Have not ran any codes yet, will be doing that tomorrow, but as far as conditions outside..-6 degree weather so pretty fricken cold. Car seems like it is running fine, no rough idle, cold engine start seems like it was working right, will check that agian in the morning as well. Only thing i think i found was in the maintenance records from the original owner, i noticed back in 9/23/10 he had the timing belt/waterpump/ and a few other things replaced, but had a note that the 02 sensor 1 was not working or reading...possibly could it be this?

Will post codes tomorrow after i run them. Real quick...can i just go to autozone and use one of their OBDII code readers, or do I have to have a special tool to read? Also was reading a little about VAG COM's...anyone have a recommendation on what i should get for that? Are Ebay ones ok and just purchase the ross-tech software?

cheers,


-F

 

Any OBD-II code reader will work, you don't need a VAG-COM (although you'll probably want one for other reasons).

 

Correct on all assumptions - eBay vag cable works fine. Autozone will scan your car free of charge but will not reset the light. The free shareware vagcom is probably fine (works great for me). Try that first (the USB409 version is what I have) and purchase the unlocked version if you decide later that you need it.

 

Wel I guess i will just purchase a 20 dollar Vag com cable off ebay. There was a local guy selling his for 100 with the software/key but i think its already gone. Is there a way to clear the check engine light with the OBD II sensor from Autozone?

I guess its not that big of a deal because the car seems like it is not in limp mode, i feel i still have power.

 

FWIW, I bought a code scanner from Pep Boys (Actron 9180, I think) and it will clear the codes. I didn't go with a VAG-COM b/c I don't have a laptop, so even if I went with a $20 cable I'd still have to shell out $300 or so for something to plug it into :/

My CEL comes in intermittently, pretty sure it's just a cracked vacuum line (code is always 17519, "too lean"), although it could be a bad/dirty O2 sensor. I still have full power.

 

Just took it over to AutoZone... code was P0135 (heater condition (heated oxygen sensor bank sensor 1) The powertrain control module monitors the oxygen sensor heater. The computer has recognized a failure in the circuit) Probable cause: o2 sensor defective ; Poor connection at o2 sensor; Check circuit fuse.

Now coming back to the grocery store the light went off...I wonder if its due to this -5 degree weather we are having here. Anyways, going to check it out. Possibly just a bad o2 sensor...but weird that the light turned off.

What is sensor 1? is that pre-cat or behind cat?

 

95% it's a bad sensor. Sensor 1 is pre-cat, right behind the turbo. Sensor 2 is post-cat, down where it's a pain in the *** to reach.

 

Thanks man, so its pretty simple to swap in a new sensor? heading up to the mountains for a few days so probably wont get to it until I get back.