VAG 17438 - Engine Problem

A

awinter

Member
Hi

I have had my A2 now for a couple of weeks. I love it!!!! BUT there appears to be a fault with it. I have had it checked and have been told the problem is VAG 17438 - Intake manifold air control valve position sensor - lower limit not reached. Air control flap tight/sticking, hose conncetions(s), intake manifold air control actuator.
I have a petrol 1.6 FSI 2003 model. If anyone knows what this problem is, please can you let me know and where i can get it sorted out. I live near Eastbourne, East Sussex

I hope this makes sense to someone, unfortunately i'm just the girl that drives it!!!!!
Many Thanks :confused:
 
Hello and welcome -sorry your first post is to report a problem!

The error code is quite informative - it means a valve that sits within the air intake system has started sticking and so has either failed to open correctly, or failed to close correctly.

It should really be a simple case of getting the right replacement parts and finding a decent mechanic to do the work. I'm sure others on the forum can advise exactly the right parts (including part numbers) for you and where to buy them from.

I can't recommend a garage for you near where you live but I'm sure someone else will be able to - it's best to avoid the main Audi dealer if at all possible as they charge like wounded rhinos!

Good luck - you've done the right thing in coming to the forum and I'm sure collectively we'll have you on your way!
 
Yep, that sounds like quite a common problem with the FSI engine that has been posted a number of times on this site.

The control flaps in the inlet manifold are designed to alter the airflow into the engine depending on speed / load to make it more efficient (FSI)

The flaps are in the airflow and become carbonised, restricting or inhibiting their movement.

The flaps are controlled by a vacuum unit, which is a small silver cylinder top left of the engine, which has a small black plastic rod, just viewable which goes down into the engine. The vacuum unit may have failed which would stop the flaps moving.

Alternatively, the vacuum unit is controlled by a small black rubber hose that may have detached or perished, this is worth checking.

Worst case, the inlet manifold can be cleaned / decarbonised (a few mechanically minded forum members have done this) or the whole inlet manifold needs to be replaced (which is what Audi will insist if that is the issue). I ended up with the latter as my wife had put the A2 straight into the dealers when the service light came on - £1,000 bill :eek:



When I get home I will try to post some drawings.

Regards

Paul
 
Thank you very much. I will pass this information on to my partner and get him to have a look. Hopefully its nothing too serious!!!
 
Should be 3 drawings attached. Doing a little research on your fault code I found the following description;
17438 - Intake manifold air control valve position sensor (N316) - lower limit not reached.

The way the air flap works is by (I believe) the control valve N316 controls the amount of vacuum from the manafold, applied to the vacuum actuator via the rubber tubes.

The vacuum actuator in turn (via a small plastic rod into the manafold) controls the air flaps.

The positon of the flaps are measured by the sensor G336.

The fault seems to be indicating that either-
There isnt enough vacuum to move the flaps fully (airleak in the rubber tubes)
The valve isnt operating correctly
The vacuum actuator is faulty
The air control flaps are stuck - this seems to be a common fault



Engine.jpg is the view of the engine bay from the front of the car
Engine_2.jpg is of the inlet manafold, this is at the back of the engine bay, behind the engine where you cant see it.
Engine_3 is a view of the back left hand side of the engine as you would see it if you could look through the drivers side wheel bay (with x-ray specs).


N316 - item 25 in Engine_2.jpg / Item 1 in Engine_3.jpg
Vacuum Actuator - Item 7 in Engine.jpg / Item 17 in Engine_2.jpg
G316 - intake flap potentiometer - Item 14 in Engine_2.jpj / Item 2 in Engine 3.jpg


Hope some of this makes sense...

Regards
Paul
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the information you have supplied. My partner is going to have a look at it this week end. Fingers crossed he can sort it out!!!!
 
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