VolksTechniks

VolksTechniks VolksTechniks, offering service, repairs, modification, and diagnostics to most makes and models

All to often with diagnosis work (especially trade work) I find a fault hidden away, take the measurements, gather the e...
24/04/2026

All to often with diagnosis work (especially trade work) I find a fault hidden away, take the measurements, gather the evidence, make the call, then move onto the next, leaving the teardown and repair to the someone else.

The hardest part of this is never seeing the end result, never hearing the outcome. Often when intrusive testing is avoided you're making that call off of electrical evidence only.

That was the case here, with a Nissan Xtrail i was called in to diagnose for a start stall condition. I was able to prove the EGR flow was excessive, despite the complete lack of fault codes, and without removing any pipework or valves, using the Scope and some compressed air.

When you understand the data, its clear! But to anyone unsure what they are seeing it leaves doubt when, like here, i have wiggly lines on a screen, and say 'the EGR valve is damaged' despite the lack of a fault code, and the scan tool data telling me it was moving, correctly. There was without doubt airflow through the EGR valve from the exhaust to the intake, even when the valve was 'closed'

I left with the recommendation to remove and inspect the valve, replace it if necessary.

On this occasion, however, i got this photo through after the Valve was removed..... and im sure you can agree its defiantly damaged and explains the excessive flow when closed!

🔧 Volkswagen Passat – Boot Fault Diagnosis & RepairWe recently had a Passat in with a persistent issue: the boot showing...
14/03/2026

🔧 Volkswagen Passat – Boot Fault Diagnosis & Repair

We recently had a Passat in with a persistent issue: the boot showing as open at all times.

Our initial testing at the latch confirmed the microswitches were functioning correctly, but we identified irregular voltages coming from the Central Electric Module. A previous repair in the flexible conduit across the boot shut had also failed — explaining one fault, but not the full picture.

Further investigation revealed the real culprit: the rear washer jet pipe had developed a pinhole, allowing screen wash to travel down into the connector. The connector was flooded, heavily corroded, and several pins had deteriorated completely.

To restore full functionality, we carried out a comprehensive repair:
- Replaced the entire boot loom and screen wash pipe
- De-pinned the male connector and cleaned or replaced all terminals
- Installed a new connector housing
- Routed the new harness correctly through the boot shut

As an added bonus, we were able to integrate the wiring for the rear camera — previously running loose — into the new harness for a cleaner, more reliable setup.

Another job completed with thorough diagnostics and long‑term reliability in mind.

Yet more corroded terminals. This time a poorly Nissan Juke!This one had a new turbo (correctly, as it had failed) but f...
23/02/2026

Yet more corroded terminals.
This time a poorly Nissan Juke!

This one had a new turbo (correctly, as it had failed) but for one reason this was plugged back into the new actuator.....

Poor connection left the actuator dropping offline intermittently.

All terminals replaced and the actuator was back online and functioning.

A recent call-out to a Land Rover Discovery with a frustrating power‑delivery issue.The trade customer had already scann...
23/02/2026

A recent call-out to a Land Rover Discovery with a frustrating power‑delivery issue.

The trade customer had already scanned the vehicle and followed the data, but the fault kept returning: smooth power… then flat… then limp mode.

Using their data alongside OE info to understand the code‑setting criteria and likely candidates, the fault pointed towards the control system for the second turbo.

Access to the actuator position sensor was poor, so I used scan data and a Mityvac to check actuator movement. Full travel (0–100%) was confirmed both directly at the actuator and via the solenoid.

That shifted focus to the vacuum supply. Step by step, I split the system down until the culprit appeared: a short length of plastic pipe with hidden damage. Once removed, the failure was obvious.

Small pipe. Big problem.

A Seat Alhambra came in with a mysterious AdBlue lockout countdown that our trade customer couldn’t clear — even after f...
21/02/2026

A Seat Alhambra came in with a mysterious AdBlue lockout countdown that our trade customer couldn’t clear — even after finding and repairing a broken wire to the AdBlue injector and running every reset their scanner offered.

After attempting both the static and dynamic AdBlue warning resets in ODIS (both of which failed), a P20EE fault finally logged.

Following the test plan led us to this little discovery — and unfortunately, a very big problem for the car. These engines use a pair of SCR catalysts, and genuine replacements are prohibitively expensive on a 16‑year‑old vehicle.

For us, a proper repair is the only repair we’ll offer. In this case, the customer was happy with the diagnosis and chose to source and fit used replacements themselves.

As long as the used parts are in good condition, there’s no reason they won’t resolve the issue for a while — but for a long‑term, reliable fix, it’s simply not something we would supply ourselves.

BMW boot release circuit fault traced to a very poorly looking connector.Whilst I carry most terminals to repair these f...
20/02/2026

BMW boot release circuit fault traced to a very poorly looking connector.

