car had 2 codes, help with what they mean

[rabbit GTI/GTD]

I have a 96 passat tdi, light came on today when my wife had the car. i read the codes, 01117-Generator Terminal DF Load Signal and 65535-Control Module. I cleared the codes and the light hasnt come back on yet.

[the caveman]

The first one i have seen when the 2 pin connector on the alternator was loose . Check your charging voltage and amperage
The second one may have been caused by a low voltage issue [see above] , but can be serious ....or not . Wait and see if it comes back

[rabbit GTI/GTD]

k, thanks for the fast response. charging is good, 14.6 volts, but every moring when i fire it up, i have to give the car a little rev to make it charge, so i bet there is a bad connection at the alternator, probly causing both codes like u say, i'll have to have a look

[Vincent Waldon]

One other suggestion/question: are you using Vag-Com to read the codes, or a generic scanner?

If generic the text may or may not line up with the actual VW problem... folks have been mislead before.

A search on tdiclub.com for those specific codes might turn up more info as well.

[rabbit GTI/GTD]

it was with an OTC genysis scan tool with vw software

[the caveman]

the 65535 is kinda "i not sure what's wrong with me" general ecu failure. That's why i think it might something to do with the low battery voltage.

[Vincent Waldon]

Yup.

It's also very common when the small boost hose that feeds into the ECU breaks internally... lots of mechanics then toss the ECU and sell the customer a new one but of course it can be fixed:

http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q_how_to/a3b4/ecuhosechip.htm

On Vag-com it's labeled "65535 - Internal Control Module Memory Error" which is why I didn't recognize it right off the bat... poTAYto poTATo.  ;-)

[ryanp]

I had the charging issue, if i drove on small journeys below 3krpm the battery would die quite soon, if i rev-ved it on the spot and then went out it would be perfect.

Check the small BLUE wire from the alternator, definatly the cause. think it's called the exciter wire or something

[rabbit GTI/GTD]

will do, once i get time. to dark when i get home lol. thanks to all the replies.

[rabbit GTI/GTD]

som fixed the broken wires to the alternator a few weeks ago, got rid of one code. now the control module failure code still there, so i'm gonna reaplce the boost line inside the ecm and any others that look bad. just had to replace the alternator this weekend, not cheap. and the harmonic balancer was done, luckily i had a used one to throw on.

[ryanp]

the corroded wiring is a common issue that costs ££ if you pay someone to fix it!