Weird speedo and power issues

[Ian_99]

Hi all!

I'm not very familiar with car mechanics so figured it's best to ask for some advice with some issues I've been having for a while now with a 1.6 HDi M59 Berlingo.

In short, very often the speedo goes to 0, combined with a very noticeable loss of power to the point it's struggling to get up a hill, when the speedo comes back alive while (trying to) accelerate it feels like the engine recieves a boost, confirming it had lost engine power.
I read some posts and they mostly point to the EGR valve being defective, could this be accurate? I have a Lexia tool to scan for errors (originally bought to program a new key, was cheaper than the dealer...) and I found a handful of errors, including some mentioning the EGR valve. I attached them to this post.

Is it doable to remove the EGR valve for inspection? I don't want to accidentally ruin my van

[RJBingham]

Has it got ABS?

[Ian_99]

Has it got ABS?

Hi, I'm very sure it doesn't. Never seen the ABS lamp light up. But neither have I seen the glowplug lamp now that I think about it...

Edit: apparently the glow plugs don't come on until the coolant is below 0. We barely had winter so makes sense!

[RJBingham]

Has it got ABS?

Hi, I'm very sure it doesn't. Never seen the ABS lamp light up. But neither have I seen the glowplug lamp now that I think about it...

Edit: apparently the glow plugs don't come on until the coolant is below 0. We barely had winter so makes sense!

I had exactly the same problem, if you have ABS the speedo takes it's reading from a wheel sensor, but I don't have it, so the speed reading comes from a sensor in the gearbox, I changed the sensor, and it fixed the problem, quite common on non ABS vehicles apparently. it didn't show any codes, so it could be your EGR code is a separate issue.

[Ian_99]

I had exactly the same problem, if you have ABS the speedo takes it's reading from a wheel sensor, but I don't have it, so the speed reading comes from a sensor in the gearbox, I changed the sensor, and it fixed the problem, quite common on non ABS vehicles apparently. it didn't show any codes, so it could be your EGR code is a separate issue.

Thanks, I'll try to have a look at it, I don't have any proper jacking up equipment so I'll see if I can check on it safely. Or could it be ruled out by measuring? I might go for a drive while someone monitors the parameters with lexia.
Could a defective speed sensor explain the lower engine power?

[RJBingham]

I had exactly the same problem, if you have ABS the speedo takes it's reading from a wheel sensor, but I don't have it, so the speed reading comes from a sensor in the gearbox, I changed the sensor, and it fixed the problem, quite common on non ABS vehicles apparently. it didn't show any codes, so it could be your EGR code is a separate issue.

Thanks, I'll try to have a look at it, I don't have any proper jacking up equipment so I'll see if I can check on it safely. Or could it be ruled out by measuring? I might go for a drive while someone monitors the parameters with lexia.
Could a defective speed sensor explain the lower engine power?

That's how it was with mine, speedo not working, low engine power, then as the speedometer started working, the power came back in, with a very noticeable push.

[Ian_99]

That's how it was with mine, speedo not working, low engine power, then as the speedometer started working, the power came back in, with a very noticeable push.

Thanks for the info, it sounds like some really odd behaviour to me... Nonetheless I did some measurements while taking it for a drive and I put the results as an attachment here if anyone wants to give some feedback.
 
It looks obvious there's an issue with the speed sensor as it's not registering anything on the graphs either.
As for the EGR valve, am I correct in thinking the "EGR valve position copy opening control" is the feedback received and should be roughly the same as "EGR valve opening control"?

[Sparky_UK]

DId you solve this issue ? I have the same problem

[geoff]

The EGR valve on the M59 1.6 Hdi is straight forward to remove, you just have to lean over towards the back of the engine after removing the fuel filter for better access. Sort of fiddly but not too bad, having done it once it will be childs play the second time Lol !!

The valve also dismantles easily for inspection and cleaning.

[Ian_99]

Thanks all for the replies, I've been inactive while gathering some parts (new EGR and speed sensor)
The EGR was alright to replace, just very fiddly to install the new one.
But the speed sensor... I'm kinda stuck, I can't seem to remove the cable that connects to it, it looks impossible because there's so little space, you can see it yourself on the attached picture.
I hope i don't have to remove the entire gear box for this...
@RJBingham how did you manage to remove it?