VAG RELAY INDETIFICATION

VW RELAY PROBLEM, AUDI RELAY ISSUES, SEAT RELAY TROUBLE AND SKODA RELAY DIFFICULTIES.

So, you have an electrical problem with one of your car's relays and you have no idea which one is troublesome or misbehaving because even the Bentley manual got that information wrong. Well, your'e in for a treat because I have listed several VAG relays in their "marking number order", making them easy to identify. For example, the manual lists the Motronic Engine Control Module Relay as item (J271) which is in fact Relay #428 for older gasoline powered VW, AUDI, SKODA and SEAT cars and Relay #460 for later (newer) gasoline powered VW, AUDI, SKODA and SEAT cars whereas  Relay #109 is the Motronic Engine Control Module Relay for older diesel powered VW, AUDI, SKODA and SEAT cars and Relay #120 for later (newer) diesel VW, AUDI, SKODA and SEAT cars. VAG cars have relays strew all over the car, sometimes in the engine compartment, sometimes under the dashboard, sometimes in the fuse distributor, etc, so they're not always that simple to find. However if you know what they do, then fault finding relay issues / problem,  becomes simple.

Relays with their VAG numbers inscribed on the plastic housing.

WHAT IS A RELAY?

Technically, a  relay is just a remote switch. Most of the VAG relays are 4 pronged, and the reason relays are use as remotes switches, is because its contacts can carry a lot more current than a dashboard mounted switch. Besides relays make it convenient to switch several sets of contacts simultaneously when the solenoid in energized. Relays come in all sorts of configurations among which are single pole single throw, double pole double throw, etc and can be really toublesome. Most VAG solenoids have 4 prongs, 1 or 2 regular prongs used for the solenoid winding and 2 or 3 heavy duty prongs allocated for the switch contacts that carry higher currents. Relay contacts can become intermittent after suffering consistent contact bounce. The relay solenoid can even burn out, causing the relay not to respond. The most common problem on relays is cracked or dry solder joints on the printed circuit board around the heavy duty prongs. I've also found the plastic stays that supports the metal relay contact melt due to heat build-up rendering the mechanical switch movement inoperative.

Cracked / Dry Solder joints. This is what happens inside relays.

It is also common for relay contacts to fuse/melt/weld together either in the normally open or the normally closed position.  A telltale sign is that the plastic housing is discoloured in an area and often bulged due to excessive heat where this happens. Sometimes the relay prongs heat up so much that it melts  the socket it plugs into causing the PVC/plastic to flow between the prong and socket contacts causing an open circuit. Either way, relay will have to be replaced and perhaps even the relay socket.  VW used many Multi purpose relays like Relay #1, Relay #53, Relay #204, Relay #645 to mention but a few. These can easily be used in place of most other relays should it meet the necessary current specifications.  Spade terminals connected to a short lengths of appropriate thickness wire  from each sprong and plugged into the correct relay socket slot can serve as a converter if the switch prongs are differently configured from the one you need.

VAG Engine Control Module Relay Circuit showing  the relay output powering-up the ECU.

VW Relays, SKODA Relays, Audi Relays, SEAT Relays,

Relay #1 SEAT, VW Relay Multi Use Relay ... Part No - 171 906 383

Relay #7 AUDI Relay - ABS Hydraulic Pump Relay

Relay #13 VW, SKODA Relay - A/C Relay

Relay #15 AUDI VW SEAT SKODA glow plug relay  (same as #202) ... Part No - 8A0 951 253

Relay #17 SKODA, Audi Seat VW relay  ... Part No - 171 937 503A

Relay #18 VW, Audi, Seat, Skoda, Load Reduction Relay  ... Part No - 191 937 503

Relay #19 VW, Seat, Audi  Relay - Wiper Interval Relay ... Part No - 321 955 531A

Relay 20 VAG VW Audi Skoda Relay - Rear Window Wiper Relay ... Part No - 171 955 529

Relay #21 Polo Passat, Bora, Caddy, Emergency Signal Flasher Relay ... Part No - 191 953 227 A

Relay #22 VAG, VW, Audi, Skoda, Indicator Hazards Relay  ... Part No -  431 953 231

Relay #27 Seat Relay - Belt Warning Control Module Relay

Relay #30 VW, AUDI Relay - Rear Window Wiper/Washer Relay

Relay #31 VW, Audi, Seat, Wiper Timed Relay ... Part No -  191 955 532A

Relay #33 VW relay - Headlight Washer System Relay

Relay #36 VW, Audi, Seat,  Lights Left On Buzzer Relay ... Part No -  3A0 951 307

