check engine light

[carlos.lucero28]

Hey guys, Im new to the 4R world, I just got a 98 4R about 2 weeks ago and I allready fixed a couple of smaller issues with your guys help, but now, I need advice, my check engine light came on yesterday and I wanted to see if there is anybody in chula vista that can help me figure out why its on. I went to autozone and kragen and they dont read the codes for you any more, they wanted to sell me the reader (over $150). Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

 

[Nelsonmd]

Get something like this

Amazon.com: Actron CP9125 PocketScan Code Reader: Automotive

There are even some cheaper ones like it on amazon (I have the one I posted and it works just fine. It;s a little slow, but works no problem). Autozone not reading for free is garbage. You should send a complaint to their corporate HQ about that.

Get the code, then come back and do a search. More than likely someone has gotten your code already and asked about it.

I personally really like having the code reader to read and clear my codes at will.

 

[carlos.lucero28]

if I get the scanner, where does it plug in, in my jetta the port is by the middle consol tray but I dont see it on the runner!!!

and thanks for the info for amazon $47 sound a lot better.

 

[blcktpgsr]

if I get the scanner, where does it plug in, in my jetta the port is by the middle consol tray but I dont see it on the runner!!!

and thanks for the info for amazon $47 sound a lot better.

It'll just be to the right of the steering wheel above the gas pedal, it's black port facing down

 

[sawtooth3]

complete guess, but it happened to me and the simple stuff all checked out. The answer was: 02 sensor.

 

[dd210]

aamco will do your check engine light and give you a quote on the cost for free

 

[Nelsonmd]

It'll just be to the right of the steering wheel above the gas pedal, it's black port facing down

Yeah, it is just behind the center console trim. Stick your head under there and you will see it.

Don't assume it is the O2, the code could be anything.

 

[carlos.lucero28]

A friend of mine suggested to unplug the battery over night and see if it turned the CE light off, so, I did and now its off, do you think that will be the end of it??? or do you think it will come back???

 

[TheDurk]

A friend of mine suggested to unplug the battery over night and see if it turned the CE light off, so, I did and now its off, do you think that will be the end of it??? or do you think it will come back???

Most of the time it will come back. Misfire codes (P03xx) and cat codes (P0420) take longer to come back. Lots of codes have to trigger twice before the light goes on. But maybe it was a tank of bad gas. I had a single P0420 last August, reset it, and I haven't seen it since. I'd always read it, then reset it, because I hate to lose information like that.

 

[YotaZach85]

Most of the time it will come back. Misfire codes (P03xx) and cat codes (P0420) take longer to come back. Lots of codes have to trigger twice before the light goes on. But maybe it was a tank of bad gas. I had a single P0420 last August, reset it, and I haven't seen it since. I'd always read it, then reset it, because I hate to lose information like that.

Same here, I can't stand not knowing what the code was cause now you don't know what to keep an eye on.

 

[brian2sun]

Autozone not reading for free is garbage. You should send a complaint to their corporate HQ about that.

It's the State of California like usual. At least that's what the Autozone manager told me when I asked him to read my codes a while back. He said it's against the law here to read codes for free now. Next up..
Should driving while wearing a hat be illegal? Sounds like another good CA law to me!

 

[carlos.lucero28]

It's the State of California like usual. At least that's what the Autozone manager told me when I asked him to read my codes a while back. He said it's against the law here to read codes for free now. Next up..
Should driving while wearing a hat be illegal? Sounds like another good CA law to me!

Only in California!!! :redbrick: Anyways, I just ordered an actron pocket scanner so if it comes back Ill be ready!!!

 

[Nelsonmd]

It's the State of California like usual. At least that's what the Autozone manager told me when I asked him to read my codes a while back. He said it's against the law here to read codes for free now. Next up..
Should driving while wearing a hat be illegal? Sounds like another good CA law to me!

Seriously? Man, f-ing california has to dip their fat dirty little fingers into aspect of your life. I swear, they are worse at writing laws than the EU.