Whilst I carry most terminals to repair these faults, this one had snapped off inside the female terminal,and at least 6 of the pins had suffered corrosion, so a complete connector replacement will be the best repair for this one.

This BMW X3 cut out on its owner, and became a crank no start. It was recovered back to their local garage, where it res...
06/11/2025

This BMW X3 cut out on its owner, and became a crank no start. It was recovered back to their local garage, where it restarted with no issue.
After scanning the car for fault codes and seeing that the crank sensor and exhaust backpressure sensor had codes stored, but both seemed to be working ok, they sent the car away.

3 days later it happened again, same story, cut out and wouldnt restart, recovered to the garage, same codes, and would start back up and run fine.

At this point it got a new crank sensor, and a new pressure sensor to 'rule them out'

Needless to say, it didn't fix it....

Unfortunately for our customer, this was a car theh had recently sold, so their client (understandably) was unhappy with their purchase and wished to return it if it couldnt be fixed.

They called us in straight away, using our process quickly found that there was a huge clue sat amoung the stored fault codes - Voltage supply 3 short to ground. A quick read up showed the voltage supply 3 referred to a 5vref circuit, and it feed the crank sensor and the back pressure sensor.

Upon testing these supplies, it was found that sure enough the voltage was being pulled down. Its not uncommon for a failed sensor to do this and effect the supply to all sensor fed from the same regulator, but in this case with all the voltage supply 3 sensors unplugged it was still short to ground.

Didn't take long to find out why, using a logical approach looking for contact points, missing clips, or incorrect routing of the loom..... Bingo! That loom should not be sat atop the exhaust like that!

Just look at the damage the heat had caused!

Not a huge repair, and access was pleasant. Now everyone is happy and the car is back on the road (oh, and the loom is back in its correct home!)

Today saw a 2020 Peugeot e208 into the workshop with ABS warnings on the dash. Previous attempts to rectify it had been ...
05/11/2025

Today saw a 2020 Peugeot e208 into the workshop with ABS warnings on the dash. Previous attempts to rectify it had been made prior to it arriving, but despite the fault codes reporting am issue with the rear right wheel speed sensor, a replacement sensor hadn't fixed it.

We do see this alot, and I know we have covered the need for testing over and over again, but, in this case the most simple checks revealed the fault lied within the wiring.

A quick check on the database of one of our most valuable resources (DDTSB) showed that there was a common failure point in the sub harness from the body to the rear wheel.

It was just as easy to remove the entire sub harness as it was check it in place, and the broken wire was quickly found, repaired, and refitted to rectify all issues

We are starting to see a good few places call us in now at the first sight of a fault, utilising our skills to accurately find faults before any attempts to repair are made, or any parts fitted to the car. The result is a right first time fix, without needless parts, and without customer come backs or awkward conversations. The customer gets the car back fixed, and without a larger than necessary bill. Everyone wins

Most of all, I win though, I love this stuff, and am quite happy burried in problem cars, finding the faults, quite content to let others carry out the repairs, all the while those garages can get on with the important stuff, the stuff that pays them, and the world keeps turning.

Volkstechniks

This TT arrived with an intermittent right taillight fault, resulting in bulb warning on the dash, dimming or complete f...
30/07/2025

This TT arrived with an intermittent right taillight fault, resulting in bulb warning on the dash, dimming or complete failure of the lights, and indicator.

As always, a pre scan was made that confirmed the computer saw a fault in the rear right light. This highlights how helpful fault codes can really be in field, this gives no indication as to what the actual fault is, just that the light has a circuit fault, showing how scanning a car isn't diagnosing the fault at all.

We have a lot of means to access technical data and diagrams. On this occasion, only one of them had a diagram for the rear lights, and we used it to make a test plan.

Power and ground were checked at the light cluster, with poor readings indicating a ground issue. The ground was subjected to a loaded voltage drop test with tbe readings changing as the connector was moved.

Removing the connector revealed a spread terminal for the ground connection and evidence that the connection had been getting hot. Using Diamond contact files and contact cleaner, the fretting was removed from the male pin on the bulb holder, while the connector got a new terminal.

Faults were cleared, and the post scan was clear with the lights now functioning correctly, and only a few mV measured in Voltage drop along the ground.

If you have electrical faults, we can help, not just for VW's! Reach out and find out how.

A recent call out to a trade customer to install and program a replacement Telematics module to a Skoda Superb.Having th...
30/07/2025

A recent call out to a trade customer to install and program a replacement Telematics module to a Skoda Superb.

Having the correct equipment to offer this service otherwise involving a visit to the dealer helps the local garages tender for work they would have otherwise passed on.

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Unit 120, No. 1 Site
Abingdon
OX143DA

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Monday 9am - 5:15pm
Tuesday 9am - 5:15pm
Wednesday 9am - 5:15pm
Thursday 9am - 5:15pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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+441865238373

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