Check engine light 2000 1.8T

For most of the time I've owned my 2000 Passat, the engine light/emissions workshop lights have been on. I replaced the Mass Air Flow Sensor under the extended warranty and within a few months the light was on again. I got used to it. The car ran fine. So I figured it was just another sensor that was off.

Until last week, when I had it in the shopp for something else, I decided to get whatever was making these lights come on once and for all. For about $500, I had the dealer put it on the computer, replace the O2 sensor and the coolant temp sensor and fix a vacuum line. Within 24 hours, the lights were back on.

To me, the work should be guaranteed - right? Whatever is wrong is still not fixed. And if they'd quoted me more money, I might not have done the work. So, fix what was supposed to be fixed when I drove out of there????! Right?

Has anyone had success with this approach with a dealer? - or with VW? If I do spend another cent on this problem, I won't do it with the dealer, but I want to try to get them to fix it free first.

Anyone else who has otherwise successfully solved the engine-light probs, also please weigh in. I don't work on the car myself, but will be going to a recommended mechanic and I'd like to provide as much as possible when I do.

Like so many other Passat owners, I love how this car handles and feels, but strange things seem to go wrong.

Thanks

its a passat... they have alot of problems.most common for check light:

maf sensor
ect
front o2 sensor
vacuum lines under intake manifold and on side of manifold under coolant resivour
secondary air combi valve
secondary air pump and relay module
turbo overrun cutoff valve
power output stage
carboning of intake valves and throttle body

hi Jup,

more good info - I'll definitely heed this list. 4 of these items already replaced.

So, you're saying "just live with it"? I've had the check-engine light on more than off, for the last 5 years. Seems an unsafe assumption to think it's not serious - but who can afford to have it checked every time? If thre are no other performance symptoms, what do you recommend?

thanks again!

thanks!

Man that sucks. If the dealer isn't clearing the CEL code after charging you $500 to replace malfunctioning parts then they suck like every VW dealership I've seen or heard about. My wife has had nothing but bad experiences with the dealership and her inlaws have had such horrible service that they've contacted VW of America and made formal complaints. Her sister is still a sucker and loves to waste money though on her VW. If you can get them to fix the problem since you've already paid for service then that's great, but if you can find a reputable mechanic that knows how to work on these OBD2 VWs that won't charge you dealership prices, then by all means do it.

Bummer you have a passat w/ a check light problem. Usually when the light comes on its a pretty easy fix. there are usually only 2-3 things than can cause a code. If you have a cali emissions car than its problably why the light is always on. ALso using low grade fuel does horrible things to vw's. Always use premium fuel when you can, its only about 3-4 more per tank and does wonders!

I broke down and bought a decent code reader after getting tired of seeing the Check Engine Light come on in my wife's '98 Passat on a regular basis. The dealer charges about $75 just to connect the diagnostic tool so he can tell me there's a problem. They won't even listen to me when I bring the car in and tell them what the code is for the engine fault as they insist they have to check it for themselves. I really need to find a good backyard mechanic locally that works on VWs to do the work I don't want to do.

I currently own two Passats (a '98 and a '99) and the '98 by far has been the worst of the two. Fortunately, we bought it at CarMax and I purchased a 3-year extended warranty with it for about $1700. I've already exceeded that amount in warranty repairs, not to mention my own out of pocket costs in addition to the warranty work.

The '99 has been pretty good and is currently right around 65k miles. I did have to get the waste gate on the turbo fixed after about 30k miles. I never intended to get two of these hangar queens but I got a great deal on the '99 and couldn't pass it up. I paid $9,900 for it on ebay with only 28k miles in near mint condition so I wasn't terribly upset when I had to pay for the turbo repair 'cause I figured I was still ahead of the game at that point. So far nothing else major has reared it's ugly head on the '99. The CEL did come on last week and indicated a lean mixture on one of the cylinder banks. I ran some fuel injector cleaner through it and replaced the spark plugs. So far the light hasn't returned.

I've heard so many horror stories about electrical problems with Audi vehicles that I can't believe I ever bought one, let alone two. I've spent a good bit of time in Inglestadt on business so I have a personal fondness for Audis as a result (that's where the factory is in case you weren't aware). I love the way they drive when they're running right and the little 1.8T has more pickup at highway speeds than it has a right to. Aside from the potential electrical issues my only other major gripe is that they have to use premium fuel.

Bummer you have a passat w/ a check light problem. Usually when the light comes on its a pretty easy fix. there are usually only 2-3 things than can cause a code. If you have a cali emissions car than its problably why the light is always on. ALso using low grade fuel does horrible things to vw's. Always use premium fuel when you can, its only about 3-4 more per tank and does wonders!

My thanks to Jup, Turtle, and Captain Video,

I'm still trying to get the dealer to make good on clearing all codes. But, based on what you and others have said, I'm not too hopeful and I'll never cross their doorway again, that's for sure.

I do have a good mechanic to see if the dealer won't make good. From the posts, it seems there are standard things to try that will make this pesky problem go away - and there sure are a lot of VWs and Audis on the road, so you'd think folks would know by now..... Or that VW America would have had a stake in publishing some kind of standard CEL-fix text. Alas. It is a sweet drive and extremely powerful. My only complaint besides CEL pollen filter leak is that the tires seem to wear out too quickly - but I never had "high performance" tires before this vehicle, so who knows.

Babaloo