Engine light on for 2 1/2 years! I think I need a dealer

[Lambeth Cali]

So early in 2018 my engine light came on. I have owned our 2008 Auto 174 Cali since 2009 and I tend to like getting things fixed.

I took this to my non dealer VW specialist Peter Norris who told me this was showing as a DPF sensor. My 2008 Cali has done about 44,000 miles, is just used for holidays and day trips so lots of motorway drives, hardly no short drives. I said it was running fine and he thought the sensor was broken and unlikely to be an actual DPF fault. He reset the engine light.
For the last 30 months the light has come on and off (mainly on) and the van is driving superbly as always. No limp mode.
At this point I’m guessing people think I’m an idiot. I was wondering if anyone has had a similar problem.
Over this time I have wasted money putting DPF cleaner in the tank a few times and even bought a code reader.


I have read everything possible about code 01137 online. I am pretty convinced it’s the sensor. Here it is.

I was wondering if anyone had had this sensor replaced and where. From what I have read the sensor is known to be faulty and if a new one is fitted some VW diagnostic stuff needs to be done to make the new improved sensor work. The sensor contains a crystal which measures small differences in air pressure either side of the DPF. As I have said I have been driving around with the engine light on for 30 months and am confident that the problem is the sensor. I think it’s time to replace it.
I have used Peter Norris for ten years for my Cali and Golf and find them cheaper than a dealer but reassuringly expensive. I trust them but suspect I need a dealer for this. I try and avoid dealers like the plague. I find SMG in Croydon utterly rubbish. I once rang Campervantastic rentals and asked which dealer they used and they recommended Alan Day Tower Bridge. I have used them once and they were ok but not great.
I suspect I’m going to have to go back to them. I just don’t want to spend £500 on “labour” and the light to come back on.

 

[Elmo3]

I was looking at the history of my 2009 Beach (2.5 130hp) and this has been replaced due to engine light being on. Surely it’s a really simple DIY job? Must be worth changing first for the small cost of the part?

 

[Lambeth Cali]

I was looking at the history of my 2009 Beach (2.5 130hp) and this has been replaced due to engine light being on. Surely it’s a really simple DIY job? Must be worth changing first for the small cost of the part?

From what I’ve read - hours of Googling - if you replace the sensor but don’t do the VW diagnostic remapping (the new sensor is different to the old one) it won’t work and the light will come back on again.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

From what I’ve read - hours of Googling - if you replace the sensor but don’t do the VW diagnostic remapping (the new sensor is different to the old one) it won’t work and the light will come back on again.

Do you know where it was replaced? Which garage?

 

[TripleBee]

The sensor has to be reset in the engine computer.
But if you run around with the broken sensor too long, you might block your DPF, causing more trouble and cost to get things sorted.
Why didn't you go to VW a bit earlier? You will pay a bit more, but you have 2 year warranty on parts and work.
I hope it's not too late for you and the DPF is not full yet, otherwise, instead of € 200 it can become €3000 or more...

 

[westfalia]

Ive had the 3 coloured sensors replaced in the past, and
now that ive just looked, ive also had that part replaced.

They were all done at VW i don't think it was expensive to change
it.

 

[TripleBee]

I still have the first DPF pressure sensor, and 2 or 3 of the 3 or 4 temperature sensor in the exhaust.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

The sensor has to be reset in the engine computer.
But if you run around with the broken sensor too long, you might block your DPF, causing more trouble and cost to get things sorted.
Why didn't you go to VW a bit earlier? You will pay a bit more, but you have 2 year warranty on parts and work.
I hope it's not too late for you and the DPF is not full yet, otherwise, instead of € 200 it can become €3000 or more...

I’ve driven about 7000 miles since the sensor fired. The van runs perfect. I’ve done 44,000 miles in 11 years. There’s clearly nothing wrong with the DPF but it’s time to get a new sensor. All dealers near me are hopeless. I want a recommendation for a good one.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

I still have the first DPF pressure sensor, and 2 or 3 of the 3 or 4 temperature sensor in the exhaust.

Your van is newer than mine?

 

[Loz]

There was a service action on these and I had mine replaced under warranty. It causes the engine to stop doing regens and eventually clogged up the DPF and went into limp mode.

 

[TripleBee]

Your van is newer than mine?

Yes, mine's a 2010 (november 2009), but I have already 150000km, and a lot is short distances.

 

[Elmo3]

From what I’ve read - hours of Googling - if you replace the sensor but don’t do the VW diagnostic remapping (the new sensor is different to the old one) it won’t work and the light will come back on again.

Ah, OK. I’ve just dug out the bill the previous owner had on mine from October 2019.
It states ‘checked cause of MIL light on. Traced to DPF pressure sensor failed. Renewed pressure sensor and carried out adaption’
Cost was labour at £27 plus VAT and part at £60.22 plus VAT. That’s from a reputable VW specialist in Redruth. Hopefully gives you an idea of cost involved.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Ive had the 3 coloured sensors replaced in the past, and
now that ive just looked, ive also had that part replaced.

They were all done at VW i don't think it was expensive to change
it.
View attachment 65155

View attachment 65156

Great that’s helpful. Why did you replace them? Same engine light or routine service? When you say ‘colour sensors’ do you mean the yellow and brown ones?
Your sensor seems to have been made in week 12 of 2011 mine from week 46 of 2007 if I have guessed VW numbers correct. So probably the improved one.
Which garage do you use?

