[NENE_VR6]

Hi, I have a problem...

I don't drive my Jetta VR6 in winter, however since I don't have a garage, I park it in my driveway besides my house... I hadn't started my car for 1-2 weeks for the reason that I don't drive it, however today it's not that cold (6c*) so I went out and started my car... Right from the moment I started the car, the engine felt weird and did not iddle properly... I thoght that it was normal since the car hadn't been started in some days, however some moments later the "Malfunction Indicator Light" came on...

I've never been more worried about my car than I am now, Do you think something might've F**k up in my engine???

, and what do you advise me to do???... Believe, I'm very nervous and worried about this, so please help if ya can... I tried restarting it later on, but the light doesn't come off no more, and my car doesn't seem to iddle good (below 1000rpm)

... Thanks in Advance...

 

[NENE_VR6]

Re: Malfunction Indicator Light Came On... (Turbo Panda)

So what did I do wrong???

 

[Agtronic]

Re: Malfunction Indicator Light Came On... (NENE_VR6)

quote:[HR][/HR]Hi, I have a problem...

I don't drive my Jetta VR6 in winter, however since I don't have a garage, I park it in my driveway besides my house... I hadn't started my car for 1-2 weeks for the reason that I don't drive it, however today it's not that cold (6c*) so I went out and started my car... Right from the moment I started the car, the engine felt weird and did not iddle properly... I thoght that it was normal since the car hadn't been started in some days, however some moments later the "Malfunction Indicator Light" came on...

I've never been more worried about my car than I am now, Do you think something might've F**k up in my engine???

, and what do you advise me to do???... Believe, I'm very nervous and worried about this, so please help if ya can... I tried restarting it later on, but the light doesn't come off no more, and my car doesn't seem to iddle good (below 1000rpm)

... Thanks in Advance...[HR][/HR]​

You're car was probably runnin on 5 cyl. and the o2 sensor probably told the computer you were running abnormally rich (too much unburned fuel in the exhaust). You should try to slowly bring up the revs and see if the last cyl will catch.
Tell me how it goes!


[Modified by Agtronic, 11:24 AM 2-10-2002]

 

[Pagano]

Re: Malfunction Indicator Light Came On... (Turbo Panda)

quote:[HR][/HR]Its cause your fkn stupid

[HR][/HR]​

Real mature

His car doesn't run right, so you just call him fkn stupid? http://****************.com/smile/emthdown.gif http://****************.com/smile/emthdown.gif

 

[NENE_VR6]

Re: Malfunction Indicator Light Came On... (Agtronic)

That's precisely how the car sounds, like it's only running on 4-5 cylinders... My question is, how can I fix the problem??? Do you think that if one cylinder is not working, once it goes on, will the light come off??? that's my biggest concern right now, the light... I kept the car on for a while, but no change in the iddling... Thx...

 

[Pagano]

Re: Malfunction Indicator Light Came On... (NENE_VR6)

Check your plugs, one could be baddly gummed up and not fireing all too well

 

[SiDeeFung]

Re: Malfunction Indicator Light Came On... (NENE_VR6)

Check your coilpack, use a water spray bottle and spray where the wires meet the coilpack...see if you see any sparks. If you do, you have a cracked coilpack, and your car is missing because of that. It's an easy fix, email me if it's really true.

 

[NENE_VR6]

Re: Malfunction Indicator Light Came On... (Pagano)

Do you think the light will come off after changing the spark plugs if that's what's wrong...

 

[Pagano]

Re: Malfunction Indicator Light Came On... (NENE_VR6)

quote:[HR][/HR]Do you think the light will come off after changing the spark plugs if that's what's wrong...[HR][/HR]​

Questionable, check the condition of each one and see what the deal is. If they look fine, do what SIDEE said. Let us know what happens

 

[NENE_VR6]

Re: Malfunction Indicator Light Came On... (Pagano)

I'll check the Sparks and the Coil then, I'll keep you posted guys and thanks for the help, wish me luck....

 

[NENE_VR6]

Re: Malfunction Indicator Light Came On... (NENE_VR6)

I checked the Coil Pack, but there doesn't seem to be any sparks flying out of it, so I guess that's not it...
I let the car warm up enough, and now all cylinders seem to be functioning alryght, and the car is iddling normal again...
If it was the spark plugs, then they're working now...
Everything seems find in the car, exept for the Light wich doesn't turns off...
Do you advice me to take it to Stealership as soon as possible? or do you have any other suggestion as of what that may be?... Thx ...

