Volkswagen: VW Passat Wagon, passat wagon, vacuum hose

Question
I recently had my brakes replaced. When I picked up the car from my mechanic the stereo didn't work. I took it back and he did a computer check. He said there were so many error messages that he didn't know where to start. He said it could break down at any time, lock me out, etc. The check engine light had been on intermittently before that but after I had the brakes replaced, it's been on constantly. The car seems ok besides the engine light. Any ideas?

Answer
About the stereo, were you getting the SAFE message on the display?  That will happen any time that the battery is disconnected.  On 2000 and newer models, it will reset itself after one day.  On earlier models, you must enter a 4 digit code found in the radio manual.  It's on a card in the front.  If you lost the card, the dealer can get you the code.  Do not let them charge you.  It says in the manual that they should give it free of charge.

As far as the codes stored in the ECU, don't let your mechanic scare you.  However there is something wrong with the car if codes are stored.  Two things you should be aware of.  If the check engine light flashes on and off, stop driving the car.  If the engine does anything abnormal- funny idle, strange noises, loss of power, loss of control, etc, don't drive it.  Did he give you a list of the codes?  If so, post them here and we'll see what we can figure out.  Sometimes something as simple as a cracked vacuum hose can generate a dozen codes.

Rob