MFA Failure: Engine Stalling at 120 km/h

Hello everyone,

'On my Golf 4, 74kW AXR engine, manufactured in December 2002, and with the current mileage of 25,000 km, I have now received the above error message for about one second for the second time while driving at 120 km/h on the highway.'
'The first time this happened (approximately 10,000 km ago, also on the highway), I immediately pulled over and checked the belts and electrical connections (B+ and F-terminals) ==> I found no abnormalities or loose connections, no corrosion, or anything unusual on the front side of the device, etc.'
After that, I checked the error memory of the engine control unit and the instrument cluster at home ==> no errors were found.

Since this message has appeared again:
Does anyone know the relevant diagnosis code in the instrument or EDC, i.e., under what conditions is the report generated?
For example, I suspect that...
- Low voltage in the vehicle's electrical system (despite the engine running) at xy volts.
- Is the DF generator utilization for EDC plausible?
- Loose connection or implausible signal at the instrument?

or was it simply the case that, due to switched-off consumers and low temperatures (generator characteristic curve), I had an excessively high on-board voltage?
Does anyone have any advice?

Additional question: Is the speed still determined using the harmonic components of the voltage, or is a speed sensor being evaluated?

Danke u. Regards,
VG

Hello again,

Apparently, I'm the only one who has seen this message on the instrument so far.

What would you do?
On the one hand, there are sporadic errors without any error codes. On the other hand, the car is only 10 months old, and in the event of potential voltage surges, other control units could also 'age' more quickly. However, I'm also not interested in having the dealer replace the generator, the instrument cluster, or the engine control unit (I might end up with completely new problems afterwards).

What do you think?
Leave everything as it is, or react?

By the way, I measured approximately 14.8V at an outside temperature of 5°C, and this voltage only dropped slightly even at idle speed when the headlights and rear window heater were on.

Danke u. Regards,
VG

burg_int wrote:

Apparently, I am the only one who has seen this message on the instrument so far. What would you do?

Hi,

You can either write an email to VW and ask for clarification, or contact "Gute Fahrt" magazine – they sometimes know surprising things. Unfortunately, I can't offer you any more information.

Hello again,

Here's one final contribution to conclude this topic.

We have now received feedback from Wolfsburg indicating that the issue is related to static electricity. While I have also seen this information in other forums, the previously suspected cause was the serpentine belt, whose part number has recently changed. It appears that replacing the belt with the new part has resolved the issue of the warning light illuminating.

The problem, which mainly occurs in cold, dry weather, is the generator itself. In cases of static charge buildup, the generator automatically shuts down, which leads to an error message in the instrument cluster.

Solution: Replacement of the generator. However, modified parts with a discharge resistor are currently not available. The dealer assumes that customers will not be contacted, meaning that those affected will have to arrange for the replacement themselves.

Regards,
VG