You need to pay serious attention to the dashboard signal light that shows when you drive.
This is very important if you own a Volkswagen car. If your car’s electronic power control (EPC) light is on, it shows a potential issue inside your Volkswagen.
The issue can cause an unsafe condition or damage your car when you do not solve the problem.
In this article, we discuss the meaning of the EPC light VW, the steps to take whenever the EPC light is on, and also the advantages of immediate service if your car displays the EPC light signal.
What Does EPC Light Mean on VW?
The Volkswagen EPC light, referred to as Electric Power Control warning light is an indicator that alerts you of a problem with your Volkswagen’s throttle system such as your throttle pedal, traction control, cruise control unit, or throttle body requires attention.
In certain situations, however, the Volkswagen warning light could also show other issues with the Volkswagen car.
This is the reason you don’t want to neglect the EPC light in a VW Jetta, and other cars on the list are provided with an EPC light. EPC lights usually need the care of a professional automobile repairer.
Your EPC system is regulated by the steering control component, the engine control section, and the brake control component. For example, when the engine control unit malfunction, the operation as well as the fuel effectiveness of your car could greatly drop. You may observe that the EPC light of your Volkswagen will go on, as well as other VW signal lights.
It is so, considering that it is joined with various systems on the car. It also explains why it could be hard to detect the problem of the EPC light coming on.
Also Read: VW EPC Light Car Shaking (Causes & Fixes)
What Can Cause the Epc Light VW to Come On?
Just like a Check Engine Light, the EPC system in a VW Jetta could be a general alert or warning of a serious problem. As soon as your drivetrain computer identifies a signal out of ordinary spec for the system, it is saved in your computer as EPC code if it is a Volkswagen car or a trouble code for other car models.
Here, your EPC sensor must have supplied your computer with data, which made the car enter into limp-in condition. Potential problems could consist of:
- Malfunctions with timing, emissions systems, or fuel metering
- Engine speed sensor breakdown
- Issues with different sensors like the cam position sensor, brake light switch, crank, and mass airflow sensor.
- Traction control issues
- Car stability control issues
- Cruise control problems
- Throttle pedal problems
In the past, the cruise control and accelerator were joined through cables to the throttle. The system is now referred to as “drive-by-wire,” which ironically means that the cables are no longer available.
The gas pad as well as the throttle “converse with themselves” wirelessly; also, their positions and status are communicated into the drivetrain computer, without wires, as well as through sensors in real-time.
Is It Safe to Drive With the EPC Light On?
Fast answer: No. Your EPC light can show a variety of issues, some invariably minor while others are more serious. So whenever your car’s EPC light is on and also in a limp-in state, you have to carry it to an experienced dealer to check and fix it as quickly as possible.
Additionally, a few Volkswagen cars with an Electronic Stability Control (ESP) program might shut down if your EPC system detects issues with your EPC management program. Thus, when searching for a new Jetta vehicle for sale, it is necessary to observe this.
It is significant to recall: your car may even be drivable (however) in a limp-in state, yet it is limited in acceleration and speed to avoid severe damage to the drivetrain unit. This is referred to as “error-tolerant design.”
It is also intended to stop the driver from being capable of doing so much damage. Particularly in the transmission, cooling systems, and other important programs, where one issue could quickly increase and result in multiple issues when you do not fix the initial issue immediately.
What to Do When Your Epc Light Is On
It is significant to understand how to react to have the best result possible whenever the EPC light is switched on if you are using a Volkswagen vehicle. These are the steps to follow whenever the EPC light in your Volkswagen is on:
1. Minimize Vehicle Use
If you observe the EPC light, it is necessary to discontinue driving almost immediately. This guarantees that the damage which made the light come on would not continue.
2. Get Proper Diagnosis
Get a diagnostic to run your car as soon as the EPC light is switched on in your Volkswagen car. This should be the first thing you do. The lights can, however, show the programs that are going through challenges, but they don’t show the exact issue.
However, a diagnostic would quickly make known what the problem is and start fixing it.
3. Schedule Auto Service
It is necessary to correct any issue before using your Volkswagen car again after you have identified the reason your EPC light is turned on.
It ensures that there is safety when you drive and that the problem will not degenerate into other serious problems, which experts will not be able to fix, or that may need servicing, which may be more expensive.
4. Do Not Reset Your EPC Light Manually
You ought not to use any other method to switch off the warning lights on the dashboard, even if you could use them to solve the problem. Switching off the light will not solve the underlying issue, which results in it being switched on.
Also, trying to put off the light instead of taking it to a professional to check and fix it might result in driving conditions that are unsafe and also cause severe damage.
How to Fix the EPC Light on a VW
You should go to a Volkswagen repair store to repair your EPC light. In the servicing center, they quickly detect the issue for you.
The first probable solution will be to change the engine sensor or reboot to check if it will switch off your EPC light.
When you wish to repair your EPC light by yourself, you could attempt the following. Firstly, you should start the vehicle normally. Secondly, start the vehicle again and press your gas pad to the ground when your engine starts. Sometimes this will work.
Also, checking your electrical connection to your throttle body is good. Your Volkswagen EPC light may switch off after the connector is cleaned.