Relay #38 VW, Audi, Seat, Skoda,  Air Conditioning Relay  ... Part No -  191 906 383A

Relay #53 VW, Audi, Seat, Skoda Relay -  Multi Use Relay ... Part No -  141 951 253B

Relay #67 VW Jetta relay - FP (Fuel Pump) Relay

Relay #68  VAG,VW, Audi,Skoda, Coasting Relay (Fog lights / Horn)... Part No -  811 919 098B

Relay #72  VW, Audi, Seat, Rear Wiper Relay ... Part No -  191 955 529

Relay #74  VAG, Control Unit Fuel Cut Off Relay ... Part No - 811 919 096G

Relay #76  VW, Audi Relay -   Double Relay ... Part No - 443927826,

Relay #79 VW Relay - Remote Rear Lid Relay

Relay #80   VW,  12v 40 Amp Fuel Pump Relay ... Part No - 191 906 383

Relay #87 VW AUDI Relay - ABS Relay

Relay #88  VW, Audi, Seat Relay - Buzzer Relay ... Part No - 443 951 307ABC

Relay #94  VW  Audi Relay - Head light Relay ... Part No - 191 906 383B

Relay #99 VW Relay - Washer/Wiper Intermittent Relay

Relay 100  Jetta, VW, Polo, Golf Relay -  SAI relay (secodary Air Injection)   (J299)

Relay #100 VW, Audi , Seat, Skoda, Golf , Bora  Beetle, Load Reduce Relay 7M0 951 253A

Relay #109  ECU Power Supply Diesel AUDI, Skoda, Seat, VW,  ... Part No - 357 906 381A

Relay #117 VW Audi Seat  Control Unit Relay Part Number 357906121

Realy #120  VW AUDI VW Diesel Engine Control module relay ...  Part No - 1H0 906 123

Relay #128  VW AUDI  Headlight Control Relay Part 7M0 941 597

Relay #131 VW Audi Seat Skoda  Timed Cooling Fan Relay Part No 357959485

Relay #134 Audi, VW,  Diesel Engine Relay Part No - 357906123

Relay #147  VW Audi Seat  Air Conditioning Relay Part No 1H0959142

Relay #149 VW Audi Seat Skoda  Rear ELECTRIC OPENING VENT WINDOW Nr 357959485

Relay #151  VW Audi Seat Skoda  Rear Fog Light Realy Part Number191945383

Relay #153 VW Audi Seat Skoda PNEUMATIC IDLE SPEED BOOST Part No357907467

Relay #167  VWAudi Seat Skoda Fuel Pump Relay With Part No 191906383C

Relay #168 VW, Audi, Aircon Retardation Relay Part No 7M0906363

Relay #169 VW Audi Seat Skoda Relay Heated Rear Window Relay Part No 7M0959627C

Relay #136  AUDI , VW GOLF, IBIZA 1.9 AAZ Engine Control Unit Relay 1H0 906 123 A

Relay #185 VW, Audi,Seat, Skoda, Relay For Starter Check Part No - 3B0 91 1251

Relay #200  VW Audi Seat Skoda Relay Part No. - 7M0 951 255

Realy #201 VW Audi Seat Skoda Relay Close Contact Relay Part  No. - 443 951 253T

Relay #202   AUDI A4/A6 VW PASSAT Relay  - Glow Plug Relay NO 202 8A0 951 253

Relay #203 VW Audi Seat Skoda GLOW PLUG RELAY FUEL PUMP Part No 8A0 951 253A

Relay #204  VW, Audi,   Skoda, SEAT Relay - Multi Use Relay Part Number 4319 512 53H

Relay #205 VW Audi SEAT Relay - Contact Close Relay Part Number 443 951 253

Relay #206 VWAudi Seat Skoda Relay For Air Con Part Number 431951253F

Relay #208 VW Relay - Contact Close Relay Part Number 8A0951253B

Relay #213  VW Audi Relay - Coolant Fan Relay 443951253J

Relay #214  Audi, VW  Relay - Cooling Fan Muli UseRelay  443951253K / 8D0951253A

Relay #215 Audi Contact Close Relay Part Number No - 4439 512 53l

Relay #216  VW Audi Seat  Relay - Contact Close Relay Part Number 443 951 253M

Relay #217 VW Audi Relay Part Number 443 951 253S

Relay #218 VW Audi Seat Skoda  Window Regulator Relay Part No 895951254

Relay #213  VW Audi   SEAT Skoda Relay - Cooling Fan Relay  443951253J Relief a4 a6 a8

