What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
Volkswagen Golf IV PD 130 2003 - swapping the ECU to stop lumpy cold idel - shanebarton

Hi there, I have just got a GT TDI 130 PD golf and from cold the engine judders until warm! From what I have read, this happens with a few cars and can be fixed by swapping or remapping the ECU. Now before I send money to have it remapped (which I intend on doing any way at some point) I still have my Bora with the 130 PD engine that I have not yet sold. Therefore, I was thinking of swapping the ECU’s over to see if the fault swapped. Can I do this with out needing any special equipment to re-program keys or any thing once the battery has been disconnected? Are their any tips on the best way to do this with out damaging any thing? And where is the ECU located on the cars? Thank you in advance for any help.

Volkswagen Golf IV PD 130 2003 - swapping the ECU to stop lumpy cold idel - Chris_4536

HI there,

I have a 2003 Golf (150PD) and have had a problem previously with 'erratic' idleing, turned out to be the temp. sender unit (located on the RHS of the engine block - as you look under the bonnet from the front)

Roughly £25 from VW when I got mine. It's held in place with a plastic 'horseshoe' type clip. Unplug the electrical connector, remove the clip and swap the sensor quickly to reduce coolant loss ( some will spill out so do this on a COLD ENGINE!)

Hope that solves the problem, also have to be aware of the cam/camshaft wear issue - I had to have mine replaced @ 78K cost of around £800 (VW wanted £1500!!!)

Just make sure their is enough of the correct spec oil in at all times (get some Quantam Platinum from VW)