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Author	Topic: Check Engine Light
Raven Junior Member	posted 01-24-2002 07:41 PM Well I just got a 1999 Beetle form a local dealer and the check engine light loves to come on. The car has 49k on it and everything else on the car works great!! except the beshatted Check engine light. They have had it in the shop checked the codes replaced the Mass Air Flow sensor...then when the light came on again they replaced the wiring harness. Something about a crimping error whatever the hell that is. Told me that should do the trick your good to go. Not more than a week after I got the car back...OHH whats this the light is on again!!! Good thing I dont have to pay for any of these repairs the car dealer is picking up the bill seeing how it was under warranty when the issue of the "Check engine light" came up. Here is my question WHAT IS IT!!! has anyone else had this problem!?? and if so please fill me in....... IP: Logged
vlade31 Member	posted 01-25-2002 05:23 PM hey raven i am sorry to hear that u just bought A VW...if u dont know what i am talking about then u will find out in a few months...i gotta 98 jetta the engine check light is always on i gave up on trying to find the solution..my friends got 99 Newbeetle and his light comes on all the time..sometimes its the mass airflow sometimes its this sensor or that sensor...by the way i am trying to sell my car...good luck!! IP: Logged
Raven Junior Member	posted 01-25-2002 06:18 PM Thanks for the information. As it si right now the car is under warranty so the dealer is paying all the cost for the repairs!!.....this will be the thrid time in the shop for this car which I bought november 20th 2001. IF they cant fix it Im gonna demand a new car of equal price from there lot or something better!! heh...THis is crazy...cant they build a car that works!!// damn VW humps!!!! quote: Originally posted by vlade31: hey raven i am sorry to hear that u just bought A VW...if u dont know what i am talking about then u will find out in a few months...i gotta 98 jetta the engine check light is always on i gave up on trying to find the solution..my friends got 99 Newbeetle and his light comes on all the time..sometimes its the mass airflow sometimes its this sensor or that sensor...by the way i am trying to sell my car...good luck!! IP: Logged
vlade31 Member	posted 02-12-2002 09:48 AM hey raven do yourself a favor and just sell the car...i mean it just isnt worth the hassle...the longer u wait..the more the car's value is going to depreciate..these cars have serious electrical issues..and thats just the beginning but i guess i dont have to tell U that...good luck IP: Logged
fast mayte Member	posted 02-18-2002 12:39 AM yea vlade isrefering to my bug and it sux soo bad, i'm getting 200 mpg city..going up to 3k...like 250 frewway with cruise at 75mph , i jsut had it in for the O2 sensor recall. i get it back with a bad maf that was put ina week ago. i'm not paying more than a dime more on that POS. desolder the CEL light is my next mod!!! then again, my next mod would be TRADING THAT SUCKER IN FOR A HONDA!!! [This message has been edited by fast mayte (edited 02-18-2002).] IP: Logged
jfvdpol Junior Member	posted 07-14-2002 04:55 AM Take your car to you dealer. It has most likely been involved in a recall, and needs the ECM reprogrammed and the oxygensensors replaced. quote: Originally posted by Raven: Well I just got a 1999 Beetle form a local dealer and the check engine light loves to come on. The car has 49k on it and everything else on the car works great!! except the beshatted Check engine light. They have had it in the shop checked the codes replaced the Mass Air Flow sensor...then when the light came on again they replaced the wiring harness. Something about a crimping error whatever the hell that is. Told me that should do the trick your good to go. Not more than a week after I got the car back...OHH whats this the light is on again!!! Good thing I dont have to pay for any of these repairs the car dealer is picking up the bill seeing how it was under warranty when the issue of the "Check engine light" came up. Here is my question WHAT IS IT!!! has anyone else had this problem!?? and if so please fill me in....... IP: Logged