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Ah, OK. I’ve just dug out the bill the previous owner had on mine from October 2019.
It states ‘checked cause of MIL light on. Traced to DPF pressure sensor failed. Renewed pressure sensor and carried out adaption’
Cost was labour at £27 plus VAT and part at £60.22 plus VAT. That’s from a reputable VW specialist in Redruth. Hopefully gives you an idea of cost involved.

Thanks so much. That really joins a few dots. All makes sense.

 

[Elmo3]

Thanks so much. That really joins a few dots. All makes sense.

Here’s a picture of it.

 

[Elmo3]

@Loz I’ve got to replace the N75 ‘moo valve’ which sits behind this. I’ve got the Pierburg part. Looks straightforward, 3 bolts and carefully remove pipes. Any tips? (apologies for thread hijack).

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Yes, mine's a 2010 (november 2009), but I have already 150000km, and a lot is short distances.

From hours of googling the actual error code 01137, actual DPF failures seem very rare. I read about one in a Caravelle taxi that blew up after 300,000 miles. Presumably a fair few short journeys. There are lots of people online who will tell you your DPF is blocked and they will clean it for a few hundred quid but to be honest I tend to think that’s a racket.
They newer Calis seem to often go into limp mode when the sensor goes but mine hasn’t. It’s interesting that there is more than one exhaust sensor.
I tend to believe that sensors often fail but VW engines are well built. I have zero engineering knowledge but do trust my garage that thinks the DPF is ok. 44,000 miles shouldn’t block the DPF. I have had my Golf 12 years and Cali 11 years and do like to get things fixed. I know I’ve left this a long time but I think the dealers near me are incompetent.
A few years ago the freshwater pump that costs £38 broke. SMG in Croydon (South London) quoted me £1,000+ to fix and said they would have to remove the exterior bodywork. I didn’t use them. Alan Day VW did the work for £600 and when I got home I checked the pump. It was bumping around inside the water tank. There is a place where it slots in which they had ignored. I clipped it in myself. £600 and I have to finish it myself. These are dealers who know zero about fixing Calis. I suppose this is an engine problem so hopefully they might have half an idea what they’re doing. I’ll book it in with them again I suppose.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Here’s a picture of it.
View attachment 65168

2016 so the newer sensor. Its really reassuring to hear that others have had this done successfully.
I will get it booked in at the least worst dealership I can find.
Many thanks to everyone.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

There was a service action on these and I had mine replaced under warranty. It causes the engine to stop doing regens and eventually clogged up the DPF and went into limp mode.

Wow, ok. That’s exactly the thing that made me think I need to stop ignoring this. Maybe I wasn’t wasting money chucking all that DPF cleaner in the tank and buying better quality diesel.
Still no recommendation for a good dealer near London. I guess they don’t exist.

 

[Elmo3]

There must be a local indy VAG specialist, surely?

 

[TripleBee]

I can understand your concern about the California part of your van, but all the rest is Transporter, so they should at least have to know how a VW engine works, and they have the computers and software to read and adjust faults.
Most of the interior works you can do yourself, by browsing this forum with a lot of pictures/movies, and explanations.

 

[westfalia]

Wow, ok. That’s exactly the thing that made me think I need to stop ignoring this. Maybe I wasn’t wasting money chucking all that DPF cleaner in the tank and buying better quality diesel.
Still no recommendation for a good dealer near London. I guess they don’t exist.

Where does Pimlico plumbers get his vans serviced, there must
be a Transporter centre nearby.

Great that’s helpful. Why did you replace them? Same engine light or routine service? When you say ‘colour sensors’ do you mean the yellow and brown ones?
Your sensor seems to have been made in week 12 of 2011 mine from week 46 of 2007 if I have guessed VW numbers correct. So probably the improved one.
Which garage do you use?

I used a commercial vehicle centre in Germany.
Every now and again a fault light pops up and its always been
a sensor, each time when they read the code i was told its okay to
drive until i get an appointment.

Yes the black, red and brown ones and the one behind them like in your picture
and also a few lambda sensors.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

There must be a local indy VAG specialist, surely?

Peter Norris is a VW/Audi specialist I use but I think the software adjustments mentioned will need VW dealer with the official instructions. I’ll go to Peter Day VW. I just needed a shove.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

I can understand your concern about the California part of your van, but all the rest is Transporter, so they should at least have to know how a VW engine works, and they have the computers and software to read and adjust faults.
Most of the interior works you can do yourself, by browsing this forum with a lot of pictures/movies, and explanations.

Indeed. It’s v useful. It’s taken me two years to find someone who has actually fixed this specific sensor.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Where does Pimlico plumbers get his vans serviced, there must
be a Transporter centre nearby.

I used a commercial vehicle centre in Germany.
Every now and again a fault light pops up and its always been
a sensor, each time when they read the code i was told its okay to
drive until i get an appointment.

Yes the black, red and brown ones and the one behind them like in your picture
and also a few lambda sensors.

How do you know about Pimlico Plumbers? He probably has so many he services them himself. Or possibly SMG.
I‘ll go back to Campervantastic’s recommended Peter Day. Now I know it’s a common thing to do I have a lot more faith that they’ll know what to do.
And I’ll stick with my non dealer VW specialist for everything else.
Thanks again.