MattyT Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 The check engine light came on in my fiancee's 1999 1/2 VW Jetta. She took it in to a local garage that she has been to before a number of times and liked. I figured that she would get dinged on some part and labor charge because a check engine light is always an opportunity for a garage to take your money right? A check engine light w/o an associated cost is a rare occurance. As expected they told her that she needed two parts. OK fine. So anyway, we drove down to Danbury CT last weekend for a wedding and before we got to Syracuse (from Rochester) the check engine light comes back on. Crap. We get back from the wedding and she calls the garage and they tell her to bring it in for another diagnostic. This time its an oxygen sensor, which they replace and only charge for the parts. This is starting to hurt a bit more but we're happy to not pay labor. This brings us to today. She picks up her car from the garage (newly "fixed") and she drives out to Victor (probably 5 miles from the garage) for an appointment. Before she even gets to her destination, the damn light is back on. I want to call the garage and explain the situation but I really don't want her to go back there for further work unless they give us free parts AND labor this time (fat chance). We are also considering disputing the charges for the work that has already been done with her credit card company. Any advice on what the problem might be and how to proceed? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EndZoneCrew Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 take it to Rayzors auto repair on Rt. 5.....he's a good mechanic and he probably is the only one to get escorted off of the ralph's field in handcuffs for impersonating a security guard very funny true story Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska Darin Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 The check engine light came on in my fiancee's 1999 1/2 VW Jetta. She took it in to a local garage that she has been to before a number of times and liked. I figured that she would get dinged on some part and labor charge because a check engine light is always an opportunity for a garage to take your money right? A check engine light w/o an associated cost is a rare occurance. As expected they told her that she needed two parts. OK fine. So anyway, we drove down to Danbury CT last weekend for a wedding and before we got to Syracuse (from Rochester) the check engine light comes back on. Crap. We get back from the wedding and she calls the garage and they tell her to bring it in for another diagnostic. This time its an oxygen sensor, which they replace and only charge for the parts. This is starting to hurt a bit more but we're happy to not pay labor. This brings us to today. She picks up her car from the garage (newly "fixed") and she drives out to Victor (probably 5 miles from the garage) for an appointment. Before she even gets to her destination, the damn light is back on. I want to call the garage and explain the situation but I really don't want her to go back there for further work unless they give us free parts AND labor this time (fat chance). We are also considering disputing the charges for the work that has already been done with her credit card company. Any advice on what the problem might be and how to proceed? Thanks. 61987[/snapback] What were the parts required the first time? Were they related to the oxygen sensor in any way (i.e. fuel system/exhaust)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frez Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 Sounds like they are guessing at what's causing the engine light to come on. I don't think there's much you can do about it. You can try raising hell with the service department and see what they say. Is your gas cap on tight? When you fill up your gas tank if the gas cap is not sealing correctly it will cause your check engine light to come on. You can also try disconnecting your negative (black) battery terminal and this should reset the engine light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRC Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 The check engine light came on in my fiancee's 1999 1/2 VW Jetta. She took it in to a local garage that she has been to before a number of times and liked. I figured that she would get dinged on some part and labor charge because a check engine light is always an opportunity for a garage to take your money right? A check engine light w/o an associated cost is a rare occurance. As expected they told her that she needed two parts. OK fine. So anyway, we drove down to Danbury CT last weekend for a wedding and before we got to Syracuse (from Rochester) the check engine light comes back on. Crap. We get back from the wedding and she calls the garage and they tell her to bring it in for another diagnostic. This time its an oxygen sensor, which they replace and only charge for the parts. This is starting to hurt a bit more but we're happy to not pay labor. This brings us to today. She picks up her car from the garage (newly "fixed") and she drives out to Victor (probably 5 miles from the garage) for an appointment. Before she even gets to her destination, the damn light is back on. I want to call the garage and explain the situation but I really don't want her to go back there for further work unless they give us free parts AND labor this time (fat chance). We are also considering disputing the charges for the work that has already been done with her credit card company. Any advice on what the problem might be and how to proceed? Thanks. 61987[/snapback] You might want to take it to the dealer. You can usually get a little more leverage with the manufacturer, if the delaer repeatedly does not fix the problem. Trust me, it happened with me on my Ford Explorer. After the third time of going to the dealer for the same problem, and not getting results, I went to the manufacturer. They came down hard on the dealer, and the dealer fixed it right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gavin in Va Beach Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 My wife has a Passat. So far she hasn't had any major problems (knocking on wood). My only suggestion is to take it to the dealer. VW's are tricky SOB's and it's best to have people working on them that work on them everyday. You may love that garage, but really how many VW's do they work on in a week? Do they have the right diagnostic equipment? The staff trained specifically in VW repair? The dealer offers peace of mind, even if it might be a tad more expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweet baboo Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 check http://www.myvwlemon.com this is a common problem for Jettas and once it starts up, it appears as though it cannot be fixed...my suggestion, trade it in for something else and save money and headaches in other news, my friend's 2003 jetta died last month...he said it had all the problems described on the website and couldn't be fixed under warranty...so he goes ahead does what any smart person would do...he buys another jetta with the problematic 1.8T engine guess what, check engine light is on again from the forum trade it in!!!I got 15K for my 2003 GLS. Now it's the dealers problem!! I went back to the same dealership but got a Honda from them! hahaha. Their problem now!! It's been nearly 2 months since I traded it off. I am still basking in the warm glow of freeeeedom!!!That car was eating my immortal soul. Buy another new VW? I'd rather have the spanking, sir. Lucky you! I would like to get rid of mine, but I am afraid to sell it-- in fear of the new owner would come back and shoot me! http://www.myvwlemon.