I think I hate my Volkswagen.
March 19, 2012 9:12 AM Subscribe
Why is my check engine light coming on and off? And can I wait to get it fixed?
I drive a 2004 Volkswagen Golf with ~93,000 miles on it. The check engine light came on around a year ago, and I had the ECT sensor replaced. That seemed to fix the problem, and since then, the light has briefly come on maybe twice.
The light came on this past week and I took to my usual mechanic (a great, honest mechanic) who was very busy, but read the codes for free. Two codes came up: one indicating a problem with the cooling system, and one probably indicating a bad catalytic converter. He sent me to the dealer because the cat is still under warranty, but they wouldn't fix the catalytic converter unless the other code was cleared first. I decided I would take my car back to my usual mechanic on Monday (this was all on a Saturday). But then the light went off! Hooray!
And then it came back on.
I live in Los Angeles, and it would take me an hour and a half to get to work on the bus. It's also a ten mile bike ride, which is probably a little more than I can manage. I'm also under twenty-five and a rental car will cost me an arm and a leg. Would waiting to take the car in until this weekend be completely idiotic? I'm going to ask my mechanic, as well, but if you AskMeFi-er's have any advice - particularly VW drivers - I'd really appreciate it.
I drive a 2004 Volkswagen Golf with ~93,000 miles on it. The check engine light came on around a year ago, and I had the ECT sensor replaced. That seemed to fix the problem, and since then, the light has briefly come on maybe twice.
The light came on this past week and I took to my usual mechanic (a great, honest mechanic) who was very busy, but read the codes for free. Two codes came up: one indicating a problem with the cooling system, and one probably indicating a bad catalytic converter. He sent me to the dealer because the cat is still under warranty, but they wouldn't fix the catalytic converter unless the other code was cleared first. I decided I would take my car back to my usual mechanic on Monday (this was all on a Saturday). But then the light went off! Hooray!
And then it came back on.
I live in Los Angeles, and it would take me an hour and a half to get to work on the bus. It's also a ten mile bike ride, which is probably a little more than I can manage. I'm also under twenty-five and a rental car will cost me an arm and a leg. Would waiting to take the car in until this weekend be completely idiotic? I'm going to ask my mechanic, as well, but if you AskMeFi-er's have any advice - particularly VW drivers - I'd really appreciate it.
Best answer: My VW was older than yours (2000 Jetta) but we used to call the Check Engine light the "I'm a Volkswagen" light because it came on all the time for absolutely no reason.
posted by radioamy at 9:32 AM on March 19, 2012 [6 favorites]
posted by radioamy at 9:32 AM on March 19, 2012 [6 favorites]
Your actual question is whether or not to wait until the weekend. I don't know about Volkswagen but in my GM cars, when the lights come on it is usually related to something that's causing more pollution than is allowed, but doesn't necessarily indicate a hazard. When I call my repair shop they ask if it's blinking. If it is, that means better fix it right away. If not, you can drive around for a bit before dealing with it. You catalytic converter problem is of the pollution variety — you're contributing to global warming, but you can drive. The coolant problem could be the other kind. Find out more specifically what that problem is, check the fluid levels, watch the engine temp. If all those seem normal, I personally would chance driving with it for a few days.
posted by beagle at 9:44 AM on March 19, 2012
posted by beagle at 9:44 AM on March 19, 2012
Depends what the code actually was. On my car, "check engine" can mean anything from "Hey, dummy, you forgot to tighten the gas cap all the way" to "We're all gonna die!"
posted by Ghostride The Whip at 9:47 AM on March 19, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Ghostride The Whip at 9:47 AM on March 19, 2012 [1 favorite]
Check the fluid levels - if the coolant is to the correct level (check your manual to be sure you are doing this right especially if it needs topping up) and there is no other sign of an issue (running hot or anything) then you can likely ignore this until you get to the mechanic, especially if the light is going on and off.
If you don't know how to check the coolant (honestly, its super easy) then it's more of a risk. I'd ignore the catalyst code for now.
posted by Brockles at 9:49 AM on March 19, 2012 [1 favorite]
If you don't know how to check the coolant (honestly, its super easy) then it's more of a risk. I'd ignore the catalyst code for now.
posted by Brockles at 9:49 AM on March 19, 2012 [1 favorite]
Best answer: My wife's last car, an '01 Jetta, threw a couple of CEL codes that had similar implications, and for a while the codes would periodically clear themselves and the light would go out for a while. I replaced the ECT sensor, which got the temperature gauge going again (it had quit a year or so earlier) but didn't affect the CEL problem. I Googled the codes, and several forums turned up the MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor as the likely culprit. The sensor is easily accessible (on the air intake, between air filter box and engine), and was available on eBay for about $100. Rather than go through another round of professional diagnostics (which would've cost $90 and and had already failed once), I took a chance and changed the sensor. Worked like a charm.
