EPC light + Check Engine + ACC not working – P2463 DPF soot load too high – T6.1 BiTDI 199hp

[JonatanMol]

Hi all,

I have a 2020 T6.1 BiTDI 199 hp and I’m looking for some advice.

I was in the mountains here in Sweden last week with temperatures between -10°C and -30°C. There were a few cold starts, but most of the time the van was standing still and we only did short drives. The diesel heater was also used. When we were about to drive home, the yellow check engine light and the EPC light came on, and the ACC stopped working. The van feels sluggish and does not accelerate as usual, but we were still able to drive home.

Possible clues at the time:

• We usually run a cooler plugged into the 12V socket during long trips. Before leaving and plugging it in, I got an error message on the cooler related to a voltage issue (never happened before).
• When trying to activate ACC, I got the message: “Turn on main power switch.”

Since then I have done the following:

• Replaced the original 2020 battery with a new AGM battery
• Coded the new battery to the vehicle
• Cleared all fault codes

Current status:

• Only remaining fault code: P246300 – DPF soot accumulation too high
• EPC light still on
• No other active engine fault codes

Additional info:

• After disconnecting the battery on the way home from the mounatins, the DPF warning lamp came on briefly, but disappeared again after a longer drive.

Questions:

1. Can high soot load in the DPF trigger EPC even if the DPF warning lamp is not currently on?
2. What would you recommend as the next diagnostic step?
3. Are there specific live values I should check (differential pressure, exhaust temperature, soot load, etc.)?

Any input is appreciated.

Cheers!

 

[Salty Spuds]

My first recommendation would be an "Italian tune up", might work, might not, but won't hurt and is a no cost option.

 

[JonatanMol]

Italian Tune Up, like the sound of that. Will see if I can, in the automatic setting the motor only runs at lower RPMs at the moment, but perhaps the manual mode would make it possible.

 

[JonatanMol]

Italian Tune Up, like the sound of that. Will see if I can, in the automatic setting the motor only runs at lower RPMs at the moment, but perhaps the manual mode would make it possible.

Unfortunately made no diffrerence..

 

[Salty Spuds]

Unfortunately made no diffrerence..

Worth a try

 

[Phil_j89]

What's the mileage of the vehicle, you've noted 2020..

What are you using, diagnostic wise? just a plug in, code reader? or something with a bit more diagnostic ability like Vagcom??
My first step would be to check the soot values in the DPF, in the engine ECU as this fault is usually related to soot measured.

Then, after checking the DPF / wiring / pipework to dpf looks ok, (and DPF soot measured values) You'd be best carrying out a DPF Forced regen.

The ACC warning is normal with an engine light, as the vehicle won't activate the acc if there is a fault logged in the engine ECU.

 

[JonatanMol]

Left the car with a VW authorised workshop here in Sweden. They did try a forced regen, but soot levels where to high so new DPF has been ordered. Hopefully that should take care of it!

 

[asutton709]

Hi JonatanMol,
Probably too late, but you have nothing to loose getting a company to take the dpf out and give it a clean. Wish I had tried that before commiting to a new dpf. I had exactly the same symptoms as you. In UK dealer doesnt offer that as an option, so once they can't force the regen go straight to next option to replace at huge expense!

 

[JonatanMol]

Yeah, I know. But it seems that it will be covered by my insurance. However, I should probably give the workshop a call and tell them if it is not covered by the insurance, then we should clean it instead of swapping it out.. Did this resolve it for you?

 

[asutton709]

Hi, it wasn't covered by my warranty, some people have had good will from dealer though to sort it out.
I know a lot about dpf now, didn't know much then! See from reading other threads on here it's something others have done, and wish I had given it a shot. Cheers

 

[JonatanMol]

Thanks! Not sure how it works in UK, but often here in sweden these things are covered under your car insurance. The workshop were pretty sure it would be covered, but if not I will definately take you advice and look for a clean instead.

Cheers!

 

[Gen6Original]

I actually took my DPF off myself, and got it cleaned. It was reasonably straightforward, and there are some good videos on line. Saved some dosh. But then I have to get the soot value reduced ion the ECU, which require a mechanic with his computer to do that.