How To Fix EPC Light On VW? - The Aircooled Community

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In this article, we will show you how to fix the EPC light on a VW vehicle such as the Jetta, Golf, Passat, Polo or Beetle. Before we jump to the practical information, we will explain what the EPC warning light means. The EPC light is one of the 64 warning lights in a Volkswagen.

How to fix EPC light on VW Jetta or Golf — How to fix EPC light on VW?

What is the EPC light?

The VW EPC warning light, also known as the Electronic Power Control warning light, is a vehicle warning indicator that indicates a problem with your Volkswagen’s throttle system.

EPC light VW - Throttle body — Fix the Volkswagen EPC light VW – Throttle body

When the EPC notification comes on in your Volkswagen dashboard, your car needs to be repaired as soon as possible. Under normal circumstances, your car should definitely have enough power to drive to the VW repair shop.

The VW EPC warning light indicates a problem with the throttle pedal, throttle body, traction control, or cruise control.

How to fix the EPC light on a VW

To fix the EPC light on a VW, we advise you to visit a local Volkswagen repair shop. In the repair shop, they will be able to diagnose the problem.

The first possible solution for you would be to have your engine sensor replaced or reset to see if this turns off the EPC light.

If you want to fix the EPC light yourself, you can try the following: first, start the car normally. Then, start the car for the second time and push the gas pedal to the floor when the engine starts. In some cases, this works.

It is also a good idea to check the electrical connections on the throttle body. The Volkswagen EPC light might turn OFF after you clean the connector.

Detect problems with an OBD2 scanner

An OBD2 scanner is a very cool device. It is the easiest and fastest way to find the problem when your EPC lights appears on your dashboard. The device reads the trouble codes from your vehicle. These codes are stored in one of your control units. You should definitely scan these units:

ABS control unit
Steering control unit
Engine control unit
Transmission control unit

The cheapest OBD2 scanners can only read the engine control unit. As the problem could appear in multiple control units, we recommend you to buy a more advanced scanner.

We highly recommend these OBDLink scanners for iOS, Windows and Android. The bluetooth scan tool is easy to install and completely safe to leave plugged in without draining your Volkswagen battery.

OBD2 scanner to fix the EPC Light on a VW — OBD2 scanner

VW EPC light reset

To reset the VW EPC light, you need to access the Engine Control Module, also called EMC. To complete this process, you’ll need diagnostic equipment to connect with the data link connector of the vehicle in order to pull out all DTC’s (also called Diagnostic Trouble Codes) memorized. Once you have all the data, you will be fully informed about the root cause of the problem. This will allow you to repair and replace the bad pieces and reset the ECM. When this is done, the EPC warning light will turn OFF.

Can you drive with the EPC light on?

Yes you can. However, we strongly advise you to have your EPC light fixed as soon as possible. When the VW EPC light is on on your dashboard, it means that there may be several limited functions to your car. Your car might lose power, could have engine damage, limited brake or steering functions.

What causes an EPC light to come on?

The EPC light (Electronic Power Control) can come on for a variety of reasons, including issues with the throttle body, throttle pedal, or throttle position sensor. It can also indicate a problem with the transmission, such as low transmission fluid or a malfunctioning transmission control module. Other potential causes include issues with the engine control module, wiring, or vacuum leaks. It is recommended to consult your vehicle manual or taking your vehicle to a mechanic if the EPC light is on. Here’s some more information;

Wiring issues can occur in any electronic system in the vehicle, and can cause problems with the EPC system if the wiring that connects the various sensors and modules is damaged or corroded.
Internal engine problems, such as low compression in one or more cylinders or a malfunctioning camshaft sensor, can also cause the EPC light to come on.
A malfunctioning steering sensor can cause problems with the EPC system by providing incorrect information about the position of the steering wheel, which can affect the operation of the throttle body.
A malfunctioning ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) sensor can cause problems with the EPC system by providing incorrect information about the speed of the vehicle, which can affect the operation of the throttle body.
A throttle body failure can cause the EPC light to come on, as the throttle body controls the amount of air that enters the engine, and a malfunctioning throttle body can cause problems with engine performance and fuel efficiency.
Power steering failure can cause the EPC light to come on, as the power steering system assist the driver in steering the wheel and a malfunction in it can affect the operation of the throttle body.

It is important to note that these are just a few examples of potential causes, and a proper diagnostic should be done by a mechanic to determine the exact cause of the EPC light coming on.

Frequently asked questions

How to fix epc light on vw passat?

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for fixing an EPC light on a VW Passat, as the cause of the light coming on can vary depending on the specific issue. Here are a few general troubleshooting steps that may help resolve the issue:– Check the Throttle Body: A clogged throttle body can cause the EPC light to come on. Cleaning the throttle body can often resolve the issue.Check the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS): The TPS may be malfunctioning if the EPC light is on. A faulty TPS can be replaced to resolve the issue.– Check the Transmission Fluid: Low transmission fluid levels can cause the EPC light to come on. Check the transmission fluid level and top it off if necessary.– Check the Engine Control Module (ECM): A malfunctioning ECM can cause the EPC light to come on. The ECM can be replaced to resolve the issue.– Check the Wiring: Wiring issues can cause the EPC light to come on. – Check the wiring for any damage or corrosion and repair or replace as necessary.– Check the Vacuum Leaks: If you suspect vacuum leaks in your vehicle, this could cause the EPC light to come on. This can be resolved by fixing the vacuum leaks.It’s important to note that these are just a few examples of potential causes, and a proper diagnostic should be done by a mechanic to determine the exact cause of the EPC light coming on. They may run some diagnostic tests such as OBD-II scanner, and also look into the vehicle’s history of repairs and maintenance.