Of course, an '01 Jetta is not an '04 Golf, and I don't have any record of the exact codes I saw at the time.
posted by jon1270 at 9:56 AM on March 19, 2012 [1 favorite]
Of course, an '01 Jetta is not an '04 Golf, and I don't have any record of the exact codes I saw at the time.
posted by jon1270 at 9:56 AM on March 19, 2012 [1 favorite]
The cat problem won't affect the drivability of the car. Coolant keeps the car from overheating. Not knowing the actual code makes it kind of difficult to say for sure, but if you keep a close eye on the temp and coolant levels and make sure it isn't overheating, you should be ok to drive.
posted by zug at 10:29 AM on March 19, 2012
posted by zug at 10:29 AM on March 19, 2012
I had a problem with the engine light of my Hyundai Sonata coming on every now and then--it would stay on for a few days and then go back off. My mechanic had told me that if it was staying on steadily and wasn't blinking, I wasn't likely to be in serious trouble, so I stopped freaking out (after the initial freak-out and trip to the mechanic).
It took me months to figure this out, but I finally did--I realized that the engine light was coming on within a day (if that much) of taking the car to the car wash. I started asking the car wash guys to turn off the undercarriage wash when I went through the computerized wash cycle. Problem solved--the engine light has never gone on again after a car wash. The one time I got a guy who didn't speak English well and the undercarriage wash was left on--voila, engine light.
Do you get car washes often?
posted by dlugoczaj at 10:52 AM on March 19, 2012
It took me months to figure this out, but I finally did--I realized that the engine light was coming on within a day (if that much) of taking the car to the car wash. I started asking the car wash guys to turn off the undercarriage wash when I went through the computerized wash cycle. Problem solved--the engine light has never gone on again after a car wash. The one time I got a guy who didn't speak English well and the undercarriage wash was left on--voila, engine light.
Do you get car washes often?
posted by dlugoczaj at 10:52 AM on March 19, 2012
Best answer: 2001 GTi owner here...On a VW of that vintage, it could be so many things. The MkIVs were, frankly, crap, especially the electricals.
It could be one of your ignition coils going bad.
It could be an intermittent vacuum leak.
It could be your MAF starting to fail.
It could be your thermostat failing.
It could be your gas cap not sealed right.
And on, and on, and on...
Knowing which engine you'recursedblessed with would help narrow things down somewhat.
posted by Thorzdad at 11:09 AM on March 19, 2012 [1 favorite]
It could be one of your ignition coils going bad.
It could be an intermittent vacuum leak.
It could be your MAF starting to fail.
It could be your thermostat failing.
It could be your gas cap not sealed right.
And on, and on, and on...
Knowing which engine you're
posted by Thorzdad at 11:09 AM on March 19, 2012 [1 favorite]
You can take it to Auto Zone and they will read the code for you at no charge. In some cases, they can reset it, and in other cases, depending on the code, they are not allowed to reset it.
You can jot down the code then look on the numerous VW forums for what it means.
posted by Danf at 11:13 AM on March 19, 2012
You can jot down the code then look on the numerous VW forums for what it means.
posted by Danf at 11:13 AM on March 19, 2012
Response by poster: @Thorzdad: I have the GL with 2.0 L 4-Cylinder engine. And yes, the MkIV's were/are crap.
Autozone rarely reads the code for free anymore. My mechanic will do it for free - I've been a good customer - but I think a lot of Autozone managers have realized that anything diagnostic is above their pay grade. Can't really blame them, and just knowing the code doesn't help that much.
Fluid levels are fine.
I know that the catalytic converter doesn't affect the drivability of the car, but I'm worried about the coolant system. I'm mostly hoping to clear the temperature related code so that I can get the catalytic converter replaced ASAP as it's only under warranty for another ~6,000 miles.
posted by ablazingsaddle at 11:40 AM on March 19, 2012
Autozone rarely reads the code for free anymore. My mechanic will do it for free - I've been a good customer - but I think a lot of Autozone managers have realized that anything diagnostic is above their pay grade. Can't really blame them, and just knowing the code doesn't help that much.
Fluid levels are fine.
I know that the catalytic converter doesn't affect the drivability of the car, but I'm worried about the coolant system. I'm mostly hoping to clear the temperature related code so that I can get the catalytic converter replaced ASAP as it's only under warranty for another ~6,000 miles.
posted by ablazingsaddle at 11:40 AM on March 19, 2012
Call an O'Reilly store. The ones here in Minnesota let you read the codes yourself for free. Usually they just drop your license in the box until you return the code reader.
posted by Climber at 12:26 PM on March 19, 2012
posted by Climber at 12:26 PM on March 19, 2012
Best answer: I drove a VW for years. My brother drove a VW for years.* Each car developed electrical/sensor quirks before the mileage you're currently experiencing. I'm not saying that this is nothing, but I do agree with the above posters that VWs are more likely to falsely indicate that there's a problem than other vehicles are. It could very well be the case that nothing is actually wrong re: the issue being irregularly reported.
If it is an actual problem that needs to be repaired, you've already taken your car to the mechanic. Presumably he would have mentioned if you should avoid driving it until the repairs take place. You should call back and ask if you're unsure, but I don't imagine he would have just let you drive away in an unsafe vehicle.