racerjay Member	posted 08-27-2002 07:30 AM Have you had the WA recall done yet? Make sure your gas cap is on tight...dont overlook the obvious. Airflow meters, yessss. they are now 49.00 dollars retail at the dealer, dont let them bilk you. yours is a '99, I think we were braiding the oxs loom for a while, ask the dealer to check for this. then the reprogramming or replacement of the engine control module. The real problem is a software deficiency in the engine module. Peace, hope this helps. IP: Logged
workinmom Junior Member	posted 10-19-2002 10:03 PM quote: Originally posted by racerjay: Have you had the WA recall done yet? Make sure your gas cap is on tight...dont overlook the obvious. Airflow meters, yessss. they are now 49.00 dollars retail at the dealer, dont let them bilk you. yours is a '99, I think we were braiding the oxs loom for a while, ask the dealer to check for this. then the reprogramming or replacement of the engine control module. The real problem is a software deficiency in the engine module. Peace, hope this helps. me too, before that it was the oil light, before that the window opener fell off, by "underpan" cover is falling off, one day the doors wouldn't unlock with the remote, next day they did, it shifts like it has transmission problems, the air conditioner is next to worthless on a 85 degree day, I am so disappointed in this car IP: Logged
JettaDoorOoze Member	posted 11-20-2002 12:01 PM The problem isn't just with Beetles. Us Jetta owners feel your pain! http://www.myvwlemon.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000417.html IP: Logged
bibelotts Junior Member	posted 11-26-2002 03:59 PM A little piece of black electrical tape over the display does the trick. IP: Logged
JettaDoorOoze Member	posted 12-03-2002 09:47 PM So does a stick of dynamite. IP: Logged
Raven Junior Member	posted 12-31-2002 07:56 AM Hello again, Well a few days after my last post I had the connector to the MAFS replaced. It was a 2.80 cent part; since then it seems my Check Engine Light does not wish to come on anymore. I now have about 70k miles on my car and so far it seems to be working well. I did have to have the pass power window fixed blah. Ohhh and the trunk lock broke dont use the key very bad very bad heh. One cool thing I found out thow the car loves to be in two feet of snow hehe now thats some fun driving!! [This message has been edited by Raven (edited 12-31-2002).] IP: Logged
garethusa Member	posted 12-31-2002 04:17 PM thanks raven for the follow up. i was thinking about you and how you were with your bettle. wow, u put 20K on for the year? overall, did the car run okay for you this year? can you provide other prospective bettle owners and pros and cons for this vehicle here? as i understand, you have a used bettle that had 49K when you bought it. how is the maintanence, the mileage so far, other mechanical or cosmetic breakdowns, and any outstanding things about ur car that you can possibly think of. i am happy that you didn't ditch the bettle even though at one point you may have felt it. IP: Logged
DreamBrokenTDI99NB Junior Member	posted 02-03-2003 12:04 PM can you provide other prospective bettle owners and pros and cons for this vehicle here? other mechanical or cosmetic breakdowns, .... -------------------------------------------- Ill share mine!! 1. The overhead compartement fell on me while driving...... 2. The Driver side door lock flew out of the door when i closed the door one day (this was the 2 week old incident). 3. Glove compartement has also just broke...and i don't even use it....was just in there to look and see if hubby put something in there.... 4. Window just gave out on me and would not go up with out pushing help.... 5. Trunk would not open... 6. Auto opener would not work..... 7. Floor mats all fell apart....plastic snap ons.......(crap) 8. Parking bread nob just popped off on me the other week.... 9. tape deck did not work properly...had to be replaced.... 10. car cutting out on me..... 11. Squeeky clutch..... 12. Window up/down switch....popped off on me 13. Eats oil...... 14. mirrors do not defog.... 15. a/c .....what A/C?!! 16. cannot remember all right now (doing by memory)...but ya all get the idea...... Boy i wish i could love my car and have it love me too!>?!! [This message has been edited by DreamBrokenTDI99NB (edited 02-03-2003).] [This message has been edited by DreamBrokenTDI99NB (edited 02-03-2003).] IP: Logged
