

Hi everyone. took my 2004 Jetta vr6 for emissions testing today and passed as expected. got home and decided I would start troubleshooting my central locking issues so fired up VCDS and found something I wasn't expecting... P1517, P1049, P1527. engine has no signs of any issues. does not idle rough, exhaust sounds perfect, no starting issues, no power issues.. nothing. cleared but still popped tight up on 2nd scan.

I have a couple good 109 relays kicking around so I'm going to swap that tomorrow morning and see if this deals with P1517, but the other two? is there any chance that all 3 could be related in some way? ie. intermittent fault on 109 causing intermittent faults on N318/N205? I find this highly unlikely but not omitting since everything runs fine. I'm trying to find a relationship between all 3 or 2 codes. I plan on doing basic testing both N318/N205 tomorrow as well but expect them to pass as this is an intermittent short with no mechanical to note, so all I can think of is connectors or something in the loom, not sure. I'm hoping someone may have experienced similar or throw me some other ideas/things to check?

thanks in advance

Chassis Type: 9M (9M - VW Jetta IV (1998 > 2014))
Scan: 01 02 03 08 09 15 16 17 19 22 29 35 36 37 39 46 47 55 56 57
          75 76
 
VIN: 3VWVH69M44M103784   Mileage: 208220km-129381miles
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 01: Engine        Labels: 022-906-032-BDF.lbl
   Part No: 022 906 032 DM
   Component: MOTRONIC ME7.1.1G   0006 
   Coding: 00032
   Shop #: WSC 00066 
   VCID: 59FA61D2C1065E5EE4-5184
   VINID: 0E69E660625D1047410031C81010C23071
   3VWVH69M44M103784     VWZ7Z0D9017398

3 Faults Found:
17925 - Power Supply Relay for ECU
            P1517 - 35-10 - Electrical Malfunction - Intermittent
17457 - Bank1; Exhaust Cam Adjustment Valve 1 (N318)
            P1049 - 35-10 - Short to Ground - Intermittent
17935 - Camshaft Timing Adj. Bank1 (N205)
            P1527 - 35-10 - Short to Ground - Intermittent
Readiness: 0000 0000

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 03: ABS Brakes        Labels: 1C0-907-37x-ESP-F.lbl
   Part No: 1C0 907 379 M
   Component: ESP FRONT MK60      0102 
   Coding: 0019970
   Shop #: WSC 00066 000 00000
   VCID: 3424F0665624433617-5184

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 15: Airbags        Labels: 6Q0-909-605-VW5.lbl
   Part No: 1C0 909 605 F
   Component: 04 AIRBAG VW61 0202 0003 
   Coding: 12340
   Shop #: WSC 00066 
   VCID: 271E172AC7F238AEA2-5160

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 17: Instruments        Labels: 1J0-920-xx5-17.lbl
   Part No: 1J5 920 906 J
   Component: KOMBI+WEGFAHRSP VDO V55 
   Coding: 15234
   Shop #: WSC 00000 
   VCID: 3424F0660624433617-5160
   3VWVH69M44M103784     VWZ7Z0D9017398

1 Fault Found:
01304 - Radio
            49-00 - No Communications

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 19: CAN Gateway        Labels: 6N0-909-901-19.clb
   Part No: 6N0 909 901
   Component: Gateway K<->CAN    0001 
   Coding: 00006
   Shop #: WSC 00066 
   VCID: 70AC3C7632BC3F1633-5160

1 Fault Found:
01304 - Radio
            49-00 - No Communications

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 46: Central Conv.        Labels: 1C0-959-799.lbl
   Part No: 1C0 959 799 C
   Component: 1H Komfortger·t HLO 0003 
   Coding: 00258
   Shop #: WSC 00066 
   VCID: 373EC76A1752A82E32-4B1E

   Subsystem 1 - Part No: 1C1959801A
   Component: 1H Tırsteuer.FS KLO 0202 

   Subsystem 2 - Part No: 1C1959802A
   Component: 1H Tırsteuer.BF KLO 0202 

   Subsystem 3 - Part No: 1C0959811A
   Component: 1H Tırsteuer.HL KLO 0202 

   Subsystem 4 - Part No: 1C0959812A
   Component: 1H Tırsteuer.HR KLO 0202 

4 Faults Found:
00928 - Locking Module for Central Locking; Front Driver Side (F220)
            27-00 - Implausible Signal
01359 - Internal Central Locking Switch; Passenger Side (E198)
            27-10 - Implausible Signal - Intermittent
00934 - Electric Window Motor; Rear Left (V26)
            62-10 - No or Incorrect Adjustment - Intermittent
00930 - Locking Module for Central Locking; Rear Left (F222)
            27-00 - Implausible Signal

End----------(Elapsed Time: 05:43, VBatt start/end: 12.7V/12.6V)-----------

 

[Dr Sheldon]

3 Faults Found:
17925 - Power Supply Relay for ECU
P1517 - 35-10 - Electrical Malfunction - Intermittent
17457 - Bank1; Exhaust Cam Adjustment Valve 1 (N318)
P1049 - 35-10 - Short to Ground - Intermittent
17935 - Camshaft Timing Adj. Bank1 (N205)
P1527 - 35-10 - Short to Ground - Intermittent


Note the "Intermittent" that means that the fault is no longer present - Historic if you like.

Clear the faults - Drive it then scan again !

The ECU power supply relays are a Known failure - You could replace it being pro active - When they go bad the car dies !!
However if you are going to get one from ANYWHERE but the dealer - Dont bother - You are better off with the tired one you have now !!

Those timing faults are not going to kill your engine - You will limp home. In the meantime just unplug them both and look for oil, water, dirt in the connector at N205 & N318.

Engine running, Give both connectors a tug, a push and a pull - see if you can make the DTC re appear at will.

 

[mdbww]

Thanks Doc!

regarding the "intermittent", I was not aware that this would be read as historic instead of something that was still occurring intermittently. is this how it will typically show in VCDS? just so I know in the future.

for relay 109, I have a mk4 beetle i'm breaking with an oem 109 that was working perfectly so I'm swapping with that.

I'll give the connectors a visual inspection and tug test as well. currently no DTC on panel (wasn't one when I performed first scan either)

the main reason why I'm being proactive towards issues like this is because I work overseas for months at a time. wife and nanny use the cars while I'm away so I would rather not have them break down or go into limp mode while I'm away!

 

[EuroX]

I would look at wiring diagram and see if both of those components are on the same circuit and start checking basics like fuses, and wiring, perhaps they share a common power and or ground. Pin drag test is also a good idea.