chk eng. light/secondary air improper flow detected

745 Views 12 Replies 10 Participants Last post by vdubVR6-Munich, Jul 14, 2003

Axelsimmons

Discussion Starter · Jul 2, 2003

New air pump and new hoses for the air pump installed. The air pump is
working as it should.
What sensor trips this damn thing? Could a sensor have been damaged
due to an inoperative air pump? I'm getting tired of fighting this one

I have a generic code reader and can clear the light so at least I can try
different "fixes" and the see if they work. Gotta get a bently I guess.

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VDoubleUVR6

· #2 · Jul 2, 2003

Re: chk eng. light/secondary air improper flow detected (Axelsimmons)

Is this the air pump for the emissions crap....because if it is then mine I think is busted. When I first got the car it was nice and quite but you can still make it out that it sounds like a vaccum but not loud. But after this ishy winter the air pump is loud....like my friends always joke around that its the supercharger. My dad said that the bearing could be going. This is the pump that is connected to the tube with I put my little breather filter that comes with intakes.

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blinkinbanana

· #3 · Jul 2, 2003

I have have a few spare second air pump...but race guy take em out...saves 20 lbs.

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Axelsimmons

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 2, 2003

Re: chk eng. light/secondary air improper flow detected (VDoubleUVR6)

Yep thats the one. Mine is brand new and you can kinda hear it over the
engine at idle... thats how I know it is still working.
I insalled a new one .. major PITA on the VR6! And the light stayed off for
a while. Now its back on.. actually went on and off for a while now its just
on.. cleared the code and now I'll see if it triggers again.
Problem is when the do emmisions in Wa. state they just plug in and read the codes .. no sniffer up the pipe. Though I got the pump installed just under the
wire this year.. took it down and they told me that the battery musta been
disconnected (duh) as everything was cleared and they had to use the sniffer.
Seems you have to drive a couple of hundred miles before the data they need to look at is present to read.... soooo I guess if you clear the codes and
disconnect the battery before emmisions and then just tell them it just
came out of the shop they will use the sniffer and the car will pass. If the
check engine light is on your car will fail at the emmsions nazi's.

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modular182

· #5 · Jul 14, 2003

Re: chk eng. light/secondary air improper flow detected (Axelsimmons)

Geeezzzz.... I've been fighting the same problem myself for the past 3 months. (And I have a 98 Jetta GLX myself) I know the pump works -I disconnected the hose that goes from it to the combi-valve and can hear that thing run from a mile away. I replaced the vacume hose that runs from the solenoid to the combi-valve and then even replaced the solenoid itself, but to no avail. If I figure out the problem I'll post it here for you.
Good luck,
Bryan

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gotissues68

· #6 · Jul 14, 2003

Re: chk eng. light/secondary air improper flow detected (Axelsimmons)

Yea Wa state is a PITA

I ended up getting an exception cert because they said the codes weren't always reliable, they sent someone to a shop with a code which turned out to be that her gas cap wasn't on tight enough... you should tell them to write you up an exception and let you get your tabs so you can work on a fix for the next 2 years

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Letsgopens13

· #7 · Jul 14, 2003

Re: chk eng. light/secondary air improper flow detected (gotissues68)

I've had the same problem since I got my car back in October. The vacuuming sound at startup is very loud. It doesn't do it if I unplug the O2 sensor but then that trips the CEL light.
My mechanic told me that other than the noise its not going to cause any serious problem. He said the secondary air pump goes for like $250 and its not worth it to get it replaced unless I really can't stand the noise.
blinkinbanana-
Is it a PITA to just take it out and go without it? Will it still pass emissions?

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stlv-dubber

· #8 · Jul 14, 2003

Re: chk eng. light/secondary air improper flow detected (Axelsimmons)

I had the same problem with the cheak engine light ,improper flow of air pump. I took it to the volkswagen dealer, they put a new air pump and comb valve in ,now
everything is fine. It cost me $1,400 dollars to fix though

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vdubVR6-Munich

· #9 · Jul 14, 2003

Re: chk eng. light/secondary air improper flow detected (stlv-dubber)

Quote, originally posted by stlv-dubber »

It cost me $1,400 dollars to fix though

....ouch
I have the same issue:
Code P0411 35-00 Sec. Air inj. Incorrect Flow
and

Code P1582 35-10 Idle Adaptation
I was told to check for vaccum leaks, change the hoses, and the fuse for the secondary air pump. Hope it doesn't cost me that much. I need to pass emissions..

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sphipps

· #10 · Jul 14, 2003

Re: chk eng. light/secondary air improper flow detected (Letsgopens13)

Quote, originally posted by Letsgopens13 »

My mechanic told me that other than the noise its not going to cause any serious problem. He said the secondary air pump goes for like $250 and its not worth it to get it replaced unless I really can't stand the noise.

Where does your mechanic get his parts from? The dealership quoted me 550 just for the pump.

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Letsgopens13

· #11 · Jul 14, 2003

Re: chk eng. light/secondary air improper flow detected (sphipps)

Quote, originally posted by sphipps »

Where does your mechanic get his parts from? The dealership quoted me 550 just for the pump.

Jerry's European Car Repair in Maple Shade, NJ. He does great work for reasonable prices and he knows his Volkswagens http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
I don't know where he would get the part from though.

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