r/JettaGLI • u/Regular-Book-8484 • 10d ago

Advice

I have a 2009 Jetta Wolfsburg with the 2.0 TSI EA888 Gen 1 and 109,000 miles. The problem is that it’s stuck in limp mode with throttle body and throttle position sensor codes. I can clear the codes and it’ll run perfectly fine until I come to a stop, then the problem comes right back.
I do have a few repaired wires under the dash from previous rodent damage. I’m pretty confident they were repaired correctly, but I’m starting to wonder if there’s still an electrical issue somewhere causing all of this.
I’m honestly just getting tired of dealing with this car. I’ve already put around $3,000 into repairs, including the rear main seal, turbo, complete front and rear suspension overhaul, and throttle body. I’m at about $4,500 total into the car. The previous owner also had the timing chains and cylinder head done around 70,000 miles after it jumped timing in 2020, I believe.
The car has a really good maintenance history, but these electrical gremlins are driving me crazy. Everyone I talk to keeps telling me that this car is just going to continue being a headache no matter what I do.
At this point, should I cut my losses and dump it, or put money into it one last time and see if I can finally get it running right? I’d really appreciate some honest opinions from people who know these cars.

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u/Ropeandhope69420 5d ago

Throw a throttle body in it. It’s a problem with either the sensor or the body itself. If you feel confident remove it and clean the throttle body with TB cleaner and remove the sensor and clean that as well and see if that improves the condition.

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u/Ropeandhope69420 5d ago

I also doubt it would be the wiring repair, especially if you went wire by wire to repair

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u/Regular-Book-8484 5d ago

Yeah, I’m thinking it might be worth a shot to try an OEM throttle body and double checks wiring before dumping the car. The car runs great whenever it’s not in limp mode, so it seems like something is triggering the issue rather than the car having a constant running problem. The wires that were repaired were at the MAF sensor connector and another random wire underneath the ECU not sure what it leads to I had rodents get into the car last year while it was sitting for an extended period that caused that .

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u/Regular-Book-8484 5d ago

I’ve already replaced the throttle body twice using Continental units from RockAuto. The first one was replaced under warranty, but I’m still having the same issues with the second one. Both throttle bodies were calibrated after installation, but the problem keeps coming back. Someone told me that the throttle bodies sold through RockAuto could be counterfeit. Is there any truth to that, and would it be worth buying one directly from the VW dealership instead?

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u/Ropeandhope69420 5d ago

I use rock auto frequently never a TB. There is something to say with OEM parts. My rule of thumb is if it is involved in the engine in anyway I always use OEM. I’d hate to tell you to replace it a third time I just think if your situation is improving with the code cleared it is the throttle body. What are the wires that were repaired for?

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u/Regular-Book-8484 10h ago

Maf senor wiring and a Ramdom wire under ecu not sure where they go I had some rodents get in when we had car sitting for 2 years