Help with P2006/2007 on 2017 Q5 3.0T

[Kantaffordit]

Had the engine light pop on while driving, plugged the VAG-COM in when I got home and found P2006/2007 faults, IMRC flaps stuck closed, bank 1/2. Cleared them and they came back. Have not noticed any difference in day to day driving since the codes were observed. And I haven't done anything to the car lately that could have caused this - no service, taking off the SC, etc.

I got a vacuum pump tool to see if it was an issue with the vacuum lines running from the solenoid to the actuators. They hold vacuum, and things seem to be working when vacuum is applied - I see a voltage in VCDS when I go the Engine module, Adv. Meas Values, on both banks (sorry I took a screenshot of that but lost it so I'm going off of memory here). So this suggests the vacuum lines are fine, the actuators work, and the sensors are sending back a signal that the flaps are moving.

I logged those same values in the Engine/Adv Meas Values screen during a ~4 mile drive around the neighborhood - never saw any changes. So, I think the flaps aren't moving at all.

I'm thinking the vacuum solenoid (vacuum regulator?) is bad. Of course, it could be a wiring issue too, or an issue with the module sending the signal to the solenoid. A new solenoid is about $125, so not terrible, but I'd like to go one step further to make sure there is a signal getting to the valve and confirm it is bad, before replacing that part. I have a multimeter and basic electrical knowledge, but not sure how to proceed from here. Can I force a voltage to the solenoid/regulator and then check for the proper voltage at the connector? I'd need help figuring out the pinout for that connector.

Any tips on this appreciated. Thanks!

[Kantaffordit]

I went ahead and checked the voltage at the solenoid connector with the car running and saw a voltage, so I replaced the vacuum regulator. Still getting p2006/p2007. Ran the IMRC output test in VCDS and I hear it clicking , so probably no issue with the valve or wiring.

I checked the vacuum level coming into the solenoid and it's about .27 bar, I read online it should be at least .5 bar. Also I found with the hand pump I needed closer to .5 bar to fully actuate the flaps.

So now I think I'm chasing the cause of low vacuum at the IMRC solenoid. This is new territory for me so any tips on tracking this down are appreciated. All the vac lines I've seen look pretty good. There is a bit of a hissing sound in the engine bay when the car is running but it sounds pretty normal to me.

[Kantaffordit]

Progress - I was able to find the source of the leak. I don't know what this component is yet - probably a solenoid valve - but it looks like it is supposed to be mounted right under the vacuum pump (driver's side of engine). Attached to an electrical connector and two vacuum lines. Looks like the mounting bracket broke and allowed one of the lines to rub on the belt. I'm guessing this is the output side of the valve, and the valve is only open when the engine is warm, because I only heard the leak after allowing the engine to warm up. This maybe also explains why the P2006/2007 code would take a while to come back after being cleared - the low vacuum supply to the IMRC solenoid was only happening after the engine warmed up.





Next I'm thinking I'll tape up the elbow to seal the leak and rig up something to keep it away from the belt. Then try to figure out how to access this area to identify the broken bracket and get in there to replace it. If anyone knows the details of the valve/bracket I'm looking at here, or where to source a replacement for this damaged elbow, I appreciate the help.

[biturbos44]

Progress - I was able to find the source of the leak. I don't know what this component is yet - probably a solenoid valve - but it looks like it is supposed to be mounted right under the vacuum pump (driver's side of engine). Attached to an electrical connector and two vacuum lines. Looks like the mounting bracket broke and allowed one of the lines to rub on the belt. I'm guessing this is the output side of the valve, and the valve is only open when the engine is warm, because I only heard the leak after allowing the engine to warm up. This maybe also explains why the P2006/2007 code would take a while to come back after being cleared - the low vacuum supply to the IMRC solenoid was only happening after the engine warmed up.





Next I'm thinking I'll tape up the elbow to seal the leak and rig up something to keep it away from the belt. Then try to figure out how to access this area to identify the broken bracket and get in there to replace it. If anyone knows the details of the valve/bracket I'm looking at here, or where to source a replacement for this damaged elbow, I appreciate the help.

Did that end up fixing the issue? I am chasing down these codes as well. My flaps work under vacuum correctly but still get the codes after days and sometimes weeks after clearing.