VW T5, fault code P0236, loss of power advice pls!

[pschorre2009]

Hi all,

I'm after some advice please.

I own the above vehicle, and a little while ago whilst driving home I noticed a distinct lack of power. I struggled to get to 30mph travelling up a modest hill. I got home, and the next time I used the vehicle the engine management light came on and the same symptom persisted - a huge loss of power.

I bought a little £15 bluetooth ODBII adapter and downloaded the app, which displayed the following code: P0236 Turbocharger Boost Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance.

So far, I have tried the following (I am no mechanic, all the things I've tried have been as a result of google searches and reading on forums):

- Cleaned the air filter

- Removed and cleaned the MAF sensor, and the housing.

- Checked the wires leading from the MAF sensor

- Removed and cleaned the EGR valve

- Removed and cleaned the boost pressure (MAP) sensor

- Sprayed a can of Wynns turbo cleaner through the air intake hose (immediately after the MAF sensor)

- Sprayed a can of Wynns EGR cleaner through the air intake hose, as above.

- Checked the air hoses that I can see / get to easily. I'm convinced I can hear a hissing sound when standing over the engine with it running, but it could be anything.

It may sound strange, but the van 'feels' like it's performance has improved slightly, but unfortunately the symptom persists. I've used the OBD to reset the fault code at several steps above, but at no point has the power returned. I've driven the van a few miles after some of the steps, but I struggle to get it above 3000rpm, above 40-50 on the level, or 20-30 uphill.

Each time the engine light has come back on, the OBD code is the same, P0236.

My thoughts so far are to replace the MAF and / or MAP sensors, somehow check the pipes for leaks (smoke machine? Vape?), and bottom of the list is to take it to the garage.

It's an old van and has swallowed £1,000s over the years, and I'm trying to keep the cost of this as low as possible. So far I've spent about £20 on the cans of Wynns stuff.

Does anybody have any advice or suggestions?

Thanks in advance.