Best OBD2,OBD China
OBD Suppliers

What does this mean (P1296) 5-Volt VREF Supply Not Present?

I have 2002 Volkswagen Jetta, my Check Engine light came up, so I went and bought OBD II scan tool. The tool gave me this code P1296… I went online and looked it up and apparently means 5-Volt VREF Supply Not Present, but I have no idea of what that would be.
Can someone help figure out this, I’m running low…
show more
I have 2002 Volkswagen Jetta, my Check Engine light came up, so I went and bought OBD II scan tool. The tool gave me this code P1296… I went online and looked it up and apparently means 5-Volt VREF Supply Not Present, but I have no idea of what that would be.
Can someone help figure out this, I’m running low on cash, and would like to take my car to the mechanic to get this problem fixed, but I don’t want them to rip me off either.
Thank you very much!

Answer:
Most of the replies on my iATN tech line states this is a code for a cooling system malfunction. from what I’ve been able to understand, the cooling system is not reaching operating temperature. There is also reference to replacing the ECT sensor for the ECU. I’d put a thermostat in (factory thermostat) and also replace the ECT sensor. Note there are 2 temperature sensors, one for the gauge which is not the correct one, and the sensor for the ECU which is what you do want to replace. It will have 2 or more terminals on it’s connecting plug. Take the Vin# with you when buying parts from a dealer!
Did not see anything related to 5 volt reference signals. When testing for the 5 volt signal which most sensors run at, you disconnect all the sensors, make sure there is a 5 volt reference signal at the harness connector and plug the sensors back in one at a time while testing for the 5 volts. When you plug the bad sensor in the 5 volt reference signal goes away. I’d work on the cooling system stuff I mentioned.

You may have a bad coolant temperature sensor. A P1296 indicates that there is a problem with engine temperature, but if you have a P1296 code and no problem with engine temperature then the sensor is probably bad.

Vref Online

the bad thing is that the reference voltage comes form the computer, lacking that signal is a failure in that cpu.

not present, it aint there.