EML and AdBlue Issues

[Black Pearl]

Hi All,

I’ve a 2018 (2017 build) VW T6 Transporter 150hp manual with a full camper conversion with 240v hookup.

I’ve had an ongoing issue with the EML and AdBlue lights coming on (and off) at varying times.

VW have replaced on warranty (which ran out last August) -
The NOx sensor at least twice
The Adblue tank
The DPF
Completed forced regens
Run diagnostics numerous times

I’ve put a new battery on.

And still it persists. The most recent hassle being as the ranged dropped from 5500 miles to 400 as we were going on holiday. It reset as always.
Later it dropped to 300 miles (a new low!) but again as always, it reset.

All a bit stressful when I’ve a long drive ahead.

Anyway, a group of us got talking last night and someone threw in about modifications.

I’ve changed the following -

31/01/19 - Camper conversion completed
28/03/19 - TransporterHQ v2 headlamps
18/10/19 - White fog lamps
18/05/21 - 1st EML activation
31/05/22 - Red interior bulbs LED fitted

The van has never let me down and has never gone into limp mode. It always drives the same and I don’t experience any issues - except for the occasional “double start” when the ignition cranks twice once it fires up. It’s so infrequent that a patter can’t be established.

Could any of those alterations have a bearing on the EML and AdBlue issues?
Has anyone else modified their van and experienced the same?

Thanks for any help.

Dan

 

[Sasquatch]

On a networked vehicle any electrical modification has the  potential to cause seemingly unconnected problems if poorly executed, poor quality components are used, or one of the fitted items itself turns faulty in some way.

On one car we owned an intermittent electrical tailgate was eventually traced to an aftermarket head unit, of all things. Removing it and sourcing an original cured to fault.

That doesn't necessarily mean its the case with your vehicle, but you're perhaps sensible to be considering the possibility.

 

[Black Pearl]

Thanks for the reply.

I’d never considered the mods before last night. When it returns I’ll swap back what I can initially and unplug the rest.

The headlamp will have to stay cause they’re a big job to swap back!!

That is, unless VW can identify the issue. It’s currently in for its 20th visit in 5 years!

 

[manfrotto]

I'm not sure if your build year was in the range of the recall for the Firmware upgrade that was supposed to fix the ADblue issue, but you could check that this was completed .

 

[Phil_j89]

The modifications are very unlikely to cause an adblue related fault.

The P20E00 not efficiency fault has been a bugbear on the T6 very a good amount of time, with varying degrees of 'actual fix'

 

[Black Pearl]

Manfrotto - it’s had numerous software updates over the years.

Phil_j89 - I seem to be participating it quite a lot of them!

My issue has now been escalated from dealership to Milton Keynes (been referred numerous times there) and now to the factory (17/07/26).
We’ll see what develops from their advice.

 

[Salty Spuds]

On a networked vehicle any electrical modification has the  potential to cause seemingly unconnected problems if poorly executed, poor quality components are used, or one of the fitted items itself turns faulty in some way.

On one car we owned an intermittent electrical tailgate was eventually traced to an aftermarket head unit, of all things. Removing it and sourcing an original cured to fault.

That doesn't necessarily mean its the case with your vehicle, but you're perhaps sensible to be considering the possibility.

Exactly this^^^
What follows is a true story:-
Brand new Disco3 auto, one of the rear brake lamps failed, fitted a new one from Halfords.
Next time out, it dropped dark just as we were approaching Spuds Central, automatic lights switched on, car changed to 1st gear and would not change up.
Luckily we were only a few hundred yards from home and drove home in 1st gear.
Next day, tried vehicle, no problem, ran perfectly.
Rang dealer, described problem and the first thing he asked was had I changed any bulbs recently for non OEM, yup said I, a brake lamps. That’s the problem says dealer man, we don’t know why or how, but for some reason the car electronics won’t play with non-OEM (Lucas) bulbs when the automatic lights activate. He said that he had a box full of OEM bulbs by his desk and if we popped in, he’d give us a handful. Changed the bulb, problem solved.

 

[Black Pearl]

All good experience being shared.

I wonder how many of our vans have had little bits changed and are now suffering the dreaded EML and AdBlue issues.

 

[Ayjay]

To the OP: welcome to a not very exclusive club for those experiencing adblue related problems.

 

[Black Pearl]

Ayjay- nit exactly new to it, I’ve been trying to resolve the issues since 2021.

20 visits to the dealership = veteran level!!