VW Touareg Engine Light + Power Loss: Timing Chain Alert

I had nearly identical issues with my 2015 VW Tiguan 2.0 TSI last winter. With some experience working on VWs, I recognized the symptoms immediately, flashing check engine light, poor performance, and high fuel consumption often point to timing-related problems. In my case, the crank sensor was failing intermittently, causing the engine to misfire and run poorly. The ECU was getting incorrect timing signals, which explains the performance issues. After scanning, my workshop confirmed the crankshaft position sensor was defective and needed replacement. The repair took about 2 hours and cost 340€ including parts and labor. Since the fix, the car has run perfectly with no timing issues or engine light warnings. Before suggesting specific solutions for your Touareg, could you provide: Current mileage, Any unusual sounds from the engine, Whether the issues happen more during cold starts, Scan tool error codes if you have them This information would help determine if your symptoms match the crank sensor failure I experienced. There could also be related issues with the cam sensor or timing chain that need checking, especially at higher mileages.

Thanks for the detailed reply. My current mileage is 115310km and last service was just 2 months ago. After your description, I notice the engine misfires are definitely worse during cold starts. The engine light started flashing more frequently in the mornings. No unusual sounds yet, but the engine synchronization seems off based on how it runs. The scan shows P0016 and P0017 codes which indeed point to timing problems like you mentioned. Given the similar symptoms to your crank sensor issue, I will have both the crank sensor and cam sensor checked. Hopefully it is just a sensor problem and not a more serious timing chain issue.

Thanks for providing those details. The symptoms and codes you describe match my crank sensor failure experience almost exactly. The P0016/P0017 codes specifically relate to crankshaft-camshaft timing correlation, which was the root cause of my issues. The cold start misfires are a classic sign of a failing crank sensor. When the sensor gets cold, it often becomes more erratic, causing the engine light to flash and timing to be off until things warm up. My repair invoice shows the crank sensor itself cost 180€, plus labor. If your mechanic finds the same issue, expect similar costs. They should also check the cam sensor and timing belt components while they are at it, since you are at 115k km. Quick tip from my experience: If possible, have them check the sensor wiring harness too. Sometimes the wiring can be damaged, causing similar symptoms. In my case, the connector had some corrosion that needed cleaning. The good news is that if it is just a sensor issue like mine was, its a relatively straightforward fix that will resolve all those symptoms, the poor fuel economy, reduced power, and engine light warnings.

Thanks for the helpful responses. After getting your input, I feel much better prepared for the workshop visit. The similarities to your crank sensor experience are striking, especially the cold start issues and timing-related error codes. I have scheduled an appointment for next week and specifically requested they inspect both the crankshaft and cam sensors, along with the wiring harness. The estimated cost of 350€ seems reasonable based on what you shared. Will post an update once I get the car back and let you know if it was indeed the same sensor issue or something else with the timing chain. Really hoping for the simpler fix, as timing chain repairs can get quite expensive. Thanks again for helping me understand what to look out for and what questions to ask at the workshop. It makes a big difference going in with some knowledge about the potential problems.