Check engine light on , help

[johnny sacco]

Hi guy's just joined the forum so this is my first post. I have a 96 jetta 140000 km in good shape with one problem. Two yrs ago got a DUI meaning the car sat in the drive way for 2 yrs. I may have started it up three times , each time having to throw the battery on the charger the night before. She always fired right up with no problem , however just the other day i went out to start her no problem but the check engine light came on. First time this has happened. Mechanically the only problem i know of is a leaking exhaust with a whole in the resonator. I had the exhaust issue right up to the day a parked her never seeing the light come on. Any info what to do or perhaps what the problem might be , Thanks

[danielsatur]

Any Local Auto Parts Store will pull the Diagnostic Trouble code for free, than come back to your Thread on AF.

[Tony Silva]

get the code read....I would be willing to guess that it has something to do with an oxegen sensor, but check the code first.

[johnny sacco]

Originally Posted by danielsatur

Any Local Auto Parts Store will pull the Diagnostic Trouble code for free, than come back to your Thread on AF.

Thanks for the reply , the most popular answer seems to be the oxygen censor. As far as getting the code's read for free , Canadians might be nice but were tight asses and likely make me pay. My next question is can i test the censor myself before i bring it in ?. I'm more then capable mechanically and have the means to do so just need to be pointed in the right direction. Thanks , hit me up with the how to.

[speediva]

Originally Posted by johnny sacco

Thanks for the reply , the most popular answer seems to be the oxygen censor. As far as getting the code's read for free , Canadians might be nice but were tight asses and likely make me pay. My next question is can i test the censor myself before i bring it in ?. I'm more then capable mechanically and have the means to do so just need to be pointed in the right direction. Thanks , hit me up with the how to.

Oxygen sensor is likely, given what you've said. And you really might be surprised at shops. I know I'm not in Canada, but where I live, I can think of 4 shops that would run a scan for free - and 2 of them are just autoparts stores.

You can buy an OBD reader, but I think 1996 was the last year for OBD I (and most modern cars are OBD II) so you may have to look a little harder to have the code read.