1. Detect problems with an OBD2 scanner
The OBD2 scanner is used to quickly locate the issue whenever the EPC light turns-on on the dashboard. In addition, this device scans the problem codes from the car. These trouble codes are saved in a control unit.
You ought to scan the following units:
- Transmission control unit
- Engine control unit
- Steering control unit
- ABS control unit
The most affordable OBD2 scanner will just scan your engine control unit. However, the issue could occur in different control units; thus, we advise that you purchase an advanced scanner.
OBDLink scanners are highly approved for Windows, Android, and IOS. The Bluetooth scanning device is not difficult to install. Also, it is secure to allow it to be drained.
2. VW EPC Light Reset
You will require access to your Engine Control Module (EMC) to reboot your Volkswagen EPC light. To finish this stage, you will require a diagnostic tool to affix to the data link connector in the car, to remove all the stored DTCs (Diagnostic Trouble Codes).
Immediately after you acquire all the information, you will know the exact reason for the trouble. It will also let you fix and change any damaged piece and reboot your ECM. As soon as you have done all these, your EPC light will be switched off.
Check out this video for more tips on how to fix the EPC light VW
Can a Dead Battery Cause the EPC Light to Come On?
Of course. Your car’s sensor and systems depend on the baseline voltage (that could differ based on your sensor) to perform efficiently. So any drop in the baseline voltage coming from a failing alternator, dead battery, or a loose or bad bravery cable could be what is needed to create drivability issues, or simply shut down the car totally and switch on the Electronic power control light.
Also Read: VW Key Fob Battery Replacement (Step-by-Step Guide)
The Importance of Fixing the EPC Light on a Volkswagen
Most current Volkswagen cars have the electronic stability program (ESP) that is directly connected to your EPC System. If the car senses trouble with your Volkswagen EPC program, it can automatically switch off the vehicle, preventing the driver from driving the car.
When the EPC light switches on when you are driving, you must go to an experienced Des Moines-area servicing center as soon as possible to forestall that from occurring.
Can You Fix the VW EPC Light Yourself?
Most car owners just want to understand what to do to repair the EPC light in a Volkswagen Jetta and other Volkswagen products. The Volkswagen EPC light reboot isn’t recommended without repairing the underlying issue.
While a qualified mechanic with the right skill and equipment can guess which throttle system is disturbing your Volkswagen EPC lights, generally, it will need a group of professionals and the right detecting equipment to locate the culprit and fix the issue.
Not only will experienced service technicians locate the issue quicker, making you drive to Des Moines faster, but you will as well know they have fixed the problem properly. Thus, you could continue driving without fear.
What Is Volkswagen Limp Home Mode?
The limp mode is a mode that most modern cars, including Volkswagen, put themselves, so the engine can be preserved.
In a situation where the vehicle is having some issues, the limp home mode will slow down the RPM and also the gear so as not to risk any engine damage.
This could make the vehicle suddenly become slow. Whenever the limp home mode occurs, it’s a signal you have to carry the vehicle to a repair store quickly.
Also Read: Service Safety Restraint System (Meaning, Causes & Solutions)
Frequently Asked Questions – EPC Light VW
Can you drive with the EPC light on?
There is a high risk of damaging the engine if you continue driving your car while the EPC light is on. To assist in avoiding this fault, the EPC limp-home mode may be turned on, causing the car to slow down as you look for assistance.
How do I fix my EPC light?
Whenever you desire to repair the Electronic power control light all by yourself, you could attempt these procedures: Firstly, start the vehicle normally. Secondly, start the vehicle again and press the gas pad to the ground when your engine starts. Sometimes, this process might work. Also, looking at the electrical components inside the throttle is good.
What triggers EPC?
The EPC light will usually come on whenever your car losses power. Whenever an issue is detected in your Audi, especially with the connections on your throttle system, there may be a reduction in power output to reduce stress on the engine.
How much does it cost to Fix an EPC?
The price to repair an EPC light is not fixed. This is because several things could be the cause of it. Normally, the price may range from 100 to 400 dollars to repair the EPC light. However, it could sometimes be even more expensive.
Can low oil cause EPC?
Usually, engine oil appears important for a functioning engine and lubricated parts. Thus, the problem that has turned on the EPC may result from low engine oil.
Can too much oil cause the EPC light to come on?
Different things could trigger the Electronic power control light, but the commonest problem is the pedal sensor or throttle, mass air flow sensor, or traction control. It’s highly unlikely that oil change together with EPC light is connected.
What does EPC mean on the dashboard?
EPC means Electric Power Control, and it is a warning light on the dashboard of a modern Volkswagen product. When the light comes on, this implies that there is an issue with the sensors or throttle systems of the Volkswagen.
Conclusion – EPC Light VW
The Volkswagen EPC light, referred to as Electric Power Control warning light is an indicator that alerts you of a problem with your Volkswagen’s throttle system such as your throttle pedal, traction control, cruise control unit, or throttle body requires attention.
We hope this post was of help to you. Please feel free to check out our other blog articles if you want to get more tips for fixing and preventing car troubles!