What Are the Risks Associated with Defective Control Modules in Volkswagen Cars

The control modules are one of the most critical parts of your Volkswagen often called Electronic Control Units (ECUs) which help in managing and controlling the functioning of the various parts in your car. These highly advanced onboard computers keep a tab on a host of activities from engine operation to transmission control.

Moreover, they receive inputs from the various sensors in your VW and use this information to control the way your car runs. In this article, we will discuss the risks associated with defective control modules in Volkswagen cars.

Engine Stalling Problems

One of the risks associated with malfunctioning control modules is directly related to the functioning of the engine in your Volkswagen. When you are driving with a defective alternator under the hood of your car then you are going to be faced with engine stalling problems that can leave you stranded in the middle of the road.

There are several important engine functions that are controlled by the control module like the ignition timing, throttle response, and fuel injection and when the control module malfunctions, the engine fails to get proper response from these components leading to engine stalling problems.

The problem might not be evident when you are driving at a slow speed, however, if you are on the highway driving very fast then the stalling will come to the fore and not only that, it can pose significant risks as the chances of collisions with other vehicles increase drastically because of the sudden loss of power.

Besides that, if the stalling problem continues unaddressed for a long time, then it can take toll a toll on the engine and can even lead to its complete failure.

Malfunctioning Braking System

The control modules in your Volkswagen are also in control of the braking system of your vehicle as the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) rely majorly on the control modules for their efficient functioning and any issues with the modules going to affect the braking performance of your car.

This is a very serious situation to get yourself into while driving because if the ABS system fails to function then your wheels might get locked during hard braking and this increases the risks of the vehicle skidding off the road leading to accidents or collision with other vehicles.

Besides that, the stopping distance of your vehicle when applying brakes is also going to increase drastically because of malfunctioning of the ABS & EBD. In addition to that, the failure of the EBD can also cause serious problems for you as it gives rise to a lack of stability when braking as the braking force distribution becomes uneven.

Now, the problems with the control modules in your car are very complex in nature and it is not possible for a VW owner to tackle the issues by referring to some DIY repair videos. That is why you must get in touch with a certified mechanic who can diagnose the problem with the help of advanced tools & initiate remedial measures.

Faulty Electrical System

The Volkswagen cars are quite advanced and the electrical system plays a critical role in the smooth running and better performance of the car. Moreover, the electrical systems in your car like the lights, wipers, and windows are controlled by the control modules and when the modules are defective then these systems are going to fail.

Most of the time due to control modules failures, you will notice that the headlights start flickering all of a sudden making it difficult for you to drive your VW at night. Furthermore, the wipers might stop working when you need them the most and your battery might also suffer as well thus making it difficult for you to drive your car.

Power Steering Issues

The power steering helps in the smooth handling of your vehicle even in tight traffic spaces and malfunctioning control modules do affect its functioning as well. At times, drivers report experiencing loss of power steering assistance which is caused due to communication breakdown between the steering system & the onboard computers.

Furthermore, taking sharp turns or navigating through busy traffic is also going to become very difficult due to defective control modules that render your power steering useless.

Finally

The above-discussed factors are some of the risks associated with control modules failures in Volkswagen and that is why you mustn’t delay in taking action whenever you see anything weird in your car. Before your VW sustains any more damage, you must contact a certified mechanic and get the issues sorted.