Diagnostic help needed w/ OBD codes

[maxxxx]

Hi all,

I need some advice with my wife’s car:

2000 Beetle
2.0L,
standard
85,000 miles

The check engine light is on, and there is an intermittent temporary hesitation which occurs once about every three or four times the car is driven. My simple DIY OBDII scanner is giving me the following three error codes:

17536 -Long Term Fuel Trim -System too Lean (Bank 1)

16486 -Mass or Volume Air Flow Circuit - Low input

16518 -O2 Sensor Circuit - No Activity Detected (Bank 1 Sensor 1)

Like many folks I do whatever wrenching I can on our family cars, but like most amateurs I do not have the level of diagnostic expertise necessary to just dive right into this repair, at least not comfortable. Since the problem developed, all I have done is change the fuel filter, which upon inspection showed a lot of black gas. I have some ideas as to which way to go, but would really, really appreciate any suggestions or advice from the group, as most of you are in a category waaayyy beyond me when it comes to the more sophisticated diagnostic abilities.

Thanks for any help you can offer and have a happy holidays,

-Joe

[veedubmechanic]

replace your front o2 sensor (about 30$) and maf sensor (about 60$ get a rebuilt one ... has "x" at the end of the part number)

[maxxxx]

Originally Posted by veedubmechanic

replace your front o2 sensor (about 30$) and maf sensor (about 60$ get a rebuilt one ... has "x" at the end of the part number)

Thanks for the advice, it is appreciated. Even better than it being a relatively cheap solution, it was also the same conclusion I had come to. I put the MAF in last night and will do the O2 sensors over the weekend when I can jack the car up in the light. I'm going to do both sensors while I'm at it given the mileage of the vehicle.

Thanks again, the peace of mind I got from your reply is invaluable and makes me feel a H@ll of a lot better about my amateur diagnoses

[Blackbeetle]

Originally Posted by maxxxx

Thanks for the advice, it is appreciated. Even better than it being a relatively cheap solution, it was also the same conclusion I had come to. I put the MAF in last night and will do the O2 sensors over the weekend when I can jack the car up in the light. I'm going to do both sensors while I'm at it given the mileage of the vehicle.

Thanks again, the peace of mind I got from your reply is invaluable and makes me feel a H@ll of a lot better about my amateur diagnoses

Howdy MaxxXX
did the new sensors solve the problem??
thanks
Blackbeetle

[maxxxx]

Originally Posted by Blackbeetle

Howdy MaxxXX
did the new sensors solve the problem??
thanks
Blackbeetle

Well, I got the MAF sensor in and all the performance problems pretty much disappeared. Now I'm in a battle with the aft O2 sensor as it is become pretty badly stuck and refuses to move. Ordinarily It wouldn't be too much a problem, but this time of year in New England it is hard to get the daylight/ temperatures needed to spend a too much time on the frozen ground under a jacked-up beetle. I'll have to figure it out soon though as my inspection sticker is about to expire and I don't think I can get the check engine light out with changing the o2's.

Anyone have any ideas on solutions, I'd love to hear them.

In terms of useful info I can add though, I did find a site that sells the MAF for $53; and some online research suggested that many of these things suffer from premature failure.

[corning_d3]

If your new MAF made the problem go away, why not reset the PCM and see if the check engine light comes back on. One bad sensor can make other sensors act irregular, causing them to set a code, when actually there is nothing wrong with them..

[Blackbeetle]

Originally Posted by maxxxx

Well, I got the MAF sensor in and all the performance problems pretty much disappeared. Now I'm in a battle with the aft O2 sensor as it is become pretty badly stuck and refuses to move. Ordinarily It wouldn't be too much a problem, but this time of year in New England it is hard to get the daylight/ temperatures needed to spend a too much time on the frozen ground under a jacked-up beetle. I'll have to figure it out soon though as my inspection sticker is about to expire and I don't think I can get the check engine light out with changing the o2's.

Anyone have any ideas on solutions, I'd love to hear them.

In terms of useful info I can add though, I did find a site that sells the MAF for $53; and some online research suggested that many of these things suffer from premature failure.

**************************************************
Maxxx
. I went to the VW dealer today and
bought a new MAF (they call it a Air meter) which comes with the new housing , screens and sensor for 83 bucks cdn.
WOW what a difference , she runs like new.
The dealer told me that they sell a lot of the MAF sensors
I thought everybody would like to know.
It was only when I changed the MAF that she started running well.
Also
I found one spark plug boot that was arcing a little
Check your plug wires.
.You can see it really well if you are in a dark garage.
I didn't change it , it was only a little loose ,I pushed it down onto the plug with a long screwdriver.No more arcing
I think they will work loose if they are not pushed on
with some force when you change the plugs.


Thanks for the reply
Blackbeetle

[Blackbeetle]

Originally Posted by maxxxx

Well, I got the MAF sensor in and all the performance problems pretty much disappeared. Now I'm in a battle with the aft O2 sensor as it is become pretty badly stuck and refuses to move. Ordinarily It wouldn't be too much a problem, but this time of year in New England it is hard to get the daylight/ temperatures needed to spend a too much time on the frozen ground under a jacked-up beetle. I'll have to figure it out soon though as my inspection sticker is about to expire and I don't think I can get the check engine light out with changing the o2's.

Anyone have any ideas on solutions, I'd love to hear them.

In terms of useful info I can add though, I did find a site that sells the MAF for $53; and some online research suggested that many of these things suffer from premature failure.

Maxxx
I also changed my O2 sensors .
I put a 7/8 open end wrench on it and smacked the wrench with a plastic mallet. She came loose right away.
If you have trouble heat up the bung with a propane torch.
Make sure the new sensor has some anti sieze compound on the threads before you install it.
The front sensor is an adventure in frustration as it is right up
by the header in the collector pipe, you have to get the wrench on it and then work both hands up to the wrench and pull for all your'e worth.
enjoy
Blackbeetle

[veedubmechanic]

its a 22mm not 7/8. suprised you didnt strip it out!

[Blackbeetle]

Originally Posted by veedubmechanic

its a 22mm not 7/8. suprised you didnt strip it out!

Howdy Veedub
Thanks for the info.
We got to make do with what we have.
Since 7/8 is .875" and 22mm is .866" I figure I was lucky
The AC/Delco sensors on my GMC Sierra were treated to the same wrench.
I guess I got to break down and get a sensor socket (or 22mm open end) before I regret it.
I would like to say that it's guys like you that keep these forums
running right.
Thanks from all of us would be mechniks

Happy New Year
Blackbeetle

[icedawgs88]

Adding a friendly reminder to veedubs comment always use mm wrenches and sockets(Most every bolt is a mm not standard) Also if you ever do strip a bolt out before getting the vise grips or taking it to a dealer just buy a bolt out set from craftsman for 10 or 15 dollars and your all set just make sure you go the right bolt number on the tool. good luck