(*My uncle also drove a VW for years, though that one was an antique. It basically electrocuted him every time he honked the horn with the convertible top down. None of us drive VWs now.)
posted by cranberry_nut at 1:07 PM on March 19, 2012 [1 favorite]
If it is an actual problem that needs to be repaired, you've already taken your car to the mechanic. Presumably he would have mentioned if you should avoid driving it until the repairs take place. You should call back and ask if you're unsure, but I don't imagine he would have just let you drive away in an unsafe vehicle.
(*My uncle also drove a VW for years, though that one was an antique. It basically electrocuted him every time he honked the horn with the convertible top down. None of us drive VWs now.)
posted by cranberry_nut at 1:07 PM on March 19, 2012 [1 favorite]
The bad catalytic converter is what's turning the 'check engine' light on. The vast majority (or all) 'check engine' problems have to do with emissions.
The cooling system problem should be taken care of ASAP. Watch your engine temperature and coolant fluid level like a hawk in case there's a leak -- you might have a slow leak that is throwing off pressure sensors but not yet causing an actual problem.
posted by imagineerit at 2:42 PM on March 19, 2012
The cooling system problem should be taken care of ASAP. Watch your engine temperature and coolant fluid level like a hawk in case there's a leak -- you might have a slow leak that is throwing off pressure sensors but not yet causing an actual problem.
posted by imagineerit at 2:42 PM on March 19, 2012
Not a Volkswagon, but my sisters car had a recurring engine light and it turned out (after three visits to the shop) that it was because the gas cap wasn't sealed. She learned to give it an extra wring each time and it hasn't happened again.
posted by Carlotta Bananas at 4:20 PM on March 19, 2012
posted by Carlotta Bananas at 4:20 PM on March 19, 2012
Best answer: If people could stick to the question (can the OP wait until the weekend) rather than completely wild and unfounded guesses as to the cause of the engine light, that would be much more helpful: Meta.
In summary: If it was a cooling system code and your car shows no signs of leaking, all fluids levels are good and there are no other symptoms you can probably wait until the weekend to get this looked at. Keep an eye on your temp gauge when driving and pull over if it does anything weird. The intermittent nature of the CEL suggests a minor issue so if you've checked what you can, I think you can wing it.
posted by Brockles at 6:31 AM on March 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
In summary: If it was a cooling system code and your car shows no signs of leaking, all fluids levels are good and there are no other symptoms you can probably wait until the weekend to get this looked at. Keep an eye on your temp gauge when driving and pull over if it does anything weird. The intermittent nature of the CEL suggests a minor issue so if you've checked what you can, I think you can wing it.
posted by Brockles at 6:31 AM on March 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: If people could stick to the question (can the OP wait until the weekend) rather than completely wild and unfounded guesses as to the cause of the engine light, that would be much more helpful: Meta.
I don't want to criticize any answers, as they were all given in good faith and with good intentions, but I was asking if it seemed safe to wait, and for general check engine light advice from VW drivers, and not for general speculation/advice on where to get the OBD codes read. I've definitely checked the gas cap and fluid levels, and I already had the codes read by a mechanic. Looking back at the question, I definitely could have been a lot clearer.
I decided that I had no way of determining if my car is leaking, and not wanting to risk serious damage, I bit the bullet, paid for a rental care (no surcharge if you're under 25! yay!, and dropped it off at the mechanic first thing this morning. It turns out that my thermometer is busted (not closing all the way). $230-ish including labor. Not an emergency, but I'm glad I got it fixed. Surprisingly, not an electrical problem this time! Hopefully the check engine light will come back on before the catalytic converter warranty runs out and the dealer will replace it. Fingers crossed!
posted by ablazingsaddle at 10:57 AM on March 20, 2012
I don't want to criticize any answers, as they were all given in good faith and with good intentions, but I was asking if it seemed safe to wait, and for general check engine light advice from VW drivers, and not for general speculation/advice on where to get the OBD codes read. I've definitely checked the gas cap and fluid levels, and I already had the codes read by a mechanic. Looking back at the question, I definitely could have been a lot clearer.
I decided that I had no way of determining if my car is leaking, and not wanting to risk serious damage, I bit the bullet, paid for a rental care (no surcharge if you're under 25! yay!, and dropped it off at the mechanic first thing this morning. It turns out that my thermometer is busted (not closing all the way). $230-ish including labor. Not an emergency, but I'm glad I got it fixed. Surprisingly, not an electrical problem this time! Hopefully the check engine light will come back on before the catalytic converter warranty runs out and the dealer will replace it. Fingers crossed!
posted by ablazingsaddle at 10:57 AM on March 20, 2012
Response by poster: Oh, and as a follow-up to Brockles: The temp gauge was acting weird. Thanks for the very useful advice.
posted by ablazingsaddle at 11:24 AM on March 20, 2012
posted by ablazingsaddle at 11:24 AM on March 20, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by ssg at 9:19 AM on March 19, 2012