firstorbit84

I've been getting the range control malfunction warning on my dash almost every trip I take over 10 miles or so... The beep is loud and obnoxious, and I don't like looking at the icon. I scanned the car and got:

I did a search and found this thread over at the Vortex:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?4748081

I tried recoding Adaptation 2 in Address 55 from 1 to 0 because it worked for that guy, but it did not work for me.

I know the problem is there, and I will fix it when I have some time, and/or money if I have to take it to a mechanic... For now though, I would just like to disable the warning or even the range control altogether. Any thoughts?

firstorbit84

bump

monkeytronic

So what's up with the left front level control sensor? Seems like it's worth taking a look at its wiring to see that it's still intact.

firstorbit84

Thanks for your reply...
Where would that be located exactly? (pics if possible, please)

monkeytronic

With the driver side front wheel removed, the level sensor can be spied attached via a long vertical black plastic arm to the front lower control arm (nearest to the control arm bushing at the subframe--shown here just to the left of the red shock absorber), thusly:

SloopJohnB@mac.com

It's on the lower control arm Left front side.

Here's somewhat what it looks like.

Rayko

Take out fuse number 10. That should take care of that annoying light;

firstorbit84

Thanks, but what exactly am I looking for once I find it?

I think I will try this as well. If the annoying light and beep goes away then I can address the leveling situation at a later time.

Thanks for all the input!

monkeytronic

You most likely have a wiring issue--as in the sensor's wiring is shorting out. Start by checking the insulation of the sensor's wiring for any indication that the wiring insulation might be compromised starting at the sensor and tracing the wiring back.

00776 - Level Control System Sensor; Front Left (G78): Open or Short to Ground

firstorbit84

Thanks for more info... I put the car up this morning and checked the wires visually and they appeared okay, but I looked down and I found the vertical black plastic arm completely detached from the piece that clamps around the control arm.



I also noticed that the part where the long black vertical arm attached to the upper shorter arm that moved at the sensor was stuck in place pretty good. So, I sprayed the nut holding on the long arm with some liquid wrench, and cleaned it up a bit with a wire brush. Then I removed the long vertical arm with a 10mm socket and needle nose pliers to hold the other piece behind it in place.

Once apart, I applied a bit of grease to the inner face of the nut and the bolt so that it would move freely with the upper arm. Then, I drilled a small hole into the lower part of the arm, and bolted it back on at the top, backing it out about a quarter turn from fully tightened to allow it to move with the upper sensor arm. I shaved a bit of the plastic bushing that it fits onto at the control arm so that I was able to slide the lower part back on, and then I secured it by running a zip tie through the control arm bracket and the small hole that I drilled in the vertical arm...



I went on a short test drive, and so far so good... If the warning light comes back then I will look further into the wires at the sensor, and possibly consider pulling fuse 10.

Thanks again!