Question-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
I brought my car to be maintenanced at 45550 miles by my mechanic-same I always use. He assured me belts and all other items were fine. The check engine light went off at exactly 55450 miles last week. I returned to him, he placed on computer and it read 102 yellow-so he checked the sensor plug under the hood and plugged back in...all was fine for the rest of the week. That following Sat evening, the check engine light went off again...any insight on why this is happening? I have to commute from New Orleans to Baton Rouge LA each week due to the two hurricanes impact on the city....is this a defect or should i take it back again and have it checked once more? Do others complain of the same?
Answer -
Hi Sedette,
This is the first mention I have heard of the 2001 Beetle check engine light.
There are 3 general causes for this fault in the Beetle:
1) Your gas cap is not on tight, or the rubber seal on the cap is bad.
2) The oxygen sensor needs replacement.
3) The catalyic converter needs replacement.
Either way, the best way to have this resolved is at a dealer. Note: The 'check engine' light in the 2001 beetle is for emissions. If driven for short periods, it will not damage your engine.
Good Luck, and let me know how you make out.
Ron
hey...me again...ok went to my mechanic this morning and he ran the computer again...PO102..same code again......he looked at your suggestions and agreed on the gas cap, however on the O2 sensor and cat coverter..they have their own codes specific to deficeint activity. Now I am at the MERCY of the VW dealer here in New Orleans..which is TERRIBLE at customer service.....they cant see my car until May 15th....which does not help me at all.....all I wanted was to talk to a tech on the phone to see if he/she could give me insight to the code so that I could check on my own w/o having to wait...wait for them to tell me the same thing and charge me out the wazooooo.....VW here is aweful..I hate uing them.....that is why I went to my mechanic after the warrenty expired....any other ideas?
AnswerHi Sedette,
That code (PO102) indicates two possible faults:
1) A bad Manifold Absolute Pressure sensor (MAP Sensor)
I priced online to be around $65.00 - $75.00
http://performance.drivewire.com/airintake/volkswagenbeetlemapsensor.html
2) Mass air flow sensor signal too low
I priced online, but highly doubt this is at fault, as they are pretty reliable, but for your reference around $230.00.
http://replacement.autopartswarehouse.com/parts/autopartswarehouse/wizard.jsp?ye
One important check is to ensure that you are getting good air flow to the Mass Air Sensor. The most simple way to do this is to check that your air filter is replaced.
It could be the most simple resolution.
I hope this information on the code is what you were looking for.
To summarize:
1) Replace the air-filter
2) Have your mechanic test and replace the MAP sensor if necessary.
3) Have your mechanic test and replace/fix the Mass Air Sensor if necessary.
Trouble will be gone.
If the Dealer is giving you that difficult of a time, it is not worth handing them your money. Use your mechanic.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help.
Best of luck,
Ron
