What Could my check engine light mean?

What Could my check engine light mean?

Every time I fill up my 2007 Volkswagen Passat, the check engine light comes on. After a day or two, the light goes off. It happens with all gas stations, not just the "cheap" ones. I have to go in for my oil change in the next week ir so, will the dealership know about this problem? Does anyone know what it could be? Do I let them know its happening so they can run a computer test on it?

Asked by: Rob @ 2009-07-29 09:02:07

Answers ::
Screw the gas cap on until you hear a click. You can screw it tight, can't you sweetie!

Nancy S

it could be because you need an oil changge.

lionsays4

Just tell them: they can read the on-board computer for failure codes. Just let them show them to you.

M

it might mean you should have your engine looked at?

Jared M

Maybe you should go to where they check yur engine and ask

Mike

yea the dealership can figure it out, but if you bring it to advance auto they'll check it for you free of charge. you may want to get it checked before then.

chickenjoe

it could be simply malfunctioning of the engine has a problem or trans. i think you may need to put premium fuel in you car and arn't which is why it happens at gas stations. also is it diesel??? if it says TDI then im pretty sure it is...

lee

it might be to do with exhaust emissions(hole in muffler, leaks ect). Happens usually to older cars- But should be nothing to worry about.

kay

It could mean thousands of different things. If your car has an obdII port you can check exactly why it came on with one of these.

http://www.obdcom.com/?gclid=CPv4g_ql-5sCFRlcagodk0QS_w

Mark

In MOST cars, the check engine light is an indication of a bad signal from one of the electronic components.

Most of the time, this is a sensor somewhere.

If the engine performance changes when the light comes on, one of those sensors/components is in the circuits that run the engine and requires immediate attention.

If there is no change in performance, it is most likely a sensor in the emissions control system. While this means you're probably wasting fuel or your engine is polluting more than necessary, it is not a critical problem.

In either case the only way to be sure is to have it diagnosed at a shop, where they have equipment to connect to your engine and get the codes for the error to determine the precise problem.

I've got a Toyota P.U. with this problem, and here is what I do. The check engine light comes on from time to time due to a gas tank pressure sensor; when it raises in altitude (goes up a hill) the check engine light comes on. It's not a critical problem, and doesn't happen all the time. So when I stop the truck, I disconnect the truck's onboard computer by detaching the three computer cables for five seconds, then re-connect them. This resets the computer and the check engine light goes off for 2 days to a week. Someday I'll get it fixed, but it's more annoying than critical.

doumbek

is 5'7 too tall to drive a VW beetle convertible?

my sister thinks that i am too tall to drive in one......i want this type of car for my 1st car and i have never been inside of one so i wouldnt know if i am too tall (T^T)

Asked by: OU @ 2009-07-27 19:45:11

Answers ::
its a convertible... there is no height limit...

buds

I have a friend that's 6'5" and fits in his wife's VW hardtop, so you'll have no problem at all.

G T

nope

Mr.Goodwrench

The sky's the limit - literally.

tennistephen

Hardly.. you will easily fit into the car. (I assume your concern is your hair sticking up above the windflow).

(BTW) it is not your overall height that is the issue, it is the length of your torso from the hips up. (Some people have short legs in comparison to their overall body height). But 5'7" is easily in the comfortable range..

.

ca_surveyor

Well I'm 6'1 and my friend's 1971 Convertible is fine. So no, you are not too tall.

Prime

Good name for a volkswagon?

My mom just bought a new car, and she wants to name it. (i know its weird.) Do you have any good names for a small silver car?

Asked by: Carl @ 2009-07-28 10:04:20

[Best Answer]I named my small car. Alice. I thought it was just a really good name for a car. I named it alice because of Alice cullen, But alice anyways is a great name for a car.

By : Kelly @ 1248805916

Answers ::
stove

ken k

Vanna White=VW

soccerkidnumber88

I named my small car. Alice. I thought it was just a really good name for a car. I named it alice because of Alice cullen, But alice anyways is a great name for a car.