 

[Gaki]

Re: Malfunction Indicator Light Came On... (NENE_VR6)

okay.. theres 3 ways to kill the CE..
1) just let the ce stay on, it should disappear after a couple days (if all goes well)
2) unplug the negative terminal on your battery and let the car sit for 10-15mins then reattach. This should stop the CE light
3) take it to the dealership (the last resort)
My ce has been on forever because of my cat.. but then it only comes on periodically. Stange huh?

 

[NENE_VR6]

Re: Malfunction Indicator Light Came On... (Gaki)

If I disconnect my negative terminal from the battery for 10-15 minutes, Will I have to reactivate my radio with the code??? The thing is, that I bought the car, but I don't know the code of my radio, so if I do that, I was wondering if I will not get into more trouble trying to solve the initial one

... Thx for your advice, I'll do that before taking it to Stealership, but if ya know, please let me know... Thx...

 

[NENE_VR6]

Re: Malfunction Indicator Light Came On... (NENE_VR6)

Anybody???

 

[golf strom]

Re: Malfunction Indicator Light Came On... (NENE_VR6)

If your car is now running normally, and your satisfied w/ it's performance,
do not disconnect the battery!!! unless you can find the code for your radio.
If you disconnect the batt. the radio w/ lock up and request that you enter the proper code. As far as you finding the code well, I think you have to give VWoA a call and give them info. concerning your ownership of the car, but don't quote me on this. Also, if you do deceide to rid yourself of the Check Light in this manner, also remember this. The throttle position sensor will need to relearn your driving style, via the ECU. So following reconnection of the battery turn the key to the accessory position, (I) leave the car on in this condition for two to three minutes. Then simply start the car and drive it, the throttle acceleration curve may seem strange or not normal at first, but it will adapt to your driving style after several long drives. This is simply the computer relearning what was lost from its memory during the batt. disconnect. I believe that if the computer senses that all systems are normal the light will go out on its own, however this could take up to ten or more driving cycles, (btw, the car must warm up and be in closed loop mode for a driving cycle to count) but if everything is ok it will go out.
Good Luck, let us know what happens. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

 

[NENE_VR6]

Re: Malfunction Indicator Light Came On... (golf strom)

Thank You So Much For The Info Golf Strom

http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

...
My car is now normal, I've started it today and everything looks and feels normal, exept for the malfunction light... You answered exactly what I was trying to find out... I don't think I'll unplug my battery cause it will cause me more hassle just to get the code... As well I'm scared about screwing my ECU so I'm considering other solutions...
I wanted to ask you if I may, when you tell me about the car warming up for the cycles:
The car must warm up and be in closed loop mode for a driving cycle to count
Does that mean that I have to drive the car??? or just started and let it sit there On... The reason I ask this, is that I don't really understand that closed loop thing (Pardon my stupidity)...
I though the light would automatically go out after I restarted the car, seeing it's normal again, but nothing happened, always the light... In any case, Thank you very much for the info, you gave me hope my car will be alryght, cause trust me, I've been almost crying for my baby

... Thanks again and get back to me on this please... Later...

 

[golf strom]

Re: Malfunction Indicator Light Came On... (NENE_VR6)

I'm glad I could be of help. First, do not fear damaging your ECU if in fact you do have to disconnect your batt. However, I would recommend that if at all possible you get your radio code so that if you do need to disconnect batt. you will be prepared. Secondly, open and closed loop functioning is related to emissions controls used in your car. Open loop= O2 sensors are not being used by the car to achieve lowest emissions and best engine performance. However, this is the mode the car is usually in during cold start and warm up. Closed loop= O2 sensors in use so car achieves best fuel/ air mixture. Car is at normal operating temp.
Much more complex than stated here but not necessary for our use. I would recommend that you not just let the car idle. Go out and drive, that way ECU sees all the sensors in use as would be normal over a period of time on the road , not just a steady idle. Drive for at least 20 minutes.
Again, I would be patient, it may take quite a number of driving cycles for the ECU to confirm that there is not a problem. One other note: if the check engine light does flash on and off during driving you must have the car checked by a professional. The flashing light indicates that damage could be done to the catalytic converter. Not trying to scare you just trying to inform you. If you have any other questions feel free to ask. Always happy to help a neighbour to the North.

[Modified by golf strom, 9:08 PM 2-13-2002]