"system too lean" code and VAG-less code clearing...
03-26-2005, 04:55 PM
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"system too lean" code and VAG-less code clearing...
Our local Audi Club chapter had our spring drive today. We only had 8 cars and ran in two groups of four, but it was a great time. We actually found roads in KS that had turns!
Anyway, at the very beginning of the drive my car went into limp mode and the check engine light came on. At the first stop one of the group had a VAG-com with him and we pulled and cleared the codes. The only one I had was the "system too lean" which from all the posts I've seen go by causes me to suspect the MAF. After clearing the code the car ran fine, just until we were heading home. Then it went back into limp mode and wouldn't come out. Didn't throw a CEL this time, but that's probably because I stayed out of it for the trip home.
I went by circuit city and got some electrical cleaner, then by the Advance Autoparts and to my surprise, they had a bit set that had the torx security bits. I had to buy about 40 other bits I didn't need, but hey, for $10 you can't go wrong. So I cleaned the MAF, but I was still in limp mode. So I came back home and pulled fuses 10, 12, and 29. They were the ones that listed ODB, and Engine timing. After waiting about 10 minutes I put them back in, and viola, no more limp mode. I'll have to wait a day or so to see if cleaning the MAF worked, but hopefully, I'm in the clear on this one.
Anyway, at the very beginning of the drive my car went into limp mode and the check engine light came on. At the first stop one of the group had a VAG-com with him and we pulled and cleared the codes. The only one I had was the "system too lean" which from all the posts I've seen go by causes me to suspect the MAF. After clearing the code the car ran fine, just until we were heading home. Then it went back into limp mode and wouldn't come out. Didn't throw a CEL this time, but that's probably because I stayed out of it for the trip home.
I went by circuit city and got some electrical cleaner, then by the Advance Autoparts and to my surprise, they had a bit set that had the torx security bits. I had to buy about 40 other bits I didn't need, but hey, for $10 you can't go wrong. So I cleaned the MAF, but I was still in limp mode. So I came back home and pulled fuses 10, 12, and 29. They were the ones that listed ODB, and Engine timing. After waiting about 10 minutes I put them back in, and viola, no more limp mode. I'll have to wait a day or so to see if cleaning the MAF worked, but hopefully, I'm in the clear on this one.
03-26-2005, 04:58 PM
#2
You'll probably have to..>>
Either unplug the ECU or the Battery....Unless your adaptation is headed back down from the +20% lean correction that triggered limp....Maybe you'll get lucky!
(Code clearing doesn't re-set the adaptation maps)
(Code clearing doesn't re-set the adaptation maps)
03-26-2005, 05:59 PM
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I would think the fuses I pulled would have cut power to the ECU...
It has to be fused somewhere anyway. I don't have the radio code so that is the only reason I didn't disconnect the battery. but I figured I'd pull all the fuses that referenced and see if that worked. So far so good.
03-26-2005, 06:04 PM
#4
Nobody's ever documented an ECU reset...>
Without a complete power down. I don't think that did it, but if the cleaning corrected things, those numbers are dropping as you drive!
03-26-2005, 07:07 PM
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well, all the power the ecu gets has to be fused somewhere...
wether or not it was the ones I pulled, is a different story 
but if someone does manage to track down the ones to do it, I'd like to know. I figured this worked for me, maybe it will work for someone else. Damn I need a VAG COM.
but if someone does manage to track down the ones to do it, I'd like to know. I figured this worked for me, maybe it will work for someone else. Damn I need a VAG COM.
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