Need Help from Car Gurus

[KevinH]

Hey,

My check engine light has come on recently and I was wondering if there's a way to reset the light? I have a 1999 VW Jetta...I need help fast!

 

[shabby]

You can try disconnecting the negative battery terminal for a couple of minutes, but odd's are the check engine light is gonna come back.
Go to a dealer and see whats causing it to light up.

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: shabby
You can try disconnecting the negative battery terminal for a couple of minutes, but odd's are the check engine light is gonna come back.
Go to a dealer and see whats causing it to light up.

This is correct.

 

[rh71]

Don't you want to know what the problem is ?

As an aside, is it true that some car makers actually make the light come on purposely around X miles just so you can go in for a tune-up-type of check ?

 

[Spac3d]

Originally posted by: rh71
Don't you want to know what the problem is ?

As an aside, is it true that some car makers actually make the light come on purposely around X miles just so you can go in for a tune-up-type of check ?

 

[KingNothing]

FWIW, in BMW 3-series (possibly other cars as well) the check engine light will come on if the gas cap is not screwed on all the way.

 

[KevinH]

Just tried it. It didn't work 🙁 . Any other suggetions? Is there a fuse or something?

 

[KevinH]

Originally posted by: rh71
Don't you want to know what the problem is ?

As an aside, is it true that some car makers actually make the light come on purposely around X miles just so you can go in for a tune-up-type of check ?

I know what the problem is. It's a long story...I'll take care of the problem later but I need to make the engine light go away ASAP. In case you're wondering it's a problem with the O2 sensor...which this stupid piece of crap excuse for a car was ALREADY taken into for a recall. I am starting a new job on Monday and I want to take care of my registration, etc. before I start it so ideally I want this taken care of in a few days.

 

[joburnet]

Don't go to a dealer, go to an advanced auto parts. They can tell you what the code is and erase it for free.

 

[HannibalX]

Originally posted by: shabby
You can try disconnecting the negative battery terminal for a couple of minutes, but odd's are the check engine light is gonna come back.
Go to a dealer and see whats causing it to light up.

This is just going to reset the computer and the light will come back. It could be a dirt O2 sensory, dirty MAF sensor, the car could be running rich or lean. Some cars can even detect a misfire and will drop a code every time a miss fire occures. I know where I am at we pull codes for free, so does AutoZone, Pep Boys so check them out and they can pull the codes for you.

 

[HappyPuppy]

My check engine light kept coming on for several months. It would never come on when I took to a mechanic, though. One day I was checking my fluids and belts with the engine running and I heard a faint whistling sound. I dug around and found a vacuum line that had rotted and come loose. I replaced it and the light has never come on since.

Moral of the story: Check everything you can think of before going to a mechanic or a dealer.

 

[KevinH]

I hear Autozone doesn't check engine light for free anymore? Can anyone verify this?

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: KevinH
I hear Autozone doesn't check engine light for free anymore? Can anyone verify this?

when the internet was invented, did everyone forget how to use a phone?

 

[KevinH]

Yes 🙂.

 

[halik]

Go to a local car shop (any decent one) and ask them to do OBD-2 reading. All cars after 1996 haave to have obd-2 connector (under steering column) that will give you the error code for your car. Everytime CEL comes on, there is an error coming from some sensor to the ECU. The shop should give you a description of the error.