VW EPC: How to fix the EPC light on your Volkswagen?
The EPC warning light in Volkswagen (abbreviated as VW EPC) is related to the throttle system, cruise control, traction control, and other engine management functions. If one of these systems is not working properly, the EPC warning light will probably come on in your Volkswagen dashboard.
You can see this and other illuminated dashboard symbols when you start your car. In this case, everything is fine. The problem occurs if the EPC warning light stays on continuously even after starting or comes on while driving.
What is the VW EPC light?
As said, EPC (Electronic Power Control) in Volkswagen is related to the throttle system and other engine management functions. The lit EPC warning light most often troubles the Volkswagen Golf, Polo, Jetta, or Tiguan, but other Volkswagen models are far from being an exception.
The throttle valve is electronically connected to the gas pedal. It is responsible for regulating the intake mixture and the air supply to the engine, which affects the performance of your car.
Throttle valve: How it works and its possible malfunctions
If the car is equipped with an automatic transmission, the engine management systems may have a mode in which they limit the engine power, the so-called limp-in or limp-home. This mode is triggered if the control unit registers a serious problem with the drive train. Limp-in mode aims to get you to the repair shop or home.
What can cause a VW EPC light to turn on?
If the EPC light turns on your Volkswagen Passat, Golf, or Jetta, it would most likely be the throttle system malfunction. However, there are other reasons for the EPC light turning on your Volkswagen, such as:
traction or cruise control system failure
malfunction of the accelerator pedal or throttle potentiometer
failure of the brake switch or engine electronics
throttle valve contamination
blown/blown brake light fuse
a broken light bulb
impurities in the fuel
low battery
Can I drive my Volkswagen with the EPC light on?
Short answer - yes, you can continue driving your VW. However, driving to the service center would be best as this warning light should not be underestimated even though its color is not red.
RPM Fluctuation While Driving: These are the 12 most common causes
If the root cause is a malfunction of the throttle system, you may feel that the engine speed fluctuates or shuts down while driving. You may also have a problem starting your Volkswagen altogether, so it is advisable to solve it as soon as possible.
How to fix the VW EPC light?
The fix for the EPC light on your Volkswagen highly depends on the problem, though let's summarize the possible fixes:
cleaning or replacing the throttle body
not using cheap fuel from questionable gas stations (applicable when the impurities in the fuel caused the problem)
replacing one of the faulty sensors, such as the mass air flow sensor, engine speed sensor, and others
replacing the brake light switch, blown fuse, or broken light bulb
recharging or replacing the low battery
If there's a failure in electronics, and you think one of the sensors might be causing the issues, we recommend getting your car checked first via car diagnostic.
How to extend the lifespan of the throttle valve on your Volkswagen?
An effective way to extend the lifespan of the throttle valve on your VW is its regular maintenance. Bear in mind that the lifespan of the throttle body varies, but the rough estimate is around 150 thousand kilometers (90 thousand miles).
In addition to a defect in the electronics of this part, it can also become clogged with dirt - in this case, regular cleaning of the throttle valve will help. If cleaning does not help, the throttle valve needs to be replaced. You can have it replaced at your service center.
My VW does not start while the EPC warning light is constantly on
In this case, you should try the following solution - remove the key, lock the car, unlock it, and try to start it. We don't guarantee it will work, but it's worth trying.
VW EPC light reset
In addition to the mentioned problems, a situation may arise when the EPC light in your VW lights up randomly. In this case, just reset the indicator light. They will do it at any car repair shop. However, before resetting the warning light, it is necessary to know whether it is a random error or one of the abovementioned problems.