emmisions light has come on....help.

[nannyliz]

I have a 2001 VW beetle


The engine emmisions warning light has come and i obviously checked the handbook which says to "immediately " take the car to your nearest VW garage.

Can i drive the car????? Is it safe????

thanks in advance

[blakey77]

You can drive the car, but ideally you need to have it scanned for faults. This fault is likely to be an oxygen sensor failed, but could be something as simple as an air leak.

[nannyliz]

The light went off a day later so i thought it would be okay and then suddenly came back on a week later.
I'm going to book it in and fingers crossed it won't be too expensive
Thank you:D

[Olly3]

You have my sympathy, I have the same problem but have had it for longer. My story is:
- Check engine (emmissions) light came on
- Replaced downstream oxygen sensor - light still on
- Car failed MoT - emmissions level too high
- Diagnostic computer says problem is the other oxygen sensor
- Garage replaced upstream oxygen sensor - light goes off
- Car passes MoT
- 400 miles later light comes back on
- Garage says computer now says engine running too rich, they reset light and it stays off
- 600 miles later light back on!!

Any ideas to sort this gratefully received

Olly3

[blakey77]

Ideally the car needs have a couple of tests done using VAGCOM or similar, but otherwise my next suggestion would be to replace the MAF.

[Olly3]

Thanks Blakey 77. I see that VAGCOM can be bought cheaply on ebay. Is it easy to use?

Olly 3