Mark Smith Junior Member	posted 04-16-2003 06:35 PM Raven, Sounds real familiar...Check my posting (Mark Smith) VW had to borrow a real mechanic from a Porsch Dealer to fix my problem. Took all of 10 minutes. Those Stumble-butts had 18 months and couldn't find it. "Technicians" they call themselves! It seems that Siemens was the contractor that furnished the wiring for the VW NB from 1998 to sometime in late 2000 or early 2001. They had terrible quality control problems with Siemens, and eventially pulled their contract (too late for me and you, though) The Service Manager at Lithia VW, Concord, Ca. told this to me. IP: Logged
drgnfly9 Junior Member	posted 08-13-2003 10:33 AM quote: Originally posted by Raven: Well I just got a 1999 Beetle form a local dealer and the check engine light loves to come on. The car has 49k on it and everything else on the car works great!! except the beshatted Check engine light. They have had it in the shop checked the codes replaced the Mass Air Flow sensor...then when the light came on again they replaced the wiring harness. Something about a crimping error whatever the hell that is. Told me that should do the trick your good to go. Not more than a week after I got the car back...OHH whats this the light is on again!!! Good thing I dont have to pay for any of these repairs the car dealer is picking up the bill seeing how it was under warranty when the issue of the "Check engine light" came up. Here is my question WHAT IS IT!!! has anyone else had this problem!?? and if so please fill me in....... I am having the same problem. I hopped on the internet to do some research, because I knew I couldn't be the only one dealing with '99 NB problems. I took my NB in to a dealership to fix the "check engine light" and to do inspection/emission testing. Two weeks later I am calling them for a 3rd time b/c of the damn check engine light. after reading this site, I am tempted to cancel my scheduled visit and instead trade my Beetle in for a different car. I bought the car used in 2001 w/ 24K miles. I'm now at the 65K mark. In two years, I've replaced the battery, air mass sensor, o2 sensor, had the overhead compartment fall off. Not to mention a really annoying feature of this car.......you cannot fit drinks into the cup holders, who engineered that? IP: Logged
VWLevi Junior Member	posted 08-15-2003 07:06 PM hey dave ...i have an 01 1.8T....i bought used recently....warranty has ran out...and i have been having the o2 sensor prob..matter o fact i replaced the upper o2 sensor after i had auto zone hook the computer up to my car to find out why the check engine light was staying on...well it came back that it was the upper o2 sensor...ok ...so i replaced it...got it reset..no more check engine light....well the 2nd day after replacing it....the light came back on......the o2 sensor cost me 156 bucks...man!..i cant keep spending that uch money...whats the deal bro...what do i need to do? IP: Logged
anewsadowner Junior Member	posted 08-17-2003 12:31 PM I bought a '99 bug a month a go, a week after a got it, the lock of the driver's door felt and I lost it, the same day the famous light came on. Because the car was under warranty the dealership had to fix it. Two weeks after that, the car just died, the battery was complete dead; with the help of a friend the car started, while I was driving to the dealership to get the car fix, the brakes light came on. Miracleously, after the battery was replaced the light desappeared. Finally, last sunday, the engine light was on again, ahhh of course I still have a hole on my door because of the lost lock, and my warranty expired. After I argued with the dealership, they told me that the light is a common problem now, and that many owners just disconnect it. However, my car is going to be check tomorrow, they have my lock...finally after a month!!!. I read that if they replace the connector to the MAFS the engine light might go away. Do you have any other ideas? PS Pardon my English, this is not my first language. IP: Logged
Bug Squisher Junior Member	posted 08-20-2003 04:13 PM We just got our 99 Beetle back from the dealer. We're trying to sell it but the check engine light came on. Turns out it was the O2 sensor, and fortunately there's a recall on it. The sensor has been redesigned, so maybe it'll last longer. *HOWEVER* I found out that the mechanics hook up to the on-board diagnostic (OBD) _THROUGH_ the factory installed radio. They charged me $99 since I put in a "non-standard" CD-player. So if you've replaced your radio, be prepared to pay extra. IMO, this is one of the stupidest design flaws I've ever heard of... They also tried to get me to pay $350 for replacing the rear brake pads. I found a set of pads for $35. Should have 'em in a couple hours... IP: Logged
