HI I have a 2002 2.0 vw beetle, I had only had it a few days when the check emmisions light came on, I returned it to the garage I bought it, they told me they had fixed it. The light came back on last week but went out after a day, it is now on again. The car runs and sounds fine. please help?
Cars & Trucks - Volkswagen - Beetle - 2001 Volkswagen Beetle
Answers & Comments
The emissions light will come on when an O2 sensor picks up, or gives out a bad signal. The functionality of the O2 sensors are easily checked with an OBD2 scanner or VAG scanner. If they are within tolerances, then the issue will be in how the car is burning oxygen/fuel. It could be a faulty spark plug or wire, but the engine would normally come up with a misfire code. The MAF (mass air fow sensor) could be dirty from a dirty air filter, and sending out faulse readings. You can remove it from the air filter housing, and give it a good cleaning with a can of electrical cleaner. Never touch it. It is a small spring sensor, and very sensitive.
Check your gas cap to make sure it is sealing to allow for a good vaccuum.
This place needs to fix this problem for you since it is related to the SMOG system. The seller is responsible for that part to work, even if the rest of the car does not. It cannot pass a SMOG test with this light on. It isn't going to help your car in the long run either.
A scan tool will give you a code, and a place to start. If you can't get one, then maybe the garage will tell you what the code was. Then you can post it here for help on a solution.
Good Luck.