No cruise, no horn, no MFSW thoughts? 2012 T5 multivan

[matt510]

Hi Guys - I've got a 2012 2.0l diesel multivan (stock with MFSW) recently an error on the dash has occurred with an exclamation mark next to the cruise control symbol (symbol looks like a speedo with an arrow, the same one thats on the cruise control stalk). Cruise control no longer functions (thats to be expected with an error like that on the dash im sure). However i also have lost the functionality of all the buttons on the steering wheel as well as the horn.

If i had just lost the steering wheel functions i would have thought the clock spring was the issue, but i dont have an airbag error which (i think) suggests that the steering wheel is still communicating in some capacity to the rest of the vehicle and the cruise control has no connection to the MFSW as far as i am aware (its all controlled through the stalk).

The indicators still operate fine as does the high beam (which are on the same stalk as the cruise control).

All issues occurred at the same time so i doubt its 2 unrelated issues of clock spring and cruise control stalk, but i cant find the common component that links these 2 modules together (without taking out a host of other things in the process).

Thoughts?

[Transporter]

What's the scan saying?

[matt510]

I dont have my vagcom here with me, the generic scan tool i have came up with "01326 ECU malfunction - steering wheel J453 malfunction".

So it is looking alot like the clock spring.

Is there any way of checking this before i just rip the dash apart and start replacing things?

[matt510]

Also checked Fuses 2 (steering angle sender) and 14 (steering column electronics unit) in fuse holder B (the top fuse box below the stereo) as well as fuse 9 (adaptive cruise control unit) in fuse holder C (the lower fuse box below stereo) all fuses are in working order.

[Sunny43.5]

Disconnect the battery and see if it resets itself , we had that with our van lost power windows cruise and some other stuff . Not sure what caused it but after reconnecting the battery it fixed itself . a bit like a computer that gets confused you have to reboot . Might be worth a try oh and it has not done it again since .

[BrianJ]

Check out this thread it may be what you have happening, there is a logic fault built into the control module that VW has never issued a correction for. Mine did this recently when I was away, but I corrected it using the method I wrote in this thread:

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f136/indicators-windows-cruise-control-failure-88105.html?highlight=brianj

There is also some fuses under the battery which you could check if you have a different fault to the one in the link.

[matt510]

I tried the battery connect disconnect already Sunny43.5 (replaced the alternator a couple weeks back so battery was for some hours, FWIW to replace the alternator you must get the front of the van into the service position, there is a youtube video of a guy who does it with the front still on the vehicle, he fails to mention (or perhaps doesnt know) that one of the engine mount bolts cannot be reached on some engines because a coolant hose clamp prevents the socket from locating correctly).

But back to this issue, I dont think the intermittent issue that others have had with a software glitch is the problem here either, this has been consistently broken for the past month or 2 and post facelift electronic modules are significantly different enough for me to think the software is quite different to the 2005 era T5's that complained of that issue in the link.

I'm off to the wrecker this afternoon to pickup a clock spring, I'll post the results when i've changed it out.

[Sunny43.5]

Yes it was my van that I wrote about some years ago the 2005 T5 series and yes different electronics for sure , strange one I found with our new T5.1 2012 model I fitted factory cruise back when it was new . I broke the clock spring {don't ask } and ordered a new one from VW well the part arrives and I find its the wrong one ! turns out VW were selling the new T5.1 s with alternate development parts and even with the vin number it was a guessing game if you got the right one . They aren't hard to fit as I got quite good at it as I fitted 2 more factory cruise controls after that for some friends {no I didn't bust the clock spring on those }

[matt510]

No love unfortunately - new clock spring did nothing more that lighten my wallet $150. I'm all out of ideas at this point. Apart from perhaps getting under the dash with a multimeter and confirming the wire connections from within the steering wheel are making connection to their correct locations in the BCM but unfortunately that would require a wiring diagram that specified this info which of course is unobtainium. I have gleaned from other posts that Pin 10 in the steering wheel is the LIN communications line and goes to pin 17 of the white connector on the BCM. Pin 9 is +12V and goes to location 34 of fusebox C (fuse is OK). but thats about it. Does anyone have a pinout for J453 steering control module that may shed some light on the wiring for me?

In the mean time i'll make sure there is +12V and continuity on the LIN line to the BCM because for sure if either of these 2 wires are out of action i would get exactly this issue.

[Sunny43.5]

I wish now I had kept the wiring diagram for the cruise controls I fitted as it had a pretty good description with photos of the wiring from the steering wheel down to the BCM and all its connectors . Sorry .

[Umai Naa!!]

J453 is on the bottom side of the steering column. You'll need to remove the cowling.

It sounds like it's dead, but worth checking the earth wire under there on the column, and the connections at J453.

Was the Cruise Control factory-fitted, or was the Genuine VW kit fitted at the dealership?

[matt510]

Hey Umai - It does indeed sound like J453 has kicked the bucket. I doubt its just a grounding issue as it was working fine then just packed it in (no work had been done inside the dash or anything like that to have disturbed the ground, and when it went out it just went out and never came back, not intermittent as i would expect from a ground issue - But i'll throw a multimeter at it all the same and make sure of a good ground, certainly i've heard the connections can go out so i'll wiggle the multimeter around the pins and make sure everything is making good contact as well).

Not 100% sure if cruise was dealer fitted or OEM factory fit (i bought the car second hand). Although if i were to guess i'd say it was OEM fitted.

Do you know if the J453 MFSW control unit in the Multivan is a common part across VW's or will this part be specific to the multi? Just wondering how hard its going to be to track down a replacement without being raped by the dealer.

[Umai Naa!!]

Try Brookvale Spares in Smithfield.

Get one from a van that's as close.in spec as yours is. Worst case, you can get it re-coded to suit whatever steering wheel electrics you have.

[vw transporter]

Hey guys sorry to post on here about my problems but this page won't allow me to register.
I have big confusion with the removal of the sump on a 2002 t4 2L petrol AAC motor. I've removed what seems to be the power stirring pump? Correct me if I'm wrong. To gain access to one of the sump bolts hiden behind it. The other side of the sump is tucked up the k frame. Do i have to drop the k frame and motor to get to it?
Also i can't get to my exhaust manifold gasket from the top or bottom of the motor? What should i do? Help please?

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[matt510]

Just figured i'd follow this one up so anyone else who may have the same issue can know what it was that solved the problem. J453 which is the MFSW control unit had failed. On the 2012 post facelift T5 this J453 unit is built into the left hand keypad on the steering wheel. So to fix the issue pop the airbag off the steering wheel, remove the two sets of buttons and replace. Most VWs that have the MFSW of this vintage have a slightly different arrangement where the J453 control unit is a seperate unit in the steering wheel (what you would see when you remove the airbag is a ribbon cable coming from each set of buttons going into the control unit) - my guess is this would still work (i believe the CAN/LIN protocol is the same, just the topology is different) but the airbag is different so you would need the steering wheel plus airbag).