Laundry list of issues :-( are these prices reasonable?

[dhardyuk]

So a little while ago the dash freaked out on my van. From VCDS I can see its speed sensors but its impact is to the cruise control and the ABS so the van is still usable for careful short trips.

Roll forward a few days and now the speedo and power steering are randomly not available when starting the engine. A quick restart and the power steering was back, the fuel gauge is randomly jumping to empty and an annoying alert about finding a petrol station takes over the infotainment screen on each jump, hiding the Car play display of google maps which handily shows speed limits (mostly getting them right) and vehicle actual speed.

So I have several faults to address, ABS sensors, low voltage issues and the van needs a service. So I book the service and ask for quotes on the ABS sensors and a general health check to see whats going on. And they found something else.

The N/S driveshaft needs to be replaced and that's unexpectedly blown the budget.

So, my question is about whether these things below are ball park costs for a garage using OEM parts.

battery regulator £292 - inc labour
both front ABS speed sensors £420 - inc labour
nearside front driveshaft £916 - inc labour

I've seen new aftermarket:
voltage regulator for £25 to £70
ABS sensors for as little as £6 each
Front LH drive shaft for £99

Why is there such a huge gap in the price of these parts? Are the aftermarket parts all crap or am I being gouged by the garage?

And does anyone know how to code out the screen hijacking messages on the infotainment system .....

 

[JoshB_]

ABS sensors are fairly easy to change and yes, the aftermarket parts are acceptable.
But there is lots of cheap Chinese crap out there, so stick to reputable brands.
Most VW parts for the ancillary stuff are made by aftermarket suppliers anyway.
I stick with Febi as I think the quality is acceptable, they’re well priced and have good support.
But plenty of other companies to go with, like Lemforder, Hengst, Bosch, etc…
The battery regulator is probably a Bosch part anyway.
Steer clear of J&R driveshafts, they’re pants and their “2 year guarantee” isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.

I’m surprised the driveshaft has failed? Inner and outer CV joints will give you some grief before a “driveshaft” actually fails. Do you notice any clicking sounds on full lock? Or wobbly steering?

 

[JoshB_]

And as for your “fault”, yeah it sounds like a voltage issue. Low battery shows up similar symptoms.
So I’d start with a battery test first (garage might have don’t that) and then change the voltage regulator.
Then see how you go, you might find that clears the speed sensor warning…

 

[dhardyuk]

@Joshb - Thanks, very clarifying.

I'm stuck with the new ABS sensors as, ahem, apparently VW won't allow the garage to return them even though they haven't been fitted yet (as of 9am today).

I think I'm being gouged and I'm unhappy with the way the troubleshooting almost appears to be back too front. I'll get a voltage regulator and fit it myself and get a second opinion on the drive shaft.

 

[Sasquatch]

They will take them back, but may charge a restocking fee. Sounds more like CBA.

 

[JoshB_]

Driveshaft sounds bollocks. Not sure about Transporters as I’ve not had mine to bits but other same era VAG cars have a speed ring on the CV joint. Basically just looks like a cog and the speed sensor counts the teeth as it’s spinning and that’s how it works basically.

You can change the speed ring separately, but it’s labour intensive so sometimes can be more economical to just swap the entire thing.

But I think they’re having a laugh with that…

 

[Bigsidavies]

I think on the transporter the ring is part of the hub.
Anyway, sounds to me like they are taking the mick. They know they will lose a £400 rip off if they send the sensors back so they are having you over.
Also ring VWVC parts dept and get a price for a sensor so you know how much the genuine ones retail at.

 

[DXX]

both front ABS speed sensors £420 - inc labour

The most expensive sensors are about £36 each, cheapest around £8 from what I remember.
Wheel off if not on a lift, unplug, 1 screw and extract. Even if they are seized in the hub, no more than 20 mins / side.
Go elsewhere.

 

[dhardyuk]

I've collected my caravelle and it drove home fine.

There is one issue where the infotainment was dropping the carplay connection so there does seem to be an undervoltage problem.

I've posted my VCDS scan in the VCDS forum for some advice:

D

Thread 'Undervoltage problems?'

22 Sep 2025

Hi all,

I'm having a brain fart trying to understand exactly what's wrong with my Caravelle.

There is an under voltage issue of some sort and I'm unclear how to isolate where the issue is exactly and which parts need threatening with a spanner.

VCDS scan below, n.b. the clock isn't set correctly so there might be some odd dates in there.

Monday,22,September,2025,17:37:14:44189
VCDS -- Windows Based VAG/VAS Emulator Running on Windows 11 x64
VCDS Version: 25.3.2.0 (x64)  HEX-NET2 CB: 0.4671.5
Data version: 20250822 DS365.0
www.Ross-Tech.com


VIN: WV2ZZZ7HZKH168534   License Plate...

• dhardyuk
• Replies: 0
• Forum: VCDS-VagCom / Carista / OBDeleven