VW Virtus Power Loss + CEL at 73k: Scanner Tips Needed

Had similar issues with my VW Polo GTI (2020, gasoline). After poor third-party chip tuning, the car showed significant power loss and triggered multiple diagnostic codes. A scan tool revealed several ECU-related faults. The car needed complete ECU reset and reprogramming to factory settings. The check engine light persisted until proper diagnostic work was done. This was a serious issue that required specialized VW software and equipment to resolve. Getting your own basic scan tool is useful for initial diagnosis, but ECU-related problems often need professional equipment and expertise. Car computer issues tied to performance modifications can damage engine components if left unchecked. The symptoms match typical ECU programming problems, power loss during acceleration, erratic engine behavior, and stored fault codes. Would recommend having a certified technician perform a full car diagnostic scan rather than relying on basic code readers. My repair required dealer-level intervention since generic diagnostic tools couldnt fully access the car computer systems. The sooner you address ECU-related issues, the less risk of additional engine damage.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Those ECU problems can be tricky to diagnose. When my Virtus had similar symptoms, the fault codes pointed to fuel injection timing issues. The check engine light was definitely a wake-up call. Have you had any recurring engine issues since getting it fixed? Would be helpful to know how much the ECU reprogramming ended up costing you. In my case, I ended up investing in a basic scan tool for about 80€ which has already paid for itself by helping catch minor issues early.

After getting the faulty chip tuning fixed by a certified shop, my Polo GTI has been running perfectly with no recurring engine issues. The fault code that triggered the check engine light was completely resolved. The repair cost me 180€ to restore factory ECU settings and undo the third-party tuning damage. Your investment in a scan tool is smart for catching basic issues. However, when dealing with car computer problems and ECU programming, professional diagnostic equipment is essential. My experience showed that unauthorized modifications can lead to serious engine issues if not properly corrected. The dashboard light has stayed off since the repair, and power delivery is now smooth and consistent. Getting the work done by specialists who understand VW systems was worth every cent compared to risking further engine damage from improper tuning.

Thanks for the advice. After reading about your experiences, I finally took my Virtus to a certified VW specialist. The dashboard light actually helped pinpoint the issue quickly. The mechanic plugged in their professional scan tool and found multiple fault codes related to the fuel system. Turns out it needed a thorough fuel injection cleaning and ECU adjustment. The car diagnostic revealed some minor vacuum leaks too. Total repair came to 250€, more than expected but worth it. The car computer is now properly calibrated and the power loss issue is completely fixed. No more check engine light either. Learning from this, I bought a basic scan tool like you suggested. While it cant do everything the pro equipment does, it helps me check basic fault codes before heading to the shop. Much better than my previous mechanic who kept guessing what was wrong.