stevegarfield Junior Member	posted 08-22-2003 11:09 AM Here are the codes they saw: DIAGNOSIS with VAG 5052 Traced 4 Missfire Faults 17663 P1255 035, 17536 P1128 035, 16684 P0300 035, 1667 P0303 035 Per Vesis They removed and replaced engine coolant temp sensor. 059-919-501-A Sensor $7.47 With labor the total charge came to $210.92 The NEXT DAY the CHECK ENGINE LIGHT came back on. Based on the codes I've supplied, did they misdiagnose the problem? The car goes back in on Monday and they said they won't charge the diagnostic fee again but will charge for fixing whatever is wrong. A local VW mechanic that is trustworthy asked if they had replaced the air flow meter. He suggests I give the dealer a chance to make things right. Help. Thanks, --Steve IP: Logged
fuming Member	posted 08-22-2003 08:45 PM Stevegarfield, I have a 2000 Jetta VR6 and have endless "check engine light" problem ;first came on juzt over 1000 km from brand new . My car is no longer covered by warranty and the check engine came on twice last month. I took it into dealership and codes extracted is exactly the same as the ones that showed up during warranty. I asked the VW service manager why should the same code show up again and again when the problem should have been "fixed" (???) during the warranty. Being ever so resourceful , the manager claimed the warranty for check engine lght means VW WILL REPLACE your light bulb FREE OF CHARGE during the warranty !! Thus, one might be hoping against hope and dreaming against dream ragarding VW's ability to fix problem [This message has been edited by fuming (edited 08-23-2003).] IP: Logged
stevegarfield Junior Member	posted 08-25-2003 09:17 PM I just picked up my Beetle. The time the error code was 17536 P1128 035. Hmm. Looks familiar. Hey, It's the same error code as last week! This time they replaced the Mass Air Flow Sensor. That's what my local mechanic said is usually the problem. My mileage IN was 24733 and mileage OUT was 24733. Not the 6 mile road test that I had asked for based on reading messages on this board! IP: Logged
Raven Junior Member	posted 08-25-2003 11:16 PM I had three Mass Air Flow sensors put in my Beetle!!! And each time I got the check engine light back on in about three to five days. The biggest issue with these cars is people do not care or don�t have the proper education on how to repair them. Come to find out my Mass Air Flow sensor was never the issue it was the connector which hooked the Mass Air Flow sensor into the computer. It's a 2.80 cent part have your tech check that and replace it. I hope that works for you as it did for me. Also I am lucky to have an authorized Audi and VW shop only about 45 minutes away from my home and that is the only place I take my car. Its privately owned and they really know what they are doing. IP: Logged
JPuddybuc Junior Member	posted 08-28-2003 02:28 AM I have a 99 Jetta VR6; 130,000 miles on it. The "check engine" light has been on for the past 70K. This year I had to smog it to get my '03 tags. So far I am in $400, and it failed again today ($50)because the light popped on 15 minutes after I cleared it. It doesnt emit any smog, but the "fuel air mixture is lean", and so it cannot be registered. The window fell into the door at 30K, the headliner is falling down in back, the water pump crapped out at 85K, the belt tensioner caught fire at 61K, and the battery went kaput 1 day out of warranty. It also shifts like its full of marbles. The glove box handle snapped off, the center console broke in 2 places and the trunk light has an attitude problem. Fortunately VW has a 10 year-100K warranty that covers nothing. I've replaced 1/2 the damn emission system but it still doesnt pass. Thanks to all of you who clued me in on the MAF issue. P.S. Get ready to get screwed on brake jobs, and pray your jetta is a "Brazillian" and not a "Mexican" model. IP: Logged