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001260.html VW is the proud owner of myvwlemon and vwsucks as far as I know, no other auto manafacturer has sites like this (not even ford ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyT Posted October 8, 2004 Author Share Posted October 8, 2004 The first trip to the garage resulted in new plugs, removal and cleaning of the Mass Airflow Meter, and new fuel filter. Thanks. EDIT: Also, she bought it used from a dealer w/ appx 35,000 mi. It's got 51000 on it now. Is it likely that she has any leverage w/the dealer or VW at this point? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevestojan Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 The check engine light will also come on if THE GAS CAP ISNT SECURLY TIGHTENED (that has happened to me). Make sure you check that... Fill up the tank, and screw the cap on til it clicks. Read the last paragraph here: http://www.carcarecouncil.org/Emission_Control/gas_cap.shtml Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweet baboo Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 not really...though if it has a ridiculous amount of problems, the dealer might give you a really good trade in value for it and a good amount off of a new car (just hope they carry more than VWs) the 5 year 60k mile warranty is still valid right? or no The check engine light will also come on if THE GAS CAP ISNT SECURLY TIGHTENED (that has happened to me). Make sure you check that... Fill up the tank, and screw the cap on til it clicks. Read the last paragraph here: http://www.carcarecouncil.org/Emission_Control/gas_cap.shtml 62086[/snapback] trust me, on VWs, the problem is far worse than screwing on the gas cap tightly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thailog80 Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 Always ask for the old parts back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. Rich Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 Always ask for the old parts back. 62092[/snapback] Why not? They do. When I had to replace my brakes, I had to buy new calipers. In order to get their special price, I had to return the old calipers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuckincincy Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 The 1.8T has 4 ignition coils, 1 for each cyl. They have been a problen - a failure will signal a light-up of the check light. The gas cap item mentioned above can be a cause - it affected my 1998 chevy S-10 pick-up after 6 years. The coil issue hurt VW bad, as did Toyota's 1997-2001 3-million motor blow-ups and Honda's recent 5-sp auto trans replacements. I worked in auto for many years - today's vehicles, which are supurb, are SO complicated... http://forums.newbeetle.org/showthread.php?threadid=22852 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tatonka12 Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 The check engine light came on in my fiancee's 1999 1/2 VW Jetta. She took it in to a local garage that she has been to before a number of times and liked. I figured that she would get dinged on some part and labor charge because a check engine light is always an opportunity for a garage to take your money right? A check engine light w/o an associated cost is a rare occurance. As expected they told her that she needed two parts. OK fine. So anyway, we drove down to Danbury CT last weekend for a wedding and before we got to Syracuse (from Rochester) the check engine light comes back on. Crap. We get back from the wedding and she calls the garage and they tell her to bring it in for another diagnostic. This time its an oxygen sensor, which they replace and only charge for the parts. This is starting to hurt a bit more but we're happy to not pay labor. This brings us to today. She picks up her car from the garage (newly "fixed") and she drives out to Victor (probably 5 miles from the garage) for an appointment. Before she even gets to her destination, the damn light is back on. I want to call the garage and explain the situation but I really don't want her to go back there for further work unless they give us free parts AND labor this time (fat chance). We are also considering disputing the charges for the work that has already been done with her credit card company. Any advice on what the problem might be and how to proceed? Thanks. 61987[/snapback] sounds like a bunch of parts changers (keep changing the most common parts until the fix the problem) unfortunaly it sounds like their lack of proper diagnostic skills is at your expence BASTARDS :I starred in Brokeback Mountain: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweet baboo Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 just go through the forum the CEL issues are endless http://www.myvwlemon.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001340.html http://www.myvwlemon.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001287.html http://www.myvwlemon.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001301.html http://www.myvwlemon.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001273.html http://www.myvwlemon.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001257.html http://www.myvwlemon.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001243.html http://www.myvwlemon.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001236.html http://www.myvwlemon.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001188.html (talk about class action suit) http://www.myvwlemon.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001200.html http://www.myvwlemon.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001205.html http://www.myvwlemon.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001197.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gantrules Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 Ignore it. They are lights rigged to keep service tech's in business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thailog80 Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 Ignore it. They are lights rigged to keep service tech's in business. 62108[/snapback] Idiot lights I always heard them referred to as. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweet baboo Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 Ignore it. They are lights rigged to keep service tech's in business. 62108[/snapback] not when the car is under warranty and you don't have to pay for it the cars seriously have major issues i can't fathom why people continue to buy them the cars look good on the outside, interiors are amazing, but the reliability of the car has got to be the worst ever Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erynthered Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 The 1.8T has 4 ignition coils, 1 for each cyl. They have been a problen - a failure will signal a light-up of the check light. The gas cap item mentioned above can be a cause - it affected my 1998 chevy S-10 pick-up after 6 years. The coil issue hurt VW bad, as did Toyota's 1997-2001 3-million motor blow-ups and Honda's recent 5-sp auto trans replacements. I worked in auto for many years - today's vehicles, which are supurb, are SO complicated... http://forums.newbeetle.org/showthread.php?threadid=22852 62100[/snapback] Nice post Cincy, My brother works for Corp. VW, I believe I've told you that. They had issued recalls on them, but didnt have enough parts for the recall. BIG mess. Longer story, but I think you know it already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyT Posted October 8, 2004 Author Share Posted October 8, 2004 Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm going to root through the links that collegeguy provided and probably take it to the dealer and explain to them in very specific terms what the situation is, see what our warrenty options are, and then take it to VW corporate if everything else doesn't pan out. My amateur diagnosis is that it may be a faulty MAF. It looks like they were recalled at some point. Other points of interest: - We have encountered the gas cap issue once already and make sure that the bastard is on there good. - She has the 2.0L engine rather than the 1.8 Turbo so the ignition coil problem doesn't likely apply Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts