Volkswagen: New battery Installation/Check Engine light, worse case scenario, vw jetta

Question
I have a 2003 VW Jetta 2.0L. It has about 39k on it. Just recently, about a week ago, I took the car to get its oil changed and I ended up having to get a new battery because apparently it died at the shop. However, I had a friend install the battery and today the check engine came on. The car runs fine , I sense nothing different about that way it runs. I just turned it on this evening and the light came on. What gives???????????

Answer
Hi Lily

1) Take off the gas cap and put it back on.  Start car, and see if light goes off.

2) Bring it back to the shop/dealer where you had the oil done.  The 'check engine' light may need to be turned off with a special plug they have at VW or local repair shops.

3) Worse case scenario, the Oxygen Sensor could have went, which activates that light.  If that is the case, don't worry, they are not that expensive.

Thinking it out, it may be best to bring it to a dealer.  They will probably try to reset the light for free.  They would be the most efficient putting in a new O2 sensor, should you need one.

In very rare cases, its the catalytic converter, but your car is too new.

Good luck and keep me posted.