stevegarfield Junior Member	posted 08-28-2003 09:16 AM Since we're all sharing, here's my service history. I thought it was strange that my brakes had to be replaced to soon, then I had questions about the battery, and now it's the check engine light. 21,035 Replaced Drivers Side Window Switch Replaced Rear Brakes Pads and Rotors Replaced Fuel Pump Relay 23,464 New Battery 8/18/03 24,514 Replaced Engine Coolant Temp Sensor $218.56 8/25/03 24,733 Replaced Mass Air Flow Sensor $158.55 IP: Logged
fuming Member	posted 08-28-2003 08:22 PM The "check engine" light has been on for the past 70K. According to my VW dealership, "it is normal for the check engine lght to come on every 40,000km." Your experience certainly disproved his moronic allegation IP: Logged
Deborah606 Junior Member	posted 09-02-2003 07:03 AM Hi Raven.. My 2000 NB has 25K miles on it, "check engiine" light hell began at 24300 miles. I swear, I adjusted the battery cover, the light went off, then came back on again. Took it to the Beetle Bozos, they said the valve which opens the fuel flow to the turbo was intermitantly sticking; they replaced the solenoid. I drove 70 miles and bingo, Mr. "Check Engine" light is right back on. I called the dealer right away, made another appointment. This time I'll take with me several printed emails from this site; maybe I'll get some action. My Beetle drives great, I too have had the window closing mech. break, this was repaired for free. The gas cover mechanism also broke at 6000 miles, I had that replaced, cost 100. Other than that, my bug rocks, stll pleased with the car. Did you ever get your problem solved ? Best Deb Colony IP: Logged
LemonTech Member	posted 09-25-2003 09:43 PM im laughing my ass off. this is some funny ass shit. soooooooooo why did you all buy a VW again. IP: Logged
Up-The-River Member	posted 09-26-2003 07:38 AM quote: im laughing my ass off. this is some funny ass shit. soooooooooo why did you all buy a VW again. What point are you trying to make? IP: Logged
LemonTech Member	posted 09-29-2003 01:34 PM quote: Originally posted by Up-The-River: What point are you trying to make? the point im making is its funny. dont you have someone to feed a line of shit to. yadaman IP: Logged
lhutton Junior Member	posted 11-10-2003 05:33 PM The reason we buy the VW is style and drivability. People wave and smile when I zip by in my bubble mobile. Yes it is a bit foolish to get tied up with eye candy. I still love driving it. Repairs: Brakes, 3 weeks after buying a '99 w/ 12,500mi Rubberized interior coating (black) started peeling off a few weeks later Silver finish on steering wheel rubbed off Power Window bars & switches center console latch stick shift cover And my check engine light just came on. I am disconnecting the damn light and getting a MINI. I will never get a VW again but I have enjoyed owning it. Thanks to every one for all the great info, it is good to know I am not the only sucker! IP: Logged
RbgerB Member	posted 11-10-2003 05:55 PM It's not a check engine light, It's a check your wallet light. I think VW has it programed to come on just a few days after the warranty runs out. IP: Logged
TIDDYBEAR Junior Member	posted 11-28-2003 05:31 PM On my POS Beetle they replaced the front oxygen sensor to fix the check engine problem. That was in August and it seems to have worked. Their part # is: 06A-906-262-Q 02 sensor I wish everybody luck!! Jan James IP: Logged
nibblescars Junior Member	posted 01-26-2004 07:56 AM Where do you guys get Air Flow Sensors for $50.00. In the UK VW want �270.00 IP: Logged
gsxrrdr Junior Member	posted 03-16-2004 03:44 PM OH,I feel 4 us all.My 2001 GTI check engine light has been on and keeps coming on.Yep changed that changed this,no luck.Replaced all O2 sensors,CatCon,MAFS, reprogramed ECU etc.Replaced all of that while it was still under warrenty,soon as that ran out VW washed there hands of the whole thing. Oh yeah, my window came off of the track,coil went bad,dash lights quit working.But at least I still have my Acura RSX(45000m and not one problem) Thanks for letting me vent IP: Logged