Kelly

My father used to have a silver car back in the early 90s. He called it "Silver Bullet"

When I was in my early 20s a friend of mine wanted to buy a volkswagon beetle and paint it red with black dots and call it "Ladybug". She bought a different car instead though.

Amber K

silveria

Gerry

I named my 70 bug "Prudence"

Jack D

I need some info on a volkswagon beetle i want to restore any kind really.?

Hi my name is Lucas Maldonado I am 14 1/2 and will be 16 in a year and a half. I am in to cars only classics and a few new 2010 cars. So my dad said i can restore a volkswagon bug at the age of 16 yrs old. So i am starting to look up info so I no what I need to restore the vw.

Like what is the best year: I think 1971, 72, what is your answer:
What good engine: I want it power full but stock as can be:
How much should I spend on it for a good one that needs work but not major work:
And what other info that can help me thanks:

Asked by: luke @ 2009-07-27 19:25:51

[Best Answer]OK Lucas..here are some guides for a 'first timer'

1) Look for a VW from '66 or later. That will give you a 12 volt system and eliminate the problem of finding replacment parts for the older 6 volt one.

2) Look for a good shell with a transmission (and maybe an engine). The shell should be free of rust. Look for rust in the door frames and under the car... If it is badly rusted pass on it because it is either hard or expensive (or both) to repair it. A rotted out battery panel (under the rear seat) is different.. and is easier to fix.

3) Check the front end for repaired damage. Its not hard to fix, but for a first time project you would be better to skip it.

4) If you get a superbeetle after 72, look for rust and rot below the rear window near the vents... if it is there skip it.. also hard to fix.

5) Everything else is repairable and repaintable..

6) Engine.. go stock 1600. It is a workhorse engine that, if taken care of routinely, will last a loooooong time. In California, stay under 73 when all the extra emission package sucked up power.

7) If you pull the engine, install a new clutch and throwout bearing as a routine step. Its easy to do and avoids having to pull the engine if they fail.

8) Buy a good book.. there were plenty of them written in the 70's and available on eBay or in used bookstores. They are great referenes on how to and what to...

good luck with your project... you have two years to build it, but buy the shell now.. prices are going UP.. not down.

.

By : ca_surveyor @ 1248801364

Answers ::
i had a 73 super beetle when i was 16. fun car but no a/c in AZ makes for brutal summers.

I would suggest you try and get a '67 beetle. they are the easiest to work on suspension wise and one of the most popular years, also no emissions to worry about depending on where you live.

You want to start with a dual-port 1600cc engine and you can tune it and do small bolt-ons from there.

As far as buying one and having money left over, I'm not sure of your budget. I purchased mine in 04 for about $2400 and it was in complete working order. I would say go no higher than $3000 and you should be able to get something that is in pretty good shape.

Look for rust in all the usual places, lift up the backseat to check the battery area, check the spare tire well, ask about the floor pans.. etc.

Here are some websites you should become a member on...
www.vwvortex.com - all ranges of dubs
www.thesamba.com - strictly air-cooleds

edizzle

if you want to restore a bug go with a 57-66 they look better restored..

If i were you Id start restoring it now then by the time your 16 itll be done. A decent bug will be anywhere fron $700- $2000. If your looking for a bug that doesnt need major work then make sure that the pan has minimal rust. Repairing the pan will take awhile to fix . As for the engine, a 1600cc duel port will give you enough power but if you want a little more then id go with a 1776 or 1914cc engine witha a good set of carbs.

Jack D

best place to look and buy for restoration will junk yards you can find a good body and floorpan. then comes the engine and transmission also junkyards are good the rest you can buy new or used from any where. the 1600cc was the most common so it'll be easiest to find parts.

Chris J

OK Lucas..here are some guides for a 'first timer'

1) Look for a VW from '66 or later. That will give you a 12 volt system and eliminate the problem of finding replacment parts for the older 6 volt one.

2) Look for a good shell with a transmission (and maybe an engine). The shell should be free of rust. Look for rust in the door frames and under the car... If it is badly rusted pass on it because it is either hard or expensive (or both) to repair it. A rotted out battery panel (under the rear seat) is different.. and is easier to fix.