Relay #219 VW PASSAT  AUDI A4, TOUAREG Relay - 12V FAN RELAY 443 951 253 AA

Relay #229  VW Audi Seat Skoda Relay - Intermediate Wiper Relay Part No 431 955 531

Relay # 236 Audi Time Control Relay Part Number 443955532A

Relay #239 VW Audi Seat Realy - Rear Wiper Washer Relay Part Number 445955529A

Relay #240 VW Audi Oil Pressure Relay Part Number 443919082

Relay #241  VW Audi Oil Pressure Relay Part Number 443919082B

Relay #259 VW Audi Seat Buzzer Relay Part Number 443951307A

Relay #267 VW Audi Skoda Magnetic Clutch Relay 443919578C

Relay #272 VWAudi Time Control Relay Part Number 443955532C

Relay #297 VW Audi Control Unit GearShift Lock Relay PartNumber 443927351B

Relay #296 VW Audi Seat Skoda  Relay For Magnetic Coupling PartNo 443919578G

Relay #301 VWAUDI SEAT RELAY Part No 4A09194714A

Relay #305 VW Audi Seat Skoda AC Compressor Control Unit Relay No 443919578J

Relay #310 Audi Relay - Oil Pressure Relay Part Number 893 919 082A

Relay #337 VW Audi Seat Skoda Relay Part No 4A0 907 413

Relay #339 VW Audi Seat Skoda Relay For ABS Part No 4A0 907 517

Relay #342 VW AUDI Audi Air Conditioning Clutch Relay Part No - 4A0919579C

Relay #351 VW Audi Seat Skoda Relay For ABS Part No 4A0907513A

Relay #355 VW Audi Seat Skoda  Relay PartNo 4A0 907 413A

Relay #357 VW Audi Skoda  Seat Cruise Control Relay... Part No - 4A0907307A

Relay #361 VW, AUDI, SEAT 1.9 TDI Relay   ... Part No - 4A0 907 440

Relay #364 Audi Seat Skoda VW Relay Part No 4A0951258

Relay #366 VW Audi Seat Skoda Relay Part No 4A0907413B

Relay #368 Audi Seat Skoda VW Relay For Heater Unit Part No 4A0 907 045

Relay # 370  VW Audi Relay Close Contact Relay 8d0 951 253

Relay #373  AUDI VW Part Number: 8D0951253A (8D0 951 253A)

Relay #377  VW Golf   Bora  Intermittent Wash Wipe, fuse Relay ... Part No - 4B0 955 531A

Relay #381 VW, Audi, Skoda, Fog Light Relay ... Part No - 431951253G

Relay #387 VW, Audi, Skoda, Head light Brake Warning Relay ... Part No - 4B0 919 417

Relay #389 VW Relay - Headlight washers Relay

Relay #390 VW, Audi, Multi Function Steering Wheel Relay ... Part No - 4B0 907 487

Relay #399  VW, AUDI,  Audi A8,  Multi Function Steering Wheel Controller

Relay #410 VW, Golf  MK4,  Lupo, Bora, Pasat, VW Polo Relay - Fuel Pump Relay 6N0 906 383A

Relay #411 VW, Passat, Jetta, Golf, Skoda , Seat, Relay ... Part No - 1J0 959 485 A

Relay #428 VW, Audi, Motronic Engine Control Module Relay (J271)  

Relay #430  VW Audi, Seat, Skoda, Relay   ... Part No -7M3 959 143

Relay #433 VW Golf, Touareg Relay - Starter Cut Off Relay, ... Part No -  3D0 951 253 A

Relay #451 VW GOLF BORA Relay - Multi Function Steering Wheel Relay control Unit  1J0 907 487A

Relay #460  VW GOLF JETTA Relay - Passat Engine Control Unit Relay ... Part No - 1K0951253A

Relay #461 VW Touran Relay - 1T2 1.9 TDI (J271)  Glow plug Relay  03G 907 282A  

Relay #460 ECU Relay,  VW GOLF MK5 JETTA Passat Audi A3 TT 1K0951253A

Relay #645 Audi VW Skoda Seat Relay - Multipurpose  Cooling Fan Relay 4H0 951 253A

SEAT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEMS

SEAT COMMON PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS  

The supermini SEAT Cordoba based on the Seat Ibiza Mk2, has been around since 1993. When the Volkswagen AG took over production from the Spanish auto maker, it was  replaced by the Ibiza ST /  Seat Vario built on the same platform as the Mk4 VW Polo and the Skoda Fabia. They are available in coupe, saloon and estate in 1.2, 1.4,  1.6, 1.8 and 2.0L petrol and 1.9L diesel engines with either a 5-speed manual or 6-speed tiptronic gearbox, and were in production until 2009. These cars  were  renown  for their good performance, handling and its safety features, but like all cars, they tend to develop common problems after a few years. Pero es un buen coche para comenzar en Mexico y España.

