23 MIL on, rough running, no start (DTCs P0087, P0088, and/or P0191) (TDI only)
23 17 40 2036668/4 March 29, 2017. Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 23 number 15-35 dated June
30, 2015 for reasons listed below.
Model(s)

Year

VIN Range

Vehicle-Specific Equipment

A3

2013, 2015

All

TDI clean diesel

A6

2014, 2016

All

TDI clean diesel

A7

2014 - 2016

All

TDI clean diesel

A8

2013, 2016

All

TDI clean diesel

Q5

2014 - 2017

All

TDI clean diesel

Q7

2013 - 2015

All

TDI clean diesel

Condition
REVISION HISTORY
Revision

Date

Purpose

4

-

Revised header data (Added model years 2014 - 2016 and models A6,
A7, Q5)

3

06/30/2015

Revised header data (Removed model years 2009 - 2012; added model
years 2015 - 2016)
Revised title (Updated service number)

2

03/20/2014

Revised title
Revised Technical Background (Updated information)
Revised Service (Updated Tip at end of section)

 MIL on.
 No start or rough running.
One or more of the following DTCs is stored in the engine control module, J623 (address word 0001):
 DTC P0087 (Fuel Rail/System Pressure - Too Low)
 DTC P0088 (Fuel Rail/System Pressure - Too High)

Page 1 of 6
© 2017 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of Audi of
America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the
publisher.

 DTC P0191 (Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor "A" Circuit Range/Performance)

Technical Background
When diagnosing a MIL on, no-start, or rough running concern on a common rail diesel vehicle, and no root cause
is found after checking all other components and following all GFF diagnostic procedures, it may be necessary to
check for metallic particles in the High Pressure Fuel Pump.

Production Solution
No production change required.

Service
Note:
Removing the N290 fuel metering valve to inspect for metallic particles should only be considered as a last step
after all GFF diagnostic procedures have been performed, including testing supply volume to the high pressure
fuel pump (low pressure side) and checking for internal leakage from the injectors and N276 pressure regulating
valve.
Note:
Before the N290 fuel metering valve is removed,
the area surrounding the valve (Figure 1) must
be sprayed with a cleaner and dried with
compressed air to ensure that all debris is
removed from the area.
Fuel system components may be damaged if
any debris enters the fuel system.

Figure 1. Area surrounding the valve.

Page 2 of 6
© 2017 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of Audi of
America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the
publisher.

1. Remove the N290 fuel metering valve and
inspect the valve and valve bore for the
presence of metallic particles (Figure 2).
Proceed with the appropriate section below.

Figure 2. Fuel metering valve and valve bore with
metallic particles (A), and without metallic particles
(B).
If metallic particles are found on the N290 fuel metering valve or in the valve bore:
1. Contact the Audi Technical Assistance
Center (TAC) and open a TAC ticket before
continuing with the repair. Before contacting
TAC, attach the following to the TAC ticket:
 GFF diagnostic log
 Clear pictures showing the metallic
particles in the N290 fuel metering valve
and bore (Figure 3 and Figure 4).

Figure 3. Example of a clear picture showing the
metallic particles in the N290 fuel metering valve.

Page 3 of 6
© 2017 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of Audi of
America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the
publisher.

Figure 4. Example of a clear picture showing the
metallic particles in the valve bore.
Note:
If a fuel system replacement is necessary, ensure that the fuel injector return line is properly seated
and sealed once installed. Inspect for seepage at the fuel injector return line connector after the test
drive. If seepage is found, the condition must be corrected.
Tip: Be sure to include the 7-digit technical service bulletin number in the repair order comments.
If metallic particles are not found on the N290 fuel metering valve or in the valve bore:
1. Do NOT replace the high pressure fuel pump.

Page 4 of 6
© 2017 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of Audi of
America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the
publisher.

Note:
To prevent fuel system damage, ensure that
the N290 fuel metering valve is free of
contaminants before reinstalling.
Additionally, ensure that neither O-ring
(Figure 5) is damaged. If either O-ring is
damaged, replace the high fuel pressure
pump.
To prevent damaging the O-rings when
reinstalling the N290 fuel metering valve,
lubricate them with diesel fuel.

Figure 5. N290 fuel metering valve O-rings.
2. Use light pressure to reinstall the N290 fuel metering valve into the valve bore.
3. Install and hand tighten both M5 fasteners, ensuring that the threads are clean and dry. Pre-tighten
to 2 Nm, then to 6.5 – 7 Nm.
4. Use a paint marker or equivalent to mark the
top of the N290 fuel metering valve with a
white dot (Figure 6).

Figure 6. White dot on N290 fuel metering valve.
4. Continue with diagnosis.

Page 5 of 6
© 2017 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of Audi of
America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the
publisher.

Tip: Be sure to include the 7-digit technical service bulletin number in the repair order comments.
All TDI clean diesel high pressure fuel pumps that have been replaced in conjunction with this Technical
Service Bulletin will be requested for return. These replacement parts will be reviewed to verify the
presence of metallic particles on the N290 metering valve and within the bore to ensure that the
submitted part matches the information submitted with the ATA.

Warranty
This bulletin is informational only, and is not applicable to any Audi Warranty.

Additional Information
All parts and service references provided in this TSB (2036668) are subject to change and/or removal. Always
check with your Parts Department and service manuals for the latest information.
©2017 Audi of America, Inc. All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest
information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any
time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in
any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Page 6 of 6
© 2017 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of Audi of
America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the
publisher.