3) Check the front end for repaired damage. Its not hard to fix, but for a first time project you would be better to skip it.

4) If you get a superbeetle after 72, look for rust and rot below the rear window near the vents... if it is there skip it.. also hard to fix.

5) Everything else is repairable and repaintable..

6) Engine.. go stock 1600. It is a workhorse engine that, if taken care of routinely, will last a loooooong time. In California, stay under 73 when all the extra emission package sucked up power.

7) If you pull the engine, install a new clutch and throwout bearing as a routine step. Its easy to do and avoids having to pull the engine if they fail.

8) Buy a good book.. there were plenty of them written in the 70's and available on eBay or in used bookstores. They are great referenes on how to and what to...

good luck with your project... you have two years to build it, but buy the shell now.. prices are going UP.. not down.

.

ca_surveyor

I just bought a 1973 vw bug, where can I find seat covers?

Does anyone know of a good place or website that I can get some seat covers and steering will cover for? It would be greatly appreciated!

Asked by: Cupcake87 @ 2009-07-28 21:03:30

Answers ::
E-BAY

deby k

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=73+vw+seat+covers&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

JD

http://www.jbugs.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=10261

http://dansperformanceparts.com/buggy/interior/seat%20covers.htm

http://www.bfyobsoleteparts.com/seat-parts-c-62.html

http://www.kustom1warehouse.net/category_s/234.htm

http://www.chircoestore.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=261

these are just a few that i could think of off the top of my head. Good luck and welcome to the VW community

Jack D

just go buy some a autozone or a local auto parts store. oh heck even walmart sells auto accessories like that.

p.s. I own a '73 beetle too, aren't they awesome!

~Drac

Drac

What do you think about the old vw bugs?

I was looking at an old car to do a minor restore on when I turn 16. I found really the most practical car would be a Volkswagen Beetle. Its economical, cheap to buy, lots of parts still available, but is this kinda a lame car for a 16 year old guy?

Asked by: wmswilson1 @ 2009-07-28 21:01:52

Answers ::
Honestly, you can make any car look good, whether its a Beetle or not. I've seen some pretty sick old Beetles at my school. It all depends on how you make it look.

MammaMia!

Bugs are so easy to hop up. I had a 66 that turned 13.78 in the quarter when I was a kid.

Headers, larger carb are easy to install - and if you want to increase CC's you just add bigger cylinders. They are a blst to work on, and being air cooled you don't have to worry about coolant leaks.

Tim B

youll always get comments from people saying how they had a bug back in the day and that they miss them. Youll learn alot about cars with one of these and if you have a small budget then this will work out perfectly.

Jack D

it isn't lame at all. i'm 20, i just bought a '73 beetle to restore, within FIVE minutes of driving down the road i had people commenting at stoplights about how i had such and awesome old car ^_^

so no, it isn't lame don't worry. besides, the old beetles are super easy to work on. can rebuild entire engine in a day by yourself. I would suggest renting the "how to keep your Volkswagen alive forever" book from a library or somewhere and reading it if you want to work on old beetles. helped me fix mine right up!

~Drac

Drac

How much does a water pump cost for a 2001 jetta?

We'd be doing the job, not a mechanic, how much does a water pump cost?

Asked by: Dylan 1986 @ 2009-07-27 20:22:07

Answers ::
The one that's in there right now is half plastic. They make an all metel version. We sell it for 140 bucks. Difffenitely want to do the upgrade.

Evil O

60 some bucks at auto zone or advence auto parts,also simullar prices at napa parts.

JOHNNY C

Avoid Autozone and Advanced Autoparts for VW stuff, and usually quality auto parts in general. Carquest sold me a water pump that is made by a manufacturer that supplies VW with some of it's factory equipment.

However, if you are doing a water pump, you should do the timing belt and components, as you might know. There are a few places to buy a whole kit that will include everything you need. Here is where one of the most popular places to buy the kit, and also the place where I bought mine. Just select which engine you have and search for timing belt.

www.ecstuning.com


Good luck! Email me with any questions.

eten_23

$50 or $75 depending on the manufacturer.

Pavlovian_Dogs