The most common of all engine problems was engine misfiring and in the process turning on the Seat check engine light, or the Seat Ibiza engine warning light, or  Seat Altea engine warning light, or the Seat Leon engine warning light, or Seat Arosa engine warning light, or Seat Leon TDI engine warning light, or Seat Cordoba  engine warning light. The most likely cause of this problem was the coil pack or the spark plug leads which needs replacement. A telltale sign was excessive  shaking when idling. This was very prevalent when coming to a stop street or traffic light or when starting first thing in the morning. Unlike cars of yesteryear  that had a single coil and a distributor that supplied a spark to the upcoming spark plug; these cars have its own coil pack for each cylinder. More coils packs  just increased the amount of things that could go wrong, and do they go wrong.

Another common problem with the Mk4 was a lack of power which also turns on the Seat Ibiza engine diagnosis warning light or Seat Cordoba engine warning light.  The cause of the problem in most cases is  the MAF (mass air flow) sensor. A telltale sign is a lack of power at high speeds and or just  poor overall acceleration. It is always worthwhile to try and clean it with compressed air but if this didn't solve the problem, replacement is the only option.  Once repaired,  one would feel an immediate improvement on performance. 

Many Seat Cordoba window wipers also just suddenly stops working which sometimes turned out to be the wiper linkage that seized and sometimes turns out to be the wiper motor and sometimes both. Then there is the ever creaking noise sometimes sounding like an exhaust rattle coming from the front suspension when driving over speed bumps or rough surfaces. This turned out to be the anti roll bar bushes which after replacement solved the problem. A problem that plagued the automatic models is the ever noticeable red oil mark on the ground underneath the car. The origin of the leak is either gearbox seal leaking or the selector shaft seal that is leaking. Seal replacement normally stops the leak. Failure to address this problem ends up with the gear lever stuck in park with the PRDN light glowing right red on the dashboard. The gearbox  grinds when attempting to put the car into drive but will kick in with an huge thud.

Then there is the breaking distance problem on certain models (Ibiza, Toledo, Cordoba, Leon, Vario and Inca) fitted with ABS, needing a lot more force to be applied to the brake pedal to get the car to stop. The cause of the problem turned out to be tension cracks that develop in the vacuum pipe going to the brake servo near to the connections area. This is in fact a manufacturing fault that can be replaced under recall free of charge. After replacement of the vacuum pipes breaking was back to normal.

Ibiza, Altea Toledo, Leon Toloedo, Cordoba  and Alhambra vehicles fitted with a 3 and 4 cylinder pump injector engine with 2 valves per injector is prone to the bolts on the tandem pump cover that breaking off.  This was also a manufacturer  fault and vehicles were recalled to have the pump checked that was supplied by a certain manufacture.

Seat Ibiza and Seat Toledo and Seat Leon with VINs ranging from VSSZZZ1MZ1B036908 to VSSZZZ1Mz1B044227 seem to have a problem with head airbag unit which would fail to activate under certain collision conditions. Seat Altes,Toledo and Leon with 2 L TDI engine and  6 speed manual VIN ranging from VSSZZZ5PZ4R000048 to VSSZZZ5PZ4R017390 and VSSZZZ5PZ5R000026 to VSSZZZ5PZ5R103620 and VSSZZZ5PZ6R000009 to VSSZZZ5PZ6R001638  have flywheel problems that was also recalled for replacement.

The Seat Cordoba 1.9 TDI also developed starting problem when not driven for a day or two. But will eventually start after several attempts, idling very rough and smoking. In some cases it just drained the battery as well. But once she started it will start every time thereafter until left to stand for a day or two again.  This was caused by the diesel pipes sucking in air causing the diesel to flow pack towards the tank. The cause was a leaking diesel filter. A very annoying problem with some Mk4 is the drafts that comes in through door seals. It seemed that these rubber seals tend to collapsed after 5 years. Another thing is the coolant sensors / temperature sensors are generally of a very poor quality on all VW/Audi/Seat/Skoda group cars. They just tend to go faulty all the time. Surprisingly most of these problems are also prevalent in VW Polo range, after all SEAT is just another Mk4 VW Polo that has been badge engineered.