LK Junior Member	posted 07-03-2004 07:45 PM hi... i've got a 99 beetle with a scant 42,000 km on it and it just went through a major meltdown with the ignition coils and something ironically called the "convenience control module". it was a thousand dollar fix. despite this being a documented problem with VWs VW of America gave me the usual "unfortunately we cannot assist you in this matter. now the check engine light is coming on...and from what i understand it can be related to the ignition coil problem and/or the emission sensor (which was an officially recalled issue). any tips on how to proceed? i have an appointment at the dealer for friday july 9th and i am in no mood to start shelling out a hundred bucks + an hour for a problem that seems to be theirs, not mine. any/all tips greatly appreciated LK missleora@hotmail.com IP: Logged
RedTorontoBug Junior Member	posted 07-09-2004 12:48 PM Get a good mechanic -- and look at the sealants on the valves (inexpensive). I've a 1998 beetle, one of the earliest ones out in Canada. Since 2000, I've had sporadic messages with an engine light ON constantly (turned off once a year with a new message about the problem). I've solved it: I talked to the head of the service area at Cederbrae Volkswagen in Toronto. John...told me that the REAL problem is that many mechanics (perhaps the large number in the US?) simply don't know how to read the engine computer readouts. Air problems? Secondary air problems? Mass air flow problems? More oil? John suggested that his mechanic "re-seal" the engine valves. It was a job so fast and inexpensive that he DID NOT CHARGE ME FOR IT! His guys replaced some simple sealing material that, apparently, must wear or change quality over time (perhaps during the trip from high altitude production plants in Mexico by boat to more humid areas of North America?). THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED!!! I also had my oil changed and learned from John that these new beetles need about .4Litres of oil every 1000 Kilometres ...and should not to be overfilled. The oil should be changed every 6 - 12 months (or 8000 K). And while this seems like a lot of oil, it actually ensures phenomenal gas consumption performance. With the oil change, I'm getting nearly 800 kilometers per tank of gas versus just less than 500 last year. The improvement is miraculous. So after years of pain on this, I had to let people know that the solutions may be simple if you have an honest and talented mechanic WHO KNOWS VWs AND CARES ABOUT YOU. Two months ago, I too thought I had a lemon and was looking to sell my car at a discount. But it works again, well. AND I LOVE MY VW "LEMON" (if only I had a yellow car, rather than a red one) IP: Logged
BeetleGurl Junior Member	posted 07-09-2004 03:26 PM __ His guys replaced some simple sealing material that, apparently, must wear or change quality over time (perhaps during the trip from high altitude production plants in Mexico by boat to more humid areas of North America?). THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED!!! I also had my oil changed and learned from John that these new beetles need about .4Litres of oil every 1000 Kilometres ...and should not to be overfilled. The oil should be changed every 6 - 12 months (or 8000 K). And while this seems like a lot of oil, it actually ensures phenomenal gas consumption performance. With the oil change, I'm getting nearly 800 kilometers per tank of gas versus just less than 500 last year. The improvement is miraculous.___ I think you are the first person to say something good about the New Beetles!! (in here anyways!) I have owned my 2000 Bug for 34 days and I know there is something wrong with it, nobody can find the problem. Rattling noise when car is idling. Coolant fluid dissapearing, causing me to refill it every 500km or so. Engine overheats. This is after I had the waterpump replaced last week ($300) Now my brakes need to be replaced ($575) but I will fight with my salesman/mechanic to pay for it as it should not have passed safety the way they were. I wish I knew enough about mechanics to tell them to look at what you had fixed. Maybe I need to replace that too. I will follow your advice though and add a quart of oil (400ml) every 1000km and have it changed every 8000km. Thanks for the tip! Do you know if your mechanic has any good contacts in Ottawa? Perhaps he can point me to someone who can help me :-) (I have a yellow bug but if they had a red one, I would have been torn :-) I absolutely love the car, it makes me sad that she's always broken...) [This message has been edited by BeetleGurl (edited 07-09-2004).] [This message has been edited by BeetleGurl (edited 07-09-2004